Form a Maryland LLC with StartGlobal
$399 state fee included
EIN, operating agreement and first-year agent service included. Nothing else to buy.
Maryland LLC costs at a glance
| Cost | When | Applies in Maryland | With StartGlobal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | Once, to form | Yes | Included in $399 |
| Registered agent | Every year | Yes, or be your own | Year one included, then $99/yr |
| Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return (Form 1) | Every year | Yes | Optional filing service, $299/yr |
| State tax or yearly charge | See below | Yes, see below | Paid to the state |
| EIN | Once | For a bank account or staff | Included in $399 |
| Operating agreement | Once | Recommended | Included in $399 |
| Local business licences | Varies | Depends on city, county and trade | Paid to the issuer |
Forming the LLC
Maryland LLCs are formed by filing a Articles of Organization with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), which accepts filings online. The state charges a one-time fee to accept it; the fee is the same whether you file yourself or use a service, and StartGlobal includes it in the $399.
Keeping it active
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 first one is due April 15 of the year after the LLC is formed.
The Annual Report is combined with the Business Personal Property Return, which SDAT uses to assess business personal property the LLC owns in Maryland.
You also need a registered agent in Maryland every year. Ours is included for the first year and $99 a year after; you can act as your own if you have a Maryland address and are there in business hours.
- 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.
What a "$0" Maryland LLC costs over three years
Formation, a registered agent every year and an EIN, at each provider's published prices. The Maryland filing fee is added on top of theirs and included in ours.
| Three years | |
|---|---|
| ZenBusiness Starter Registered agent is a $199/yr add-on from day one. | $696 + Maryland filing fee |
| LegalZoom Basic Registered agent is $249/yr. | $826 + Maryland filing fee |
| Bizee Basic Registered agent free for year one, then $149/yr. | $368 + Maryland filing fee |
| StartGlobal State fee, first-year agent and EIN included. Agent $99/yr after. | $597, all in |
Over three years our price is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom in every state. Bizee's first agent year is free, which can make it cheaper depending on the state fee. Filing yourself costs only the state fee.
Sources
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Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in Maryland?
Maryland charges a one-time fee to file the Articles of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399 with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. After that: 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.
What are the yearly costs of a Maryland LLC?
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. You also need a registered agent in Maryland every year, unless you act as your own.
Is there a cheaper way to form a Maryland LLC?
Yes: file the Articles of Organization yourself with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), act as your own registered agent and get your EIN from the IRS for free. It costs only the state fee and your time.
Does a $0 LLC service cost nothing in Maryland?
No. The Maryland filing fee is charged on top of a "$0" formation, and registered agent service and the EIN are usually add-ons. Over three years our $399 all-in is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom at their published prices.
