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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Maryland, you file Articles of Organization with the State

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<v Dan>Department of Assessments and Taxation, online through Maryland Business Express,

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<v Dan>and pay the $100 filing fee.

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<v Maya>The State Department of what?

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<v Dan>Assessments and Taxation. SDAT for short.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Maryland for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best

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<v Maya>ways to have it filed for you.

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<v Maya>Where do we begin?

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<v Dan>The name needs limited liability company, LLC, L.L.C., or L.C.

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<v Dan>And it has to be distinguishable on the state's records.

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<v Maya>How do I check?

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<v Dan>The state has a free business entity search.

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<v Dan>Use that first.

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<v Maya>Can I hold a name?

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

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<v Maya>Thirty days is short.

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

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

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

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<v Maya>Who can serve?

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<v Dan>A Maryland resident, or a Maryland corporation, LLC, or partnership.

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<v Dan>It needs a Maryland address.

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<v Maya>Does the agent have to agree?

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<v Dan>The agent signs a consent on your Articles.

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<v Maya>Is any of that private?

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<v Dan>No. The name and address are public.

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<v Dan>That's why many owners use a commercial agent.

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<v Dan>Changing agents later costs $25.

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<v Maya>Where do I file?

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<v Dan>Through Maryland Business Express, online, or by mail.

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<v Dan>The fee is $100.

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

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

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<v Dan>technology fee.

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<v Maya>What does the form ask for?

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<v Dan>The name, a principal office in Maryland, your resident agent and their consent, and

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<v Dan>a signature.

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<v Maya>How long does it take?

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

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<v Maya>The second month?

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<v Dan>Yes. For $50 more, expedited review starts in 7 to 14 business days.

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<v Dan>And rush review is $325.

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<v Maya>Does SDAT want a copy?

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<v Dan>No. It isn't filed with SDAT, and there's no state fee.

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<v Dan>Keep it with your records.

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<v Maya>What if I don't write one?

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

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<v Maya>So writing one gives me control.

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

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<v Dan>leaves.

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<v Maya>What about the federal side?

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

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<v Dan>Articles.

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<v Maya>How quickly does it come?

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<v Dan>If the online application is approved, the IRS issues the number right away.

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<v Dan>Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

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<v Maya>And the beneficial ownership report?

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<v Dan>You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What does Maryland want after I'm formed?

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

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<v Maya>What's the fee?

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<v Dan>$300.

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<v Maya>Every year?

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<v Dan>Every year.

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<v Maya>And if I skip one?

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<v Dan>The state can forfeit the LLC's right to do business in Maryland and to use its

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<v Dan>name.

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<v Maya>How do I get that back?

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

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<v Maya>Give me the do-it-yourself number.

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<v Dan>$100 to form, plus 3% if you pay by card online.

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<v Dan>Then $300 a year for the annual report.

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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<v Dan>Free.

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<v Maya>Anything optional?

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<v Dan>Expedited review at $50, or rush at $325.

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<v Dan>A name reservation at $25. And $25 to change agents later.

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<v Maya>What's day one with the expedited review?

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

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

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

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<v Maya>And the faster choices?

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<v Dan>Expedited is $50 more, with review starting in 7 to 14 business days.

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<v Dan>Rush review is $325.

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<v Maya>Where is that rush price listed?

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<v Dan>On the Business Express fee schedule.

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<v Dan>It's $325 online. The link is in the show notes.

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<v Maya>So expedited is the middle path.

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

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<v Maya>Walk me through the agent rules once more.

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<v Dan>A Maryland resident, or a Maryland corporation, LLC, or partnership, at a Maryland

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<v Dan>address.

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<v Maya>And what is signed?

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<v Dan>The agent's consent, on the Articles.

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<v Maya>What's the catch with doing it yourself?

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<v Dan>The name and address are public record.

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<v Maya>And switching later?

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<v Dan>$25.

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<v Maya>Let me press on that $300 report.

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

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<v Maya>What's the risk of skipping?

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

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<v Maya>And the way back?

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

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<v Maya>So filing on time is the simple path.

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<v Dan>By a wide margin.

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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<v Dan>Search the name. Choose your resident agent.

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<v Dan>File your Articles on Maryland Business Express for $100.

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<v Dan>Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

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<v Maya>And the calendar?

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

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

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Maryland.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state

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<v Dan>fee. With the $100 state fee and the $50 expedited review, checkout comes to

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<v Dan>$349.

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<v Maya>What does that include?

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<v Dan>Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your resident agent every year.

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<v Dan>It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>And the annual report?

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<v Dan>Mainstay prepares and files it by April 15 every year.

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<v Dan>You pay only the $300 state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>MD Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the

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<v Dan>state fee, also $349 at checkout with the expedited review.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Maryland Registered Agent.co. Same offer.

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>How do I choose?

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<v Dan>If you'll file your own annual report each April, numbers two and three cost less

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<v Dan>from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

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<v Dan>The $300 state fee is the same either way.

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<v Maya>Give me the three-year view.

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next

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<v Dan>two years, for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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<v Dan>Yes, and with Mainstay that gap pays for your annual report being filed on time each

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<v Dan>year.

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<v Maya>Can I hear it one more time?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a resident agent who signs a consent, file

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<v Dan>Articles of Organization for $100, write an operating agreement, get your free

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<v Dan>EIN, and file your $300 annual report by April 15 every year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Maryland LLC.