Form Your Maryland LLC
Establish your business in the Old Line State with proximity to Washington D.C., federal contracting opportunities, and a thriving biotech corridor
Filed in Maryland
The Old Line State · MD
- State filing fee$150
- Processing time7-10 business days
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$300 — due April 15th annually
- State tax rate8.25% corporate income tax
- Expedited option7-14 business days (+$50)
Form your Maryland LLC — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Maryland LLC
Free formation means you pay only the $150 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Organization filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization 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.
Operating agreement
Required in Maryland — we prepare your operating agreement.
Benefits of forming an LLC in Maryland
Maryland's proximity to Washington D.C. makes it a prime location for businesses serving the federal government. The state boasts a highly educated workforce, leading cybersecurity firms, major biotech companies, and world-class research institutions like Johns Hopkins.
Strategic location near Washington D.C. and federal agencies
Highly educated workforce, especially in government and technology
No franchise tax for LLCs
Strong cybersecurity and biotech industry presence
Access to federal government contracting opportunities
Same-day expedited filing available
Key features of a Maryland LLC
- Operating Agreement legally required
- Proximity to Washington D.C. and federal agencies
- Strong cybersecurity and biotech sectors
- Same-day expedited filing available
Major industries in Maryland
Form your Maryland LLC in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 7-10 business days.
- 01
Choose Your LLC Name
Your name must include 'Limited Liability Company,' 'LLC,' or 'L.L.C.' Check availability through the Maryland SDAT business name search.
- 02
Appoint a Resident Agent
Maryland requires a resident agent (registered agent) with a physical address in the state to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC.
- 03
File Articles of Organization
Submit your Articles of Organization to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The filing fee is $150. Online filing is available.
- 04
Create an Operating Agreement
Maryland law requires LLCs to have an Operating Agreement. It can be oral or written, but a written agreement is strongly recommended.
- 05
Obtain an EIN
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for tax filing, banking, and hiring employees.
- 06
File Annual Report and Personal Property Return
Maryland LLCs must file an Annual Report and Personal Property Return by April 15th each year. The filing fee is $300.
Maryland LLC costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Maryland LLC requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Maryland LLC in 2026.
- File Articles of Organization with Maryland SDAT
- Appoint a resident agent with a physical Maryland address
- Create an Operating Agreement (legally required)
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File Annual Report by April 15th ($300)
- Obtain necessary business licenses
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Filing agency
- Maryland SDAT (State Department of Assessments and Taxation)
- Registered agent
- Required
- Operating agreement
- Required
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $25 (30 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $150 Maryland state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, operating agreement, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Organization 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)
- Operating agreement
- 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 LLC questions, answered
Common questions about forming an LLC in Maryland. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Maryland?
The state filing fee is $150. The annual report fee is $300. Our service fee starts at $100 plus the state fee.
Is an Operating Agreement required in Maryland?
Yes, Maryland is one of the states that legally requires LLCs to have an Operating Agreement. While it can be oral, a written agreement is strongly recommended for legal protection.
When is the Maryland annual report due?
The Annual Report and Personal Property Return is due by April 15th each year. The filing fee is $300. Late filing can result in penalties.
Is Maryland good for government contracting?
Yes. Maryland's proximity to Washington D.C. makes it one of the best states for government contracting. The state is home to major federal agencies including NSA, NIH, and FDA.
How fast can I form a Maryland LLC?
Standard processing takes 7-10 business days. Expedited processing ($50) reviews within 7-14 business days; same-day rush online filing is available for $325 (within 3 hours if submitted before 2:30 PM on a business day).
What makes Maryland good for biotech?
Maryland is a major biotech hub, home to the NIH, FDA, and numerous pharmaceutical companies. The I-270 Technology Corridor in Montgomery County has one of the highest concentrations of biotech firms in the nation.
Maryland government filing resources
Filing fees for common LLC 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 entity to file a change of principal office, resident agent, or resident agent's address.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Maryland LLC
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Maryland LLC?
Formation is free — you pay only the $150 Maryland state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 7-10 business days.
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