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Best Maryland LLC Formation Service in 2026
Maryland is one of those "middle of the road" states for LLC formation: the $150 filing fee is reasonable, but the $300/year annual report combined with a mandatory Personal Property Tax Return makes ongoing compliance more expensive than it looks on the brochure. If you're forming a Maryland LLC, the service you pick decides whether you stay compliant year after year — or miss a filing and get administratively dissolved.
We've tested most of the major providers. Here's the honest ranking, written for one-person company founders who care about total cost over 2 years and what actually happens when you need a US bank account.
Quick verdict
| Service | Best for | Filing fee (MD) | Service fee | Reg. Agent | EIN included | Non-US friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doola | Non-US founders, one-person company | $150 | from $297 (Starter) | ✅ 1 yr | ✅ (incl. SS-4 paper filing) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Northwest | US residents wanting privacy | $150 | $39 + state | ✅ 1 yr | ❌ (+$50) | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| ZenBusiness | US residents, low budget | $150 | $0 (Starter) | ✅ 1 yr | ❌ (+$99) | ⭐⭐ |
| LegalZoom | Brand recognition | $150 | $0 (Basic) | $249/yr | ❌ (+$79) | ⭐⭐ |
| Bizee (formerly IncFile) | US residents, free starter | $150 | $0 + state | ✅ 1 yr | ❌ (+$70) | ⭐⭐ |
| DIY (Maryland Business Express) | US founders with SSN | $150 | $0 | ❌ ($125+/yr separately) | DIY (free with SSN) | ⭐ |
Our recommendation for non-US founders: Doola — they're the only major service that bundles LLC + EIN + Registered Agent + US business address + Mercury Bank introduction, and they own the SS-4 paper filing for founders without an SSN.
Disclosure: We have an affiliate relationship with Doola — code
LLCCLASS10gives you 10% off and supports our work at no extra cost to you.
Maryland LLC basics
- Filing fee: $150 (Articles of Organization, one-time, filed via Maryland Business Express)
- Annual Report + Personal Property Tax Return: $300/year, due April 15 — yes, both filings are bundled and required
- State income tax: Pass-through; Maryland honors federal treatment, with state personal income tax owed on Maryland-sourced income
- Privacy: Members are NOT listed on the Articles. Only the Registered Agent's name and address are public — better than most states
- Processing: ~2 weeks online via Maryland Business Express, 5–8 weeks by mail
The $300 annual report is the line item most founders miss. Combined with the registered agent renewal, you're looking at ~$425/year ongoing — closer to Massachusetts territory than to Wyoming. See our best state for LLC comparison before you commit.
Service-by-service breakdown
1. Doola — best for non-US founders forming a Maryland LLC
- Pricing: Starter $297/yr, Total Compliance $799/yr
- What's included: LLC filing + EIN (handles SS-4 paper filing for non-SSN founders) + Registered Agent (1 year) + US business address + Mercury Bank introduction
- Turnaround: 2–4 weeks for non-US founders (EIN paper filing bottleneck), ~2 weeks for US founders (matches Maryland's online processing)
- Why we use it: One dashboard for LLC + EIN + RA + bank. Doola's Total Compliance plan also includes annual report reminders, which matters in Maryland where the $300 deadline sneaks up on April 15.
- Caveat: Renewal cost is higher than Northwest. If you already have a US SSN and address, Northwest is cheaper over 3 years.
→ Doola signup with LLCCLASS10 code (10% off)
→ Full Doola 2026 review
2. Northwest Registered Agent — best for US residents who value privacy
- Pricing: $39 service fee + $150 state filing + $125/yr registered agent (after year 1)
- What's included: LLC filing + 1 year registered agent + privacy-by-default (their name on public filings, not yours)
- EIN: NOT included, +$50
- Why pick: Solid US support, no aggressive upsells, fast Maryland filings
- Why skip for non-US: They will not file SS-4 paper for EIN; non-SSN founders are on their own
3. ZenBusiness — US founders on a budget
- Pricing: Free Starter (state filing only), Pro $199/yr, Premium $349/yr
- EIN: NOT included on Starter, +$99
- Caveat: The free tier comes with year-2 renewal upsells. Good for a starter, painful at renewal.
4. LegalZoom — brand recognition, but expensive
- Pricing: Basic $0 + state, Pro $249, Premium $349
- EIN: +$79
- Why pick: If the LegalZoom brand matters for US investor optics
- Why skip: Highest total cost of ownership over 3 years; cancellation flow is rough
5. Bizee (formerly IncFile) — free starter
- Pricing: Free + state, Gold $199, Platinum $299
- EIN: +$70
- Caveat: Compliance tracking is weak; we've heard from Maryland users who missed the $300 annual report
6. DIY — for founders with US SSN, address, and patience
- Cost: $150 state filing + ~$125/yr registered agent + EIN free via IRS online (with SSN)
- Why pick: Pure cost optimization
- Why skip if non-US: SS-4 paper filing from outside the US is the kill switch — Doola handles it for you
Step-by-step Maryland LLC formation
- Choose a name — must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company". Check availability at the Maryland Business Entity Search.
- Designate a Registered Agent — must have a physical Maryland street address. PO boxes are not allowed.
- File Articles of Organization — $150 to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation via Maryland Business Express (online) or by mail.
- Get EIN from IRS — free online for US residents with SSN (5 minutes). Non-US founders file SS-4 by fax/mail — 4–8 weeks turnaround.
- Open a US business bank account — Mercury Bank is the standard non-US founder choice; 3-hour approval once your LLC and EIN are clean.
- File Annual Report + Personal Property Tax Return — $300 total, due April 15 every year. Missing this is the #1 reason Maryland LLCs get dissolved.
- Track local licenses — Maryland has no state-level general business license, but counties and cities (Baltimore especially) often require local permits.
FAQ
Why is Maryland's annual cost so high?
The $300 annual report bundles the Personal Property Tax Return — you pay it even if your LLC owns zero tangible property. Total annual carry is ~$425/year (report + registered agent), which is high relative to no-annual-report states like Missouri or Ohio.
Can a non-US resident form a Maryland LLC?
Yes. Maryland does not require US citizenship or residency. You need a Maryland-based registered agent (covered by any formation service above) and a way to get an EIN without SSN (covered by Doola's SS-4 paper filing path).
Is Maryland a good state for a non-US founder to form an LLC?
Usually no. The $300/year annual report makes it more expensive than Wyoming or Delaware, and Maryland doesn't offer compensating privacy or tax benefits. Pick Maryland only if you have actual Maryland business activity (DMV-area clients, government contracts, local services).
What happens if I miss the April 15 filing?
Late fees stack up, and Maryland will eventually administratively dissolve your LLC — meaning you lose limited liability protection. Doola's Total Compliance plan includes the reminder; if you DIY, set 3 calendar reminders.