To form a Maryland LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), usually online through Maryland Business Express, and name a resident agent in Maryland. The statutory filing fee is $100 (as of October 2026). Every Maryland LLC then files an annual report with SDAT by April 15 each year, and the fee for an LLC’s report is $300.
That $300 annual report is the cost that surprises people: it’s three times the formation fee and it’s due every year, whether or not the LLC made money. Plan for it from the start.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in Maryland (2026)
Here are our top picks for forming an LLC in Maryland, ranked. Mainstay Filing comes first for its flat yearly price; the two Maryland registered agent services below it are options if you only need an agent.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | MD Registered Agent.org | Maryland registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Maryland Registered Agent.co | Maryland registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Maryland. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. MD Registered Agent.org
MD Registered Agent.org is a Maryland registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Maryland Registered Agent.co
Maryland Registered Agent.co is a Maryland registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Maryland LLC at a glance
| Item | Maryland (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Filing office | State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) |
| Online portal | Maryland Business Express |
| Formation document | Articles of Organization |
| Filing fee | $100 |
| Name reservation | Optional; $25 |
| Annual report | $300; due April 15 every year |
| Agent | Resident agent with a Maryland address |
| Certificate of status | $20 |
| Publication | Not required |
Fees are set by Maryland’s Corporations and Associations Article, section 1-203; the April 15 deadline comes from Tax-Property section 11-101. Mainstay Filing’s Maryland LLC cost page shows these alongside service fees.
Step 1: Choose your Maryland LLC name
Include “Limited Liability Company” or an abbreviation such as “LLC” or “L.L.C.” in the name, and check that it’s distinguishable from entities already registered in Maryland.
The namechk business name generator is handy for getting a long list of options. Search each one in Maryland Business Express’s entity search, and use our Maryland business name search guide to understand the results.
Then:
- Check for federal trademarks in the USPTO database.
- Confirm the domain and social handles are available with namechk.
- Reserve the name with SDAT for $25 if you’re not ready to file yet.
Step 2: Appoint a resident agent
Maryland calls the registered agent a “resident agent.” The Articles of Organization must name one, with a Maryland address where legal papers can be delivered during business hours. The agent can be a Maryland resident (including you) or a business entity that provides the service.
Many owners act as their own resident agent at first. If you’d rather not list your home address on a public record, or you won’t always be available, a professional agent is the safer option. Mainstay Filing includes resident agent service for the first year with its formation package, and our Maryland registered agent guide explains the requirements.
Step 3: File Articles of Organization with SDAT
Maryland Business Express is the state’s portal for registering a business online, and it’s the route SDAT and the Business Express site recommend. If you can’t file online, Business Express says to find the correct form on SDAT’s forms page and mail it with the fee by check or money order.
Maryland’s Articles of Organization are short. You’ll provide:
- The LLC’s name
- The LLC’s principal office address in Maryland
- The resident agent’s name and Maryland address, with the agent’s consent
- The signature of an authorized person
The statutory filing fee is $100. SDAT offers expedited processing for an extra $50, and online payments through Maryland Business Express add a 3% convenience fee.
Step 4: Draft an operating agreement
Maryland doesn’t require you to file an operating agreement, and SDAT won’t ask for it. Write one anyway. It’s where members agree on ownership, contributions, management, voting, profit distributions and what happens if someone wants out.
For multi-member LLCs, an agreement avoids defaulting to Maryland’s statutory rules. For single-member LLCs, it helps show the business is separate from its owner.
Step 5: Get an EIN and open Maryland tax accounts
Apply for an Employer Identification Number on the IRS website; it’s free. Business Express notes that you’ll need your federal tax ID number for later steps.
Next, use Business Express’s taxes and insurance step to register for Maryland sales and use tax, employer withholding and unemployment insurance as needed. Maryland employers should also review their obligations under the state’s FAMLI paid leave program, which Business Express covers in its startup checklist.
With the EIN in hand, open a business bank account in the LLC’s exact legal name. Banks usually ask for the approved Articles, the IRS EIN letter and often the operating agreement. Running every business payment through that account keeps your records clean for the annual report and tax returns.
FinCEN’s beneficial ownership page confirms that U.S.-formed companies are exempt from BOI reporting under the final rule effective August 2026.
Step 6: File the annual report by April 15
Maryland’s annual report is filed with SDAT and is due on or before April 15 each year under Tax-Property section 11-101. The fee for a Maryland LLC’s annual report is $300, under Corporations and Associations section 1-203.
The report doubles as Maryland’s business personal property return. If your LLC owns furniture, equipment or other business property in Maryland, you’ll report it on the same filing. If you need more time, a free 60-day extension to June 15 is available online. Filing late brings a penalty based on the county assessment plus interest, and long-term non-filing can lead to forfeiture of the LLC’s right to do business, so treat April 15 as a hard date. Business Express notes you’ll need your EIN when you file annual reports with SDAT.
Step 7: Get licenses and permits
Maryland has a range of state and local licenses depending on your industry and location. Business Express’s licenses and permits step helps you identify which apply, and your county or city may have additional requirements such as trader’s licenses or zoning approvals.
How much does a Maryland LLC cost?
| Item | Fee under Corps. & Ass’ns s. 1-203 |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $100 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 |
| Annual report | $300 per year |
| Certificate of status | $20 |
| Foreign LLC registration | $100 |
So the minimum is $100 to form and $300 every year after that, before local licenses or any agent service you buy.
Maryland LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Maryland?
Maryland charges $100 to file Articles of Organization for an LLC, under Corporations and Associations section 1-203, as of October 2026. An optional name reservation costs $25. After formation, each Maryland LLC pays $300 for its annual report, due April 15 every year, which is the largest recurring state cost.
When is the Maryland LLC annual report due?
Maryland annual reports are due on or before April 15 each year under Tax-Property section 11-101. LLCs file with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, and the fee is $300. The report also serves as the business personal property return for LLCs that own business property in Maryland.
Why is the Maryland annual report $300?
Maryland law sets the processing fee for a Maryland LLC’s annual report at $300 in Corporations and Associations section 1-203, the same as for most for-profit corporations. Family farms pay $100. The fee applies every year whether or not the LLC had income, so budget for it.
What is a resident agent in Maryland?
A resident agent is Maryland’s term for a registered agent: the person or business that receives lawsuits, subpoenas and official notices for the LLC at a Maryland address. Every Maryland LLC must name one in its Articles of Organization. An owner who lives in Maryland can serve, or you can hire a professional agent.
Can I file a Maryland LLC online?
Yes. Maryland Business Express is the state’s online portal for registering a business, filing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation and opening tax accounts. If you can’t file online, Business Express directs you to SDAT’s forms page to mail the correct document with a check or money order.
Does Maryland require newspaper publication for a new LLC?
No. Maryland doesn’t require LLCs to publish notice of their formation. Once the State Department of Assessments and Taxation accepts the Articles of Organization, the LLC exists. The remaining steps are an operating agreement, an EIN, Maryland tax accounts through Business Express, any licenses and the yearly annual report.
How do I register an out-of-state LLC in Maryland?
A foreign LLC files an application for registration with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation before doing business in Maryland. The statutory fee is $100. Once registered, a foreign LLC also files the $300 annual report by April 15 each year and needs a Maryland resident agent.
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