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How much does an LLC cost in Maryland? (2026)
Forming an LLC in Maryland costs $100 in state filing fees. Year one comes to $100 and 5 years to $1,300, above the median state ($335). After formation, the main yearly cost is the annual report at $300.
Maryland LLC, 5 years
State fees, acting as your own registered agent
Year 1
Years 2 to 5
Assumes the recurring report is first due in year 2 and the minimum state tax every year from year 1. Income-based taxes and county or newspaper costs are not included.
Fees and official sources
| Fee | Amount | How often | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formation filing | $100 | once | official page |
| Recurring report | $300 | every year | official page |
| Minimum state tax | $0 | none found on official pages | being checked |
Adding a registered agent
You can be your own registered agent if you have a street address in Maryland and are there in business hours. With the lowest standalone price on our list, Harbor Compliance (registered agent) at $99 a year, the 5-year cost becomes $1,795. Compare registered agent prices.
Maryland deadlines and late penalties
- The annual report (Form 1, filed with the business personal property return) is due April 15 for every LLC formed or registered in Maryland as of January 1, even with no Maryland property. Not filing can lead to forfeiture of the LLC's right to do business in Maryland.
- A return filed after April 15 brings a penalty of one tenth of one percent of the county assessment or a base penalty, whichever is greater. The base penalty starts at $30 for 1 to 15 days late and can reach $500, so an LLC with no property still pays. Interest is added for each 30 days late.
What to know before you file in Maryland
- Nothing unusual on the official pages we read.
Maryland compared with nearby states
Among nearby states, Pennsylvania costs $1,147 less over 5 years and Delaware costs $390 more than Maryland. The state where you form is usually the state where the LLC does business; forming elsewhere can mean registering in both.
| State | To file | Year 1 | Average per year after | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $100 | $100 | $300 | $1,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $125 | $7 | $153 |
| Virginia | $100 | $100 | $50 | $300 |
| Delaware | $90 | $90 | $400 | $1,690 |
Questions
- How much does it cost to start an LLC in Maryland?
- The state filing fee is $100. Counting the recurring report and minimum state tax, year one costs $100 in state fees if you act as your own registered agent.
- How much does an LLC cost per year in Maryland?
- After the first year, state fees average $300 a year: the annual report is $300 every year.
- Is Maryland a cheap state for an LLC?
- Over 5 years Maryland costs $1,300 in state fees, which ranks 43 of 49 jurisdictions we have confirmed, cheapest first. The median is $335.
Sources, read verified 2026-11-15: dat.maryland.gov/businesses/documents/fees.pdf · dat.maryland.gov/SDAT%20Forms/PPR_Forms/2024Form1IAnnualnstructions_Bu