How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Maryland?

Maryland LLC Online Filing Fee: $100

The main cost to start an LLC is the $100 fee to file your LLC's Articles of Organization online with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.

For a look at LLC costs in every state, read our other Cost to Start an LLC and How to Form an LLC guides.

Maryland Annual Report Fee: $300

Maryland requires LLCs to file an annual report and franchise tax with the Secretary of State.

You can submit this form online through the Maryland Business Express website. It is due on April 15. Maryland charges a penalty of 1/10 of 1% of the county assessment, plus 2% interest every 30 days that the return is late.

Registered Agent Fee

In Maryland you can be your own registered agent, but using a registered agent service helps keep your company in compliance and reminds you of important filing deadlines and avoid late fees.

• If you need to form a new business and get a registered agent, the best package is by Northwest Registered Agent $29 + state fees

OR:

• If only a registered agent is required, Northwest Registered Agent provides an excellent service: $125

Read our guide to learn more about Maryland Registered Agents. You can also read our full guide on the best registered agent services.

Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Maryland

If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into Maryland, you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC in Maryland.

The cost for registering a Maryland foreign LLC is $100. You can register a foreign LLC in Maryland by filing a Foreign Limited Liability Company Registration form online, by mail, or in person.

Business Permits and Licenses

Depending on your industry and geographical location, your business might need federal, state, and local permits/licenses to legally operate in Maryland. This is true whether you form an LLC or any other type of business structure.

Learn more about state and local licensing with our guide to getting a Maryland business license.

Other LLC Filing Costs

There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:

LLC Name Reservation:
Reserve your name for up to 30 days prior to LLC formation by filing a Corporate Name Reservation Application and paying the $25 filing fee.

LLC Name Re-Reservation:
File a Corporate Name Reservation Application for Re-Reservation and pay the $25 filing fee to reserve your name for an additional 30 days.

Doing Business As (DBA) Name:
File a Trade Name Application online and pay the $25 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name. This can also be done by mail or in person.

Certified Documents:
Obtain certified documents of your Maryland business documents by ordering through the Department of Assessments and Taxation and paying $20 + $1 per page.

Certificate of Status:
Also known as a Maryland certificate of good standing, you can obtain this document by ordering through the Department of Assessments and Taxation and paying the $20 fee. A certificate of status is often required by banks and lending institutions.

Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in Maryland

Step 1: Name Your Maryland LLC
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Step 5: Get an EIN

Step 1: Name Your Maryland LLC

When you name your Maryland LLC, you’ll need to choose a name that:

1. Is available for use in the state of Maryland
2. Meets Maryland naming requirements
3. Is available as a web domain

Recommended: Visit our Start an LLC in Maryland guide for detailed naming rules and instructions for registering a business name in Maryland.

Not sure what to name your business? Check out our How to Name a Business guide and free LLC Name Generator.

We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent

All LLCs in Maryland must appoint a registered agent. A registered agent primarily acts as your LLC’s main point of contact with the state. But most importantly, they are responsible for accepting service of process in the event your business is sued.

Your Maryland registered agent must be:

• At least 18 years or older
• Have a physical address in Maryland
• Available during normal business hours to accept service of process

In Maryland, your registered agent must sign the Articles of Organization if filing a paper copy of the form.

Step 3: File the Articles of Organization

The Maryland Articles of Organization is a document that is filed with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation to form an LLC. The fee for filing the Articles of Organization is $100 online.

For detailed instructions for completing the Articles of Organization, visit our How to File the Maryland Articles of Organization guide.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement isn't required for Maryland LLCs, but it's a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

For more information on operating agreements, read our Maryland LLC operating agreement guide.

Step 5: Get an EIN

What is an EIN? An EIN or Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue System (IRS) to identify a business for tax reporting purposes. An EIN is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for your company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN number is required for the following:

• Opening a business bank account
• Hiring employees