LLC for Beginners

LLC for Beginners › Maryland

Forming an LLC in Maryland for the first time

The Maryland filing fee is $100. For a beginner the best service is Mainstay Filing: $199 a year covers the filing, agent, EIN application and the annual report, so year 1 comes to $299.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Your Maryland checklist

  1. File the Articles of Organization. $100 to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).
  2. Registered agent. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. Mainstay Filing includes it.
  3. EIN. Free from the IRS; included in the application Mainstay Filing prepares.
  4. Operating agreement. Write one even for a single owner. No upcharge at Mainstay Filing.
  5. Annual report. Business Entity Annual Report, every year, $300. Due: April 15.
Best for beginners

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year + $100 state fee

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Total for the first three years

$1,297 with Mainstay Filing, state fees included. Others: Northwest Registered Agent $989; ZenBusiness $1,197; Bizee $998; LegalZoom $1,447 (these totals leave out any charge for filing the annual report).

Questions

What is the best LLC service for a beginner in Maryland?

Mainstay Filing. First year $299 including the $100 Maryland filing fee; $499 in year 2.

Can a beginner file an LLC in Maryland without a service?

Yes: file the Articles of Organization with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) for $100. Required registered agent: A Maryland resident, or a Maryland corporation, LLC or limited partnership.

Sources