[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.