Form an LLC in Maryland.
Filing an LLC in Maryland costs $100 for the Articles of Organization. With a registered agent service ($99/yr) and the Year-1 annual obligations, a typical first-year cost lands near $499. Ongoing cost runs about $399/year.
Run the numbers for Maryland.
Estimates only. Verify with the Maryland Secretary of State before paying. Not legal advice.
Maryland LLC fees, line by line
| Component | Cost / Rule | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | $100 | One-time charge to register the LLC with the state. |
| Annual report | $300 / year | Late or missed reports trigger administrative dissolution in most states. |
| Franchise / business tax | $0 | This state has no minimum franchise tax for LLCs. |
| Registered agent | Required | Every state requires a registered agent. You can be your own RA in your home state at no cost; commercial services run $35–$300/yr. |
| Expedited filing | Available | Typical add-on $50–$100 for 1–3 day turnaround. |
Should you form in this state if you don't live here?
For most operators, the answer is no. An LLC pays state income tax wherever it operates, not where it's formed. Forming in Maryland while doing business in another state means paying both states' fees plus a foreign-qualification fee in your operating state. Real reasons to form in a non-home state: pure IP holdcos, real estate holdcos in the property state, asset-protection structures, or non-US residents with no US nexus. Full breakdown of when forming out-of-state pays off →
Sources & verification
Compare Maryland with other states
See the full ranking — best states to form an LLC → Compare formation services →