Business

Forming an LLC in Maryland — Hispanic entrepreneur guide

How to form an LLC in Maryland: $100 formation fee and a $300 annual report (Form 1), step-by-step process.

Flag: Michael Wheeler · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

Image: Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Forming an LLC in Maryland

Why Maryland

Highest concentration of Salvadoran/Central American immigrants in country (Silver Spring, Hyattsville) Access to government markets (DC contractor work) Higher annual cost ($300) than many states Hispanic community 11% of state Accepts ITIN

Key facts

Item	Information
Formation fee	$100
Annual fee	$300 annual report (Form 1)
Deadline	Annual Report due April 15 each year ($300); the business personal-property return is part of the same Form 1 and carries no separate fee
Accepts ITIN	✅ Yes

Formation process

Choose unique name ending in “LLC”
Designate Registered Agent in Maryland
File Articles of Organization ($100)
Create Operating Agreement
Get EIN from IRS (free)
Open business bank account

Platform: Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation

Last verified: 2026-09-02.

State services and resources in Maryland

Where to register your LLC in Maryland

The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) handles LLC registrations. Generally accepts filings:

Online (fastest)
By mail
In person, where the office offers it

The steps that are the same in every state — EIN, business bank account, annual report, estimated taxes, ITIN ownership and the common errors — are maintained once, on the LLC formation hub.

Maryland-specific resources

Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) — LLC filings and business search
Comptroller of Maryland — state business taxes
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) — free small business mentoring
SBA (Small Business Administration) — free counseling via SCORE and SBDC, open to everyone. ⚠️ SBA loans (7(a), 504, microloans) are closed to non-citizen owners since March/April 2026 — including green-card holders. See who can still use each SBA program and the CDFI lenders that do accept an ITIN.

Last verified: 2026-09-02.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.

ITIN — file business taxes without SSN — ITIN holders can form and operate LLCs
ITIN-friendly business banking — checking accounts that open without an SSN
USCIS forms — H-1B, L-1, E-2 investor visas — when LLC ownership supports a visa case
State income tax obligations — business taxes vary by state
Find an immigration attorney — for complex investor or work-visa cases tied to your LLC

Frequently asked questions

Do I need SSN to form an LLC in Maryland?

NO. You can form an LLC in Maryland using ITIN or just passport number. After, to open a bank account for the LLC, you’ll need EIN (free Federal Tax ID from IRS, NO SSN required) and possibly the holder’s ITIN.

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Maryland?

In Maryland, the LLC formation fee is $100. The annual report (Form 1) costs $300; the business personal-property return is the other half of the same form and carries no separate fee. Other costs: a registered agent (free if you serve as your own agent with a Maryland address; otherwise a yearly commercial fee), an operating agreement (free if you draft it yourself), and any annual report or franchise fee. The EIN is free from the IRS.

Better to form LLC in Maryland or in Wyoming/Delaware?

If your business operates in Maryland, cheapest is forming LLC in Maryland. If you operate in another state but register the LLC in Wyoming/Delaware, you must register as ‘foreign LLC’ in your operating state — paying both fees. Wyoming/Delaware only makes sense for passive LLCs (rentals, investments, holding companies).

Does my Maryland LLC pay taxes?

By default, single-member LLC is ‘disregarded entity’ (taxes flow through to owner via Schedule C). Multi-member LLC treated as ‘partnership’ (Form 1065). You can elect S-Corp or C-Corp taxation via Form 2553/8832. Consult CPA with ITIN experience.

The rules change. Hear about it first.

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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.