Maryland LLC Cost

How do I form my LLC in Maryland?

1. 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. 

2. 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. 

3. 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. 

4. 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.

5. 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.