Form Your Maryland C Corporation
Build an investor-ready company in the Old Line State, with stock and a cap table, proximity to Washington D.C., and access to a thriving cybersecurity and biotech corridor
Filed in Maryland
The Old Line State · MD
- State filing fee$120
- Processing timeOnline ~7-10 business days expedited included; standard mail 6-8 weeks
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$300/year (Form 1 + personal property return) — due April 15th annually
- State tax rate8.25% corporate income tax
- Expedited option7-14 business days (+$50)
Form your Maryland C-Corp — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Maryland C-Corp
Free formation means you pay only the $120 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Maryland SDAT (State Department of Assessments and Taxation).
Registered agent
Required in Maryland — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Corporate bylaws
Professionally drafted corporate bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an C-Corp in Maryland
Maryland's proximity to Washington D.C. and its deep pool of cybersecurity, biotech, and government-contracting talent make it a strong base for a C Corporation built to raise institutional capital. The investor-ready structure of a C corp, combined with access to federal contracts and world-class research institutions like Johns Hopkins and the NIH, positions venture-backed companies to scale.
The investor-standard structure venture capital and institutional funds require to write checks
Issue stock to founders, employees, and investors with a clean cap table
Perpetual existence that survives changes in ownership or leadership
Strategic location near Washington D.C. and federal agencies for government contracting
Highly educated workforce with leading cybersecurity and biotech talent
QSBS / Section 1202 gains may apply to qualifying C corp stock
Stock option pools that let you recruit and retain top talent
Expedited online filing included, so you can incorporate fast
Key features of a Maryland C-Corp
- Issues stock and supports a cap table for fundraising
- Board of directors and bylaws govern the corporation
- Perpetual existence independent of its owners
- Proximity to Washington D.C. and federal agencies
- Strong cybersecurity and biotech sectors
- Expedited online incorporation included
Major industries in Maryland
Form your Maryland C-Corp in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes Online ~7-10 business days expedited included; standard mail 6-8 weeks.
- 01
Choose Your Corporation Name
Your name must include a corporate designator such as 'Corporation,' 'Incorporated,' 'Company,' 'Inc.,' or 'Corp.' Check availability through the Maryland SDAT business name search before filing.
- 02
Appoint a Resident Agent
Maryland requires a resident agent (registered agent) with a physical address in the state to accept legal documents and service of process on behalf of your corporation.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The state filing fee is $120, and you must state the total number of authorized shares of stock. Online filing includes expedited review.
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and Appoint Directors
Hold an organizational meeting to adopt corporate bylaws, appoint at least one director to the board, elect officers, and authorize the issuance of shares to founders.
- 05
Issue Stock and File 83(b) Elections
Issue stock to founders and build your cap table. Founders receiving restricted stock should file an 83(b) election with the IRS within 30 days of the grant to manage tax treatment.
- 06
Obtain an EIN and File Annual Report
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for banking, tax filing, and hiring. Maryland corporations must then file Form 1 Annual Report and a business personal property return by April 15th each year ($300).
Maryland C-Corp costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Maryland C-Corp requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Maryland C-Corp in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation with Maryland SDAT ($120)
- State the total number of authorized shares in the Articles
- Appoint a resident agent with a physical Maryland address
- Appoint at least one director to the board of directors
- Adopt corporate bylaws and hold an organizational meeting
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File Form 1 Annual Report and personal property return by April 15th ($300)
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation
- Filing agency
- Maryland SDAT (State Department of Assessments and Taxation)
- Registered agent
- Required
- Corporate bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $25 (30 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $120 Maryland state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, corporate bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Maryland)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Corporate bylaws
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Maryland C-Corp questions, answered
Common questions about forming an C-Corp in Maryland. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a C Corporation in Maryland?
The state filing fee for Articles of Incorporation is $120, paid to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). After formation, you'll file a Form 1 Annual Report and business personal property return each year for $300.
How fast can I incorporate in Maryland?
Online filings through Maryland SDAT are typically processed in about 7-10 business days with expedited review included. Standard filings submitted by mail can take 6-8 weeks, so online is the faster route.
Why choose a C Corporation instead of an LLC?
A C corporation is the structure venture capitalists and institutional investors require. It can issue multiple classes of stock, supports a clean cap table and option pool, has a board of directors and bylaws, and offers perpetual existence, making it the standard for companies raising priced rounds or SAFEs.
How is a Maryland C Corporation taxed?
C corporations pay a flat 21% federal corporate income tax on profits, plus Maryland's 8.25% state corporate income tax. Dividends paid to shareholders are taxed again on their personal returns, the classic 'double taxation' of the C corp. Maryland's sales tax is 6%, and there is no separate state franchise tax.
What is an 83(b) election and do I need one?
If founders or employees receive restricted stock that vests over time, an 83(b) election lets them be taxed on the value at grant rather than at vesting. You must file it with the IRS within 30 days of receiving the stock, and the deadline is strict with no extensions.
Can a Maryland C Corp qualify for QSBS tax benefits?
Stock in a qualifying C corporation may qualify for Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) benefits under Section 1202, which can reduce or eliminate federal tax on gains when the stock is sold. Eligibility rules are detailed and changed in 2025, so confirm current requirements with a tax advisor.
Do I need a board of directors and bylaws?
Yes. A Maryland corporation must have at least one director on its board and should adopt corporate bylaws at an organizational meeting. The board oversees major decisions, while bylaws set the internal rules for how the corporation is governed.
Does my Maryland corporation have to file a BOI report?
Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, U.S. domestic corporations and U.S. persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a U.S. state are still required to file.
Maryland government filing resources
Filing fees for common C-Corp services
Official Maryland state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$25 reserves a corporate, LP, LLC or LLP name for an exclusive period of 30 days.
Certified copies of charter documents: $20 for the first certified copy plus $1 per page.
$5.00 per document for an apostille (Hague Convention countries) or certification.
$25 per corporation to file a change of principal office, resident agent, or resident agent's address.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Maryland C-Corp
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Maryland C-Corp?
Formation is free — you pay only the $120 Maryland state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in Online ~7-10 business days expedited included; standard mail 6-8 weeks.
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