Start a Maryland LLC
How to start an LLC in Maryland →
Name, registered agent, Articles of Organization and bank account, step by step.
Maryland LLC cost →
What it costs to form and to keep, and a three-year comparison.
Maryland LLC name check →
Check a name against Maryland naming rules before you file.
Maryland operating agreement →
Not required by law, but every LLC needs one. Create yours free.
Run a Maryland LLC
Maryland Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return (Form 1) →
Every year. Due dates, first filing, and what happens if you miss it.
Maryland registered agent →
Every Maryland LLC needs one. Ours is included in year one.
Compliance deadline tracker →
Every federal and Maryland deadline for your LLC.
Changing or closing it: add or remove a member, change your registered agent, move to another state, dissolve the LLC.
Maryland LLC at a glance
Formed with
Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)
Formation document
Articles of Organization
Recurring filing
Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return (Form 1), every year
Online filing
Yes
Maryland LLCs file an Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return (Form 1) every year. It is due April 15 each year, for every LLC that existed on January 1 of that year.
The Annual Report is combined with the Business Personal Property Return, which SDAT uses to assess business personal property the LLC owns in Maryland.
Must include "limited liability company", "L.L.C.", "LLC", "L.C." or "LC", and it must be distinguishable from names already on the Maryland register.
- The Annual Report is required whether or not the LLC owns property, earns income or did any business in Maryland during the prior year.
- Failing to file can lead to forfeiture of the LLC's right to do business in Maryland.
- SDAT accepts requests for a 60-day extension, and LLCs can be formed and annual reports filed online through Maryland Business Express.
Forming a Maryland LLC from outside the US?
The steps above are written for people who live in the US. If you live abroad, the bank account and tax filings work differently.
Maryland LLC for non-residents →Sources
Nearby states
All states
Frequently asked questions
How do I start an LLC in Maryland?
Choose a name, appoint a registered agent in Maryland, and file a Articles of Organization with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Then write an operating agreement and open a business bank account. Our step-by-step guide covers each one.
How much does a Maryland LLC cost?
Maryland charges a one-time filing fee to form an LLC. With StartGlobal it is $399 in total, with that fee, your operating agreement and first-year registered agent included.
Does a Maryland LLC file an annual report?
Maryland LLCs file an Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return (Form 1) every year. It is due April 15 each year, for every LLC that existed on January 1 of that year.
Does Maryland tax LLCs?
The Annual Report is combined with the Business Personal Property Return, which SDAT uses to assess business personal property the LLC owns in Maryland.
Is an operating agreement required in Maryland?
No, but every Maryland LLC should have one.
