How to Start an LLC in Maryland
Form your Maryland LLC online with transparent pricing, registered agent service and real human support. Incofile prepares and files your Articles of Organization for you.
Start My Maryland LLCStart your Maryland LLC in minutes
We handle the paperwork with the state.
Maryland LLC filing fee & timeline
To form an LLC in Maryland you file your Articles of Organization with the state and pay the state filing fee of $100. Incofile adds a flat, one-time service fee on top — no monthly charges — and your total is always shown before you pay.
Most Maryland LLC filings are prepared and submitted within one business day. State approval time depends on Maryland's current processing queue, typically ranging from a few business days to a few weeks, with expedited options available in many states.
Why form an LLC in Maryland
In Maryland, LLCs are filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Articles of Organization cost $100, standard processing takes several weeks, and for $50 more you can expedite. Every year your LLC files a $300 annual report, due April 15.
Maryland LLC at a glance
| State filing fee | $100 |
|---|---|
| Document filed | Articles of Organization, filed through Maryland Business Express |
| Standard approval time | About 4 to 6 weeks |
| Expedited service | +$50; about 7–10 business days |
| Annual report | $300 a year (Form 1), due April 15 |
| Personal property return | Filed on the same Form 1 when the LLC owns business property in Maryland |
| State income tax | Graduated rates up to 6.5%, plus county income tax |
| Registered agent | Required; called a "resident agent" — a Maryland resident or Maryland entity |
State figures checked against the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), September 2026. State fees are set by Maryland and can change; the exact total is shown before you pay.
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Maryland?
| Cost | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (state filing fee) | $100 | Required, one time |
| Resident agent | $0 if you act as your own agent at a Maryland street address; otherwise a registered agent service | Required, ongoing |
| Annual report (Form 1) | $300 per year | Required every year by 15 April |
| EIN from the IRS | Free from the IRS | Needed for a bank account and taxes |
| Expedited processing | +$50 | Optional |
These are state, IRS and other outside costs — not Incofile fees. Your Incofile package price is shown separately at checkout, and your full total is always shown before you pay. Estimate every cost for your state with our LLC cost calculator.
How to form an LLC in Maryland — 4 steps
Choose your package
Pick the Incofile package that fits your goals. Your Maryland state filing fee is shown before you pay.
Tell us about your LLC
Complete our short form with your company name, address and ownership details — about ten minutes.
We check & file with Maryland
We confirm your name is available and file your Articles of Organization with the Maryland state office.
Get your documents
Your approved Maryland LLC documents land in your dashboard, with reminders for your annual report and other deadlines.
How to start an LLC in Maryland: step by step
Here is exactly what forming a Maryland LLC involves, whether you file it yourself or let Incofile handle the paperwork.
Choose and check your LLC name
Pick a name that includes “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” and is distinguishable from existing Maryland businesses. Check it with our free business name search.
Appoint a resident agent
Name a resident agent with a physical street address in Maryland (not a PO box) who can accept legal papers during business hours. If you live outside Maryland or want privacy, Incofile can act as your agent.
File the Articles of Organization
File through Maryland Business Express with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) and pay $100. Standard processing takes about 4–6 weeks; expedited service ($50) is about 7–10 business days.
Create an operating agreement
Maryland does not require you to file an operating agreement, but it records who owns the LLC, how profits are shared and how decisions are made. Banks commonly ask for it, and it helps protect your limited liability.
Get an EIN
Apply to the IRS for your Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need it to open a business bank account, hire staff and file federal taxes. The IRS issues it free; non-US owners without an SSN apply by phone, fax or mail, and our Gold package handles it for you.
Register for taxes and local licenses
Register with the Comptroller of Maryland for sales tax and withholding if needed, and check your county for local licenses.
File your annual report each year
File Form 1 with SDAT by 15 April every year ($300), including the personal property return if the LLC owns business property in Maryland.
Maryland LLC filing requirements: what you need
- A business name that is available and meets Maryland's naming rules (it must include “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company”).
- A registered agent with a physical address in Maryland — Incofile can be your agent.
- Articles of Organization filed with the Maryland state office — we prepare and submit these for you.
- An operating agreement and EIN to open a business bank account (included in our Gold and Platinum packages).
- Ongoing compliance — Maryland's reports, taxes and registered agent rules (see below). We track the deadlines and remind you.
Operating agreement
An operating agreement sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are split, how decisions are made and what happens if a member leaves. Maryland does not ask you to file it with the state, but banks usually want to see it, and without one the state's default rules apply. Incofile includes a customised operating agreement in the Gold and Platinum packages.
EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Your EIN is the federal tax ID for your LLC. You need it to open a business bank account, hire staff and file taxes. The IRS issues it free — online in minutes if you have a Social Security number, or by fax or mail (one to eight weeks) if you don't. Our Gold and Platinum packages include it, and it is also available as a separate service.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you're unsure which structure is right, compare LLC vs S-Corp vs C-Corp.
Maryland LLC naming rules
The name must contain "limited liability company", "L.L.C.", "LLC", "L.C." or "LC" and must be distinguishable from every entity on the Maryland register. Check availability with our free business name search.
Keeping your Maryland LLC compliant
Annual report
Every Maryland LLC files an annual report (Form 1) with SDAT by April 15. The fee is $300. Filing late adds a penalty, and LLCs that stop filing can lose their good standing and be forfeited.
Personal property return
The Business Personal Property Return is part of the same Form 1. If your LLC owns business property located in Maryland, you report it there; the property may be taxed by the county.
Resident agent
Maryland requires a resident agent: an adult Maryland resident or a Maryland corporation or LLC, with a physical Maryland address. Professional agents such as Incofile qualify.
Taxes
Owners pay Maryland income tax on their share of profit at graduated rates up to 6.5%, plus a county income tax. Sellers of taxable goods register for sales and use tax with the Comptroller of Maryland.
Incofile clients get every Maryland deadline tracked in their dashboard with email reminders — see registered agent service.
Official Maryland resources
Maryland LLC — frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Maryland?
Incofile charges a flat, one-time formation fee (Silver, Gold or Platinum) plus the Maryland state filing fee of $100. There are no monthly charges, and the total is shown before you pay.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Maryland?
We prepare and submit your Maryland Articles of Organization within one business day. State approval times vary from a few business days to a few weeks; expedited filing is available in many states.
Do I need a registered agent in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland requires every LLC to have a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and state mail. Incofile can serve as your Maryland registered agent so you stay compliant and keep your address private.
Can I start an LLC in Maryland if I live in another state or country?
Yes. You do not need to live in Maryland to form an LLC there. Incofile can act as your registered agent and provide a business address, so you can form and run your Maryland LLC from anywhere.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Maryland?
The SDAT fee for Articles of Organization is $100, or $150 with expedited service. After that, the annual report costs $300 each year.
When is the Maryland annual report due?
April 15 every year. The fee for an LLC is $300, and the report also covers the Business Personal Property Return.
How long does Maryland take to approve an LLC?
Standard processing takes about 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited service costs $50 more and takes about 7 business days online.
What is a resident agent in Maryland?
It is Maryland's name for a registered agent: an adult Maryland resident or a Maryland business entity that accepts legal papers for your LLC.
How much does a Maryland LLC cost per year?
The state annual report is $300, due 15 April. Add a resident agent service if you use one.
Ready to launch your Maryland LLC?
Most orders are prepared and submitted within one business day.
Start My Maryland LLC