How to Start an LLC in Maryland (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Maryland, you file Articles of Organization with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, online through Maryland Business Express, and pay the $100 filing fee.

Maya The State Department of what?

Dan Assessments and Taxation. SDAT for short.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Maryland for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best ways to have it filed for you. Where do we begin?

0:28 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan The name needs limited liability company, LLC, L.L.C., or L.C. And it has to be distinguishable on the state's records.

Maya How do I check?

Dan The state has a free business entity search. Use that first.

Maya Can I hold a name?

Dan Yes. A reservation lasts 30 days and costs $25.

Maya Thirty days is short.

Dan It is. A reservation lasts 30 days, so plan around that.

0:55 Step 2: Name a resident agent

Maya Maryland says resident agent. Is that different from a registered agent?

Dan No. It's Maryland's term for a registered agent.

Maya Who can serve?

Dan A Maryland resident, or a Maryland corporation, LLC, or partnership. It needs a Maryland address.

Maya Does the agent have to agree?

Dan The agent signs a consent on your Articles.

Maya Is any of that private?

Dan No. The name and address are public. That's why many owners use a commercial agent. Changing agents later costs $25.

1:29 Step 3: File the Articles of Organization

Maya Where do I file?

Dan Through Maryland Business Express, online, or by mail. The fee is $100.

Maya I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

Dan Good to meet you, Maya. One thing to know: paying by card online adds a 3% technology fee.

Maya What does the form ask for?

Dan The name, a principal office in Maryland, your resident agent and their consent, and a signature.

Maya How long does it take?

Dan Standard filings are reviewed in the second calendar month after you submit.

Maya The second month?

Dan Yes. For $50 more, expedited review starts in 7 to 14 business days. And rush review is $325.

2:14 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Does SDAT want a copy?

Dan No. It isn't filed with SDAT, and there's no state fee. Keep it with your records.

Maya What if I don't write one?

Dan Without one, Maryland's default LLC rules decide things like how profits are split.

Maya So writing one gives me control.

Dan It does. Put in who owns what, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves.

2:37 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya What about the federal side?

Dan Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after SDAT approves your Articles.

Maya How quickly does it come?

Dan If the online application is approved, the IRS issues the number right away. Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

Maya And the beneficial ownership report?

Dan You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. companies.

3:04 Step 6: File the annual report

Maya What does Maryland want after I'm formed?

Dan The annual report, Form 1, filed with SDAT by April 15 every year.

Maya What's the fee?

Dan $300.

Maya Every year?

Dan Every year.

Maya And if I skip one?

Dan The state can forfeit the LLC's right to do business in Maryland and to use its name.

Maya How do I get that back?

Dan Reinstating takes a $100 filing plus the missed reports.

3:31 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself number.

Dan $100 to form, plus 3% if you pay by card online. Then $300 a year for the annual report.

Maya And the EIN?

Dan Free.

Maya Anything optional?

Dan Expedited review at $50, or rush at $325. A name reservation at $25. And $25 to change agents later.

Maya What's day one with the expedited review?

Dan $150. The first $300 report comes by April 15.

4:07 Review times

Maya Let me go back to the timing. It's the part that surprised me.

Dan Standard filings are reviewed in the second calendar month after you submit.

Maya And the faster choices?

Dan Expedited is $50 more, with review starting in 7 to 14 business days. Rush review is $325.

Maya Where is that rush price listed?

Dan On the Business Express fee schedule. It's $325 online. The link is in the show notes.

Maya So expedited is the middle path.

Dan Yes. $50 more, and review starts in 7 to 14 business days.

4:42 Picking your resident agent

Maya Walk me through the agent rules once more.

Dan A Maryland resident, or a Maryland corporation, LLC, or partnership, at a Maryland address.

Maya And what is signed?

Dan The agent's consent, on the Articles.

Maya What's the catch with doing it yourself?

Dan The name and address are public record.

Maya And switching later?

Dan $25.

5:03 Why the annual report matters

Maya Let me press on that $300 report.

Dan It is $300, and it's due every year by April 15.

Maya What's the risk of skipping?

Dan The state can forfeit the right to do business in Maryland and to use the name.

Maya And the way back?

Dan A $100 reinstatement filing, plus the missed reports.

Maya So filing on time is the simple path.

Dan By a wide margin.

5:29 First-year checklist

Maya Give me the order of operations.

Dan Search the name. Choose your resident agent. File your Articles on Maryland Business Express for $100. Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

Maya And the calendar?

Dan The $300 annual report, Form 1, by April 15, every year.

5:49 The 3 best ways to file in Maryland

Maya What if I'd rather have someone else file?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Maryland. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $100 state fee and the $50 expedited review, checkout comes to $349.

Maya What does that include?

Dan Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your resident agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

Maya And the annual report?

Dan Mainstay prepares and files it by April 15 every year. You pay only the $300 state fee.

Maya Number two?

Dan MD Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, also $349 at checkout with the expedited review. The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan Maryland Registered Agent.co. Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

Maya How do I choose?

Dan If you'll file your own annual report each April, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone. The $300 state fee is the same either way.

7:17 Three years of service fees

Maya Give me the three-year view.

Dan Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397.

Maya A $200 gap.

Dan Yes, and with Mainstay that gap pays for your annual report being filed on time each year.

7:44 Recap

Maya Can I hear it one more time?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name a resident agent who signs a consent, file Articles of Organization for $100, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $300 annual report by April 15 every year.

Maya The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new Maryland LLC.