Maryland LLC Cost (2026): $150 Online and a $300 Annual Report
By Frédéric Deltour, Entrepreneur and Business Consultant, 22+ years forming and operating companies.
Published: September 12, 2026 · Last updated: October 10, 2026
Maryland is cheap to enter and expensive to stay in. The formation fee is ordinary, but the $300 annual report puts Maryland among the costliest states for yearly upkeep, alongside Massachusetts and Tennessee. Maryland also does things differently: LLCs file with the Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), not a Secretary of State, and the annual report doubles as a business personal property return.
Why Online Filing Costs $150, Not $100
The base fee for Maryland Articles of Organization is $100. But filings submitted online through Maryland Business Express are all processed as expedited, and SDAT adds its $50 expedite fee automatically. That makes the practical online cost $150, and card payments on the portal can add a small convenience fee on top.
You can still file by mail for $100, but standard mail processing has historically taken several weeks. Paying the $50 expedite on a mailed filing shortens that to roughly one to two weeks. Same-day service exists too, at $325 online or $425 in person, which most new LLCs do not need.
A filing that SDAT rejects can be corrected and resubmitted within 60 days without paying again.
Maryland's business search shows your resident agent's address to the public. $39 formation + $150 state fee, free registered agent for year one, then $125/yr.
$39 formation fee · Free registered agent for 12 months · Your address stays off public records · No data selling · No hidden fees
Form Your LLC with Northwest ($39) →Lowest 3-year cost we found: Northwest $289 vs Bizee $298 vs ZenBusiness $497 (service fees; state fees extra). Northwest also puts its address on your public filings instead of yours where the state allows.The $300 Annual Report (Form 1)
Every Maryland LLC files an annual report with SDAT by April 15, starting the year after it is formed. The fee is $300 whether the LLC made money or not. The same filing serves as the business personal property return: if your LLC owns furniture, equipment, or inventory in Maryland, you report it here, and the local county may then send a separate personal property tax bill.
If you need more time, SDAT grants a 60-day extension to June 15, free of charge, as long as you request it by April 15.
Over three years, the annual reports alone cost $600, four times the formation fee.
Late Penalties, Interest, and Forfeiture
A late annual report triggers a penalty. SDAT charges the greater of one tenth of 1% of the county assessment or a base penalty that grows with delay: $30 if the report is 1 to 15 days late, $40 for 16 to 30 days, and $50 after 31 days. Interest of 2% is added for every 30 days the fee stays unpaid.
An LLC that keeps missing reports is eventually forfeited, meaning it loses its right to operate in Maryland. Reviving a forfeited LLC requires filing the missing reports and paying the fees and penalties before it can return to good standing.
The MarylandSaves Fee Waiver
Maryland waives the $300 annual report fee for businesses that participate in MarylandSaves, the state's retirement savings program for private-sector workers. For an LLC with employees who would use the program anyway, the waiver can wipe out the state's largest recurring fee. The report itself still has to be filed.
- Income tax: Maryland LLCs taxed as partnerships or sole proprietorships pass profit through to the owners, who pay Maryland state and county income tax.
- Trade name: operating under a different name requires a trade name filing with SDAT.
Maryland 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $189 ($150 online + $39, RA free) | $425 ($300 annual report + $125 RA) | $425 (same) | $1,039 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $249 ($150 + $0 + $99 RA) | $499 ($300 + $199 RA) | $499 (same) | $1,247 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $150 ($100 articles + $50 online expedite) | $300 (annual report) | $300 (annual report) | $750 |
A Maryland LLC costs $750 in state fees over three years, most of it annual reports. The $289 extra with Northwest Registered Agent buys registered agent service after year one and April reminders, which matter more here than in low-fee states because late penalties compound monthly.
Form your Maryland LLC for $39 + $150 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders, and your home address kept off public records.
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
When a Maryland LLC may not be worth it yet: $300 a year is a real cost for a side project earning a few hundred dollars. If you have no liability exposure yet, waiting until the business has steady revenue is reasonable. Forming late in the year does not avoid the first report, because it is due the April after formation.
Why I Choose Northwest Registered Agent
After forming 3 LLCs myself and helping clients through the process, I keep coming back to Northwest Registered Agent. Here is why:
- Remarkable Customer Support: Quick, human responses every time.
- Caring & Privacy-Focused: Genuine service with full respect for your privacy.
- Lightning-Fast Formation: Often faster than promised.
- Incredible Value: $39 includes a free business address, mail scanning, and more.
- Clear & Transparent: No hidden fees or surprises.
Ready to form your business? Choose Northwest today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Maryland?
The base fee is $100, but online filings include a mandatory $50 expedite fee, so filing online costs $150. With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $189, including a free first year of registered agent service.
How much is the Maryland LLC annual report?
$300 per year, due April 15 to SDAT. A free 60-day extension is available if you request it by April 15.
What is the penalty for filing the Maryland annual report late?
The greater of one tenth of 1% of the county assessment or a base penalty of $30 to $50 depending on how late, plus 2% interest per 30 days.
Can the Maryland annual report fee be waived?
Yes. Businesses that participate in MarylandSaves, the state retirement savings program, do not pay the $300 fee, though they still file the report.
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In his 22 years of entrepreneurship, Frédéric Deltour has founded, grown and managed seven NGO's and international companies across diverse industries, including 3 LLCs formed using Northwest Registered Agent. He is a recognized therapist trainer, a published author, and has been featured in Le Parisien, IMDb, Goodreads, and international encyclopedias.
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