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Register a business in Maryland
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Maryland. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Maryland entities are filed with SDAT, Charter Division, online through Maryland Business Express, by mail, or by drop-off. Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
Forming an LLC
- A Maryland LLC is formed by Articles of Organization filed with SDAT (online via Business Express or by mail). Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks. Expedited service takes 7 to 14 business days. Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- Articles of Organization, standard filing fee: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- Articles of Organization, expedited: $150 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- Articles of Organization, same-day, filed online: $425 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- Articles of Organization, same-day, filed on paper: $525 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
Forming a corporation
- A Maryland stock corporation is formed by Articles of Incorporation filed with SDAT. Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- The corporation fee rises when the aggregate par value is above the amount below, or when more than 5,000 no-par shares are authorized. Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- Articles of Incorporation filing fee: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- Organization and capitalization fee, added: $20 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- Aggregate par value above which the fee rises: $100,000 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
Annual or biennial report
- Maryland LLCs and stock corporations file Annual Report Form 1 by April 15 each year. The 2026 filing fee is waived only for businesses approved by MarylandSaves. Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- Every Maryland LLC must file Annual Report and Personal Property Return forms by April 15. Failure to file may result in forfeiture of the right to do business in Maryland. Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- Annual Report filing fee, LLCs and stock corporations (2026 Form 1): $300 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- Annual Report filing fee, non-stock corporations: $0 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- Maryland registers trade names with SDAT (online via Business Express or by form). Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- Trade name filing fee: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
- Expedited service, added: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division, as of
State tax registration
- New businesses register for Maryland tax accounts with the Comptroller using the Combined Registration Application (CRA), filed online through Maryland Business Express. Maryland Business Express (State of Maryland), as of
Statewide business licence
- Certain business types (examples: traders, chain stores, restaurants) must hold a state licence under the Business Regulation Article, Title 17, enforced by the Comptroller’s State License Bureau. Comptroller of Maryland, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Maryland’s pool regulation (COMAR 10.17.01.23) requires a certified pool and spa operator on site whenever a recreational pool is open. At semipublic pools, public spas and limited public-use pools, the operator must be available and able to respond within 30 minutes, or 2 hours for a contractual operator. Maryland Division of State Documents, as of
- Maryland Home Improvement Commission licensing covers home improvement work for homeowners, and its list of work includes pools, hot tubs and pool covers. Here, home improvement means work on a residence or the land next to it. The source does not say whether HOA common-area pools fall under it. Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- Articles of Organization for a Limited Liability Company (Rev. 05/2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division. As of .
- Articles of Incorporation for Stock Corporation (Rev. 03/2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division. As of .
- 2026 Form 1, Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division. As of .
- Trade Name Application (Registration) and Instructions (Rev. 08/2026) Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Charter Division. As of .
- Apply for Maryland Tax Accounts and Insurance Maryland Business Express (State of Maryland). As of .
- Starting a New Business in Maryland Comptroller of Maryland. As of .
- COMAR 10.17.01.23 Maryland Division of State Documents. As of .
- What is Home Improvement? Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
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