Filed with
Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)
Document
Articles of Organization
Recurring filing
Every year
- 01
Choose a name for your Maryland LLC
Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) business filings →The name must include "limited liability company", "L.L.C.", "LLC", "L.C." or "LC". It also has to be distinguishable from every business already on the Maryland register.
Search the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) business records before you file.
- 02
Choose a registered agent
Every Maryland LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in Maryland, available in business hours to accept legal papers and state notices.
You can be your own agent, but your address goes on the public record and you need to be there during business hours. A registered agent service keeps your home address off the filing.
- 03
File your Articles of Organization
Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) →The Articles of Organization is the document that creates your LLC. It is filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), which accepts it online.
It names the LLC, its registered agent and address, and whether it is managed by its members or by managers.
- 04
Write an operating agreement
Maryland operating agreement rules and free generator →The operating agreement sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are shared and how decisions are made. It is not filed with the state, but banks often ask for it, and without one your state’s default rules decide disputes between members.
- 05
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number from the IRS is the LLC’s federal tax number. You need it to open a business bank account and to hire, and it is free from the IRS.
- 06
Open a business bank account
Keep the LLC’s money separate from yours from the first day. Mixing them is the most common reason courts set aside an LLC’s liability protection.
- 07
Get the licenses your business needs
Maryland business license lookup →Forming the LLC is not a business license. Check whether Maryland requires a state license, what your city or county requires, and whether your trade is licensed. If you sell taxable goods or services, register for Maryland sales tax too.
- 08
Keep your Maryland LLC in good standing
Compliance deadline tracker →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.
Worth knowing in Maryland
- 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.
Or have it done for $399
We check your name, file your Articles of Organization with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) and pay the state fee, act as your Maryland registered agent for the first year, get your EIN and write your operating agreement. One price, nothing else to buy.
Sources
Nearby states
Frequently asked questions
How do I start an LLC in Maryland?
Choose an available 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, get an EIN from the IRS and open a business bank account.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Maryland?
Maryland charges a filing fee for 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. See our Maryland LLC cost page for the yearly costs.
Does a Maryland LLC have to 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. The first one is due April 15 of the year after the LLC is formed.
What is the Articles of Organization?
The document filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) that creates your LLC. It gives the LLC's name, its registered agent and registered office in Maryland, and how it is managed.
Can I be my own registered agent in Maryland?
Yes, if you have a physical address in Maryland and are there during business hours. That address becomes part of the public record.
