How to Start an LLC in Maryland
Learn how to start an LLC in Maryland — filing fees, required forms, registered agent rules, and step-by-step guidance from the state's Articles of Organization to your EIN.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Maryland LLC at a glance
Filing fee: $100 (online via Maryland Business Express) or $150 (by mail)
Processing time: 7–10 business days online; 4–6 weeks by mail
State agency: Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)
Annual report due: April 15 each year; $300 filing fee
State tax rate: No state-level LLC franchise tax; personal income tax rates range from 2%–5.75%
How to form an LLC in Maryland
To form an LLC in Maryland, you file Articles of Organization with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), pay the $100 online filing fee, appoint a registered agent with a Maryland address, and get a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Most online filings are processed in 7–10 business days.
Maryland doesn't charge a state-level franchise tax on LLCs, which makes it a relatively affordable state to stay in good standing — though the $300 annual report fee is one of the higher ones in the region.
Step 1: Choose a name for your LLC
Your LLC name must include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." and can't duplicate a name already on file with SDAT. You can check name availability through the Maryland Business Express name search tool at businessexpress.maryland.gov before you file.
If you want to do business under a different name than your registered LLC name, you'll need to file a trade name registration with SDAT. That's a separate filing with its own fee.
Step 2: Appoint a registered agent
Every Maryland LLC needs a registered agent — a person or business with a physical Maryland street address who can receive legal documents and official state mail on your behalf. A P.O. box doesn't qualify.
You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Maryland address and are available during business hours. Many business owners use a registered agent service to keep their personal address off public records and make sure nothing gets missed.
Step 3: File your Articles of Organization
The Articles of Organization is the formation document you file with SDAT to officially create your LLC. You can file online through Maryland Business Express for $100 or by mail for $150. Online is faster — most filings are processed in 7–10 business days.
The form asks for your LLC name, principal office address, registered agent information, and the names of the organizers. Once SDAT approves the filing, your LLC is officially formed.
Step 4: Create an operating agreement
Maryland doesn't require LLCs to have an operating agreement, but you should have one anyway. It documents how your LLC is owned, how decisions get made, how profits are split, and what happens if a member leaves. Without one, Maryland's default LLC rules fill in the gaps — and those defaults may not match what you actually want.
For single-member LLCs, an operating agreement also helps reinforce that your business is a separate legal entity, which matters if your liability protection is ever questioned.
Step 5: Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a federal tax ID issued by the IRS. You'll need one to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file federal taxes. Applying is free and takes about 15 minutes online at irs.gov/ein — the IRS issues your EIN immediately after you complete the application.
If your LLC has no employees and is taxed as a sole proprietorship, you can use your Social Security number for some purposes. But an EIN keeps your personal number off business documents and is worth getting regardless.
Step 6: Register for state taxes and licenses
If your LLC collects sales tax, has employees, or owes withholding tax, you'll need to register with the Maryland Comptroller's office. You can do this through the Combined Registration Application at marylandtaxes.gov.
Depending on your industry and location, you may also need a state business license, a county license, or both. Maryland's OneStop portal at onestop.md.gov is a good starting point for figuring out which licenses apply to your business.
Maryland annual report
Maryland LLCs must file an annual report with SDAT by April 15 each year. The filing fee is $300. Missing the deadline doesn't immediately dissolve your LLC, but SDAT can forfeit your business's good standing — and reinstating a forfeited LLC costs more than staying current.
You can file the annual report online through Maryland Business Express. The report confirms your registered agent and principal office address, so keep that information up to date.
FAQ
The state filing fee is $100 if you file online through Maryland Business Express, or $150 if you file by mail. That's the minimum cost to form an LLC in Maryland. You'll also owe a $300 annual report fee each year starting the April 15 after you form your LLC.
Getting an EIN from the IRS is free. If you use a registered agent service or formation platform, those are separate costs on top of the state fee.
Online filings through Maryland Business Express are generally processed in 7–10 business days. Mail filings take 4–6 weeks. Maryland does offer expedited processing for an additional fee if you need your LLC approved faster.
Yes. Every Maryland LLC must have a registered agent with a physical Maryland street address. The registered agent receives legal documents and official state correspondence on behalf of your LLC. You can serve as your own registered agent, or you can use a registered agent service.
No — Maryland charges a $100 state filing fee to form an LLC online, and that fee goes directly to SDAT. You can't avoid it. What you can do is form your LLC without paying a formation service fee on top of the state fee. Some platforms, including Bizee, handle the filing for $0 and you pay only the required $100 state fee.
Maryland Business Express is the state's online portal for business filings, managed by SDAT. You can use it to file your Articles of Organization, check name availability, file annual reports, and update your registered agent information. It's at businessexpress.maryland.gov.
No. Maryland doesn't require LLCs to have an operating agreement, and you don't file one with the state. But having one is worth it — it sets the rules for how your LLC runs, how profits are divided, and what happens if a member exits. Without one, Maryland's default LLC statutes apply, which may not reflect what you actually agreed to.
It depends. If your LLC has employees, is taxed as a partnership or corporation, or files certain federal tax returns, you need an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Single-member LLCs with no employees can sometimes use the owner's Social Security number instead. That said, most banks require an EIN to open a business account, so getting one is worth it regardless of your situation. You can apply for free at irs.gov/ein.
April 15 each year. The annual report fee is $300, filed with SDAT through Maryland Business Express. If you miss the deadline, SDAT can put your LLC in forfeited status — and getting reinstated costs more than filing on time.
