- Filing fee
- $150
- Annual Report & Personal Property Tax Return (Form 1)
- $300
- First-year gov. cost
- $150
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Maryland will accept
Names must contain standard LLC designators. Restricted words require agency clearance.
Search existing Maryland business names before you commit. Maryland naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Referred to as a Resident Agent. Must have a physical address in Maryland.
File the Articles of Organization
Submit it to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) through the official filing portal and pay $150. Base filing fee is $100. Online filings are automatically forced into an expedited tier, requiring a mandatory $50 expedite fee, bringing the realistic online cost to $150.
Processing: online 7-10 business days (with mandatory $50 expedite); by mail 4 to 6 weeks. Expedite: Same-day rush service is available for an additional $325..
Write an operating agreement
Not filed.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Annual Report & Personal Property Tax Return (Form 1) ($300), due Annually on April 15.. Exact late penalty figure is unlisted. Maryland report deadlines.
Every Maryland LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $150 | Base filing fee is $100. Online filings are automatically forced into an expedited tier, requiring a mandatory $50 expedite fee, bringing the realistic online cost to $150. |
| Annual Report & Personal Property Tax Return (Form 1) | $300 | annual, Annually on April 15. |
| Minimum state tax | $300 | Owed regardless of income |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 | 30 days |
| Change of registered agent | $25 | Fee to change the resident agent is $25. |
| Amendment | $100 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $20 | |
| Foreign Limited Liability Company Registration | $100 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Articles of Cancellation | $0 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $25 | state |
How Maryland compares nationally
- Maryland's filing fee of $150 is the 13th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Maryland's first-year government cost of $150 is the 16th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Maryland's yearly cost after that of $300 is the 8th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) costs $150 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Maryland street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before Maryland's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Maryland fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $150 | $0 |
| Northwest | $189 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $150 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
No specific minimum franchise tax, but the $300 Annual Report effectively acts as one. Physical assets owned by the LLC may be taxed at the county level. Standard pass-through income is subjected to individual income tax.
What's different about Maryland
- SDAT handles filings rather than a Secretary of State.
- Online portal's forced $50 expedite fee essentially makes the true online formation cost $150.
- Strict 60-day window to correct rejected documents without paying a second filing fee.
More Maryland LLC guides
Maryland LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Maryland?
The State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) charges $150 to file the Articles of Organization. Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $150 in government fees ($150 for the first year (assuming online filing).).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Maryland?
Online: 7-10 business days (with mandatory $50 expedite). By mail: 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited: Same-day rush service is available for an additional $325..
Does a Maryland LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. Maryland requires the Annual Report & Personal Property Tax Return (Form 1), which costs $300, filed annual. Due: Annually on April 15.. Exact late penalty figure is unlisted.
Can I be my own registered agent in Maryland?
Usually, if you meet the requirements. Referred to as a Resident Agent. Must have a physical address in Maryland. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Maryland require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Maryland has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Maryland?
Not filed.
What taxes does a Maryland LLC pay to the state?
No specific minimum franchise tax, but the $300 Annual Report effectively acts as one. Physical assets owned by the LLC may be taxed at the county level. Standard pass-through income is subjected to individual income tax.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: ra.self allowed, report.late penalty.