How much is an LLC in Maryland? 💰

It costs $155 to start an LLC in Maryland. 

Maryland LLC Cost: How do I get started? 🙋

You have to file Limited Liability Company Articles of Organization to start an LLC in Maryland. This document must be sent to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). You can do this online, in person, or by mail, but the filing fee must accompany your paperwork. 

Avoid the hassle of submitting paperwork, and let us handle your filings. In as little as five minutes, we can submit your Articles of Organization for you with our Maryland LLC Formation Service. 

What fees go into the total LLC cost in Maryland? 💸

There are several types of Maryland LLC fees you may have to pay when forming your business. We want to point out that any payments made by credit card or PayPal incur a 3% service fee, and payments made via eCheck have a $3.00 service fee. 

Filing Fee

The cost to file the Articles of Organization is $155. The current processing time is six to eight weeks. 

You can pay $50 for expedited processing, and SDAT will review your documents in seven days. SDAT considers documents filed online as expedited, so you’ll pay the $50.00 fee if you file online. If you want to speed up the process even more, for $425, you can have your documents reviewed within three hours of filing. 

Annual Reports

All Maryland LLCs must file an Annual Report. The cost is $300.  

What other Maryland LLC fees should I look out for? 👀

The cost to start a business in Maryland includes more than just the filing fee and annual reporting fee. Let’s look at some other fees you might have to pay. 

LLC Name Reservation

If you have an available business name picked out but you’re not ready to file your Articles of Organization yet, you can reserve the name. For $25, you have the exclusive right to the name you choose for 30 days while you prepare your paperwork. We can help you do this with our Name Reservation Service. 

Trade Name Registration 

Some businesses like to use a different name than the one on file with SDAT. This is known as a trade name, and you can register it for $25. 

Certificate of Status

A Certificate of Status is a document that shows your LLC is in good standing. This means you’ve paid all your taxes and are up-to-date with annual filings. To open a bank account for your LLC or get a business insurance policy, you’ll need to provide a Certificate of Status. 

Business Licenses and Permits

Federal, state, and local governments require most businesses to have permits or licenses to operate. The cost of these licenses depends on the type and how many you need. When you purchase our Business License Report Service, our partners at Avalara will generate a report of all the licenses, permits, and registrations you need to legally run your business. 

For just $0 plus state fees, we can form your Maryland LLC for you in just minutes. No LegalZoom promo code required: Pay just $0 plus filing fees for fast LLC formation in Maryland. 

Are there penalties for paying my fees late in Maryland? ⌛

Yes. There are late filing penalties and interest if you file your LLC’s Annual Report after the April 15th deadline. If you continue failing to pay your fees, SDAT will dissolve your LLC. 

What happens if I can’t pay my filing fee to the Maryland government?🚫

SDAT won’t accept or process anything you file without the appropriate fee. 

Who receives the filing fees for forming my Maryland business? 🏢

The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, Charter Division receives all filing fees. 

What’s the largest fee I will pay when I form my Maryland LLC?

The largest Maryland LLC cost is the $155 filing fee — unless you choose to rush the review process. Then you’ll pay $425 for the rush service. 

What payment methods can I use to pay my LLC or corporation filing fees to the Maryland government? 💳

SDAT accepts payments by credit card, PayPal, eCheck, and regular checks. Just remember, credit cards and PayPal have a 3% service fee, and eChecks have a $3.00 service fee. 

How do I form my LLC in Maryland? 🔧

Name your LLC 📛

The first step in starting an LLC is choosing a business name. While you want something that’s a good representation of your business, the name must meet Maryland’s legal requirements. 

First, the LLC name can’t be similar to that of another business or trade name on file with SDAT.

Second, your business name must include one of the following: 

• Limited Liability Company
• L.L.C.
• LLC
• L.C.
• LC

Once you pick the perfect name, decide if you want to reserve it. You can reserve your business name by filing a Corporate Name Reservation Application, or we can do it for you with our Name Reservation Service. 

Select a Registered Agent🙋

Your LLC must have a resident agent (also known as a “Registered Agent” in other states) to accept service of process for the LLC. The agent must have a permanent physical address in Maryland (no P.O. boxes) and be either a person over 18 or an entity. Your agent also needs to be available during regular business hours to accept important documents. 

If you’re looking for someone to serve this role, consider our Registered Agent Service. We satisfy all legal requirements and can help keep you organized. 

File your LLC’s Articles of Organization 💻

The Articles of Organization officially bring your company to life and make you a business owner. To complete your Maryland Articles of Organization, have the following information on hand:

• LLC name
• Purpose of the LLC
• LLC address
• Name, address, and signature of resident agent
• Signature of Authorized Person
• Filing party’s return address

Of course, don’t forget to include the Maryland LLC filing fee. Let us handle your filing for you with our Maryland LLC Formation Service. 

Create an Operating Agreement📃

An Operating Agreement dictates how your business is run. Maryland doesn’t require you to create or submit an Operating Agreement, but it’s a very good business practice to have one. Some things you may want to include in your Operating Agreement are:

• Member ownership interests
• Profit and loss sharing
• Voting rights and procedures
• Duties of members and managers
• Dissolution events
• Conflict resolution methods

If you need some guidance on creating an Operating Agreement, check out our customizable Operating Agreement template.

Get an EIN #

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a Social Security number for your business. The IRS assigns a unique nine-digit number to your LLC and uses it to identify the business for tax purposes. You can apply for an EIN through the IRS’s website, or avoid the hassle and let us do it for you with our EIN Service. 

An EIN is necessary for different business matters like hiring employees and opening a business bank account. 

Check Maryland Annual Requirements📋

In Maryland, all LLCs must file an Annual Report and pay the filing fee. Doing these things keeps your business in good standing. Depending on your business activity, you may also have to file a Personal Property Tax Return. 

With our Annual Report Service, we can get your Maryland report filed quickly and help you avoid costly mistakes. With this service, you also get a personalized dashboard that keeps your documents organized and accessible when you need them. 

Stay Legally Compliant ⚖

Things change, and when they do, you need to notify SDAT. Whether it’s amending your Articles of Organization or changing the resident agent of the LLC, there’s paperwork that must be filed. 

With our Worry-Free Compliance Service, you get two yearly amendments. We also help you stay on top of your filing requirements and keep you in good standing. 

We can help!👍

If you’re confused about the average cost to start a business in Maryland, we can help. Starting a company can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. We’re here to make life easier for you at this exciting time. We offer a variety of products and services designed for starting and growing small businesses. 

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.