If you Google “start an LLC,” you’ll get a lot of results instantly. Most of them will be advertisements for different LLC formation services: LegalZoom, Incfile, Incorporate.com, Swyft Filings, Zen Business…the list goes on and on.
An LLC service is, for a lot of entrepreneurs, a lifesaver. Starting a business is a complicated process. It takes a lot of paperwork, and many people get overwhelmed by the legal procedures: filing for taxes, getting business licenses and permits, filling out the formation documents, and more.
Then there are requirements for ongoing compliance in Maryland such as hiring a registered agent and filing annual reports.
LLC services take on most of that burden for you: you give them a bit of information about you and your business, and the service starts your business on your behalf. This process is perfectly legal, and hiring one frees you up to focus on the more “exciting” parts of your business. Most LLC services also offer registered agent service, helping you with ongoing compliance.
Maryland LLC Fast Facts
- LLC Formation Speed: 3 weeks with standard filings; approximately 7 business days for expedited filings
- Cost to File an MD LLC: $100, plus the service’s fee if you use one
- How to File Your Articles of Organization: Online or by mail
- Annual Reports: Due each year by April 15th; costs $300 to file
- State General Business License: Not administered on the state level, but most businesses must obtain one from the local Clerk of the Circuit Court; industry licenses may also apply
- PLLCs: Not an option in MD
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The Top 4 LLC Services in Maryland
LLC formation services are a big help, but not all LLC formation services are created equal.
Between price differences, the extras offered (or excluded), and overall quality, some are better than others. And as a busy entrepreneur, you probably don’t want to spend your time sorting through the good ones and bad ones.
Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you and compared the top LLC formation services. We’ve done our best to consider all the important categories, including cost, ongoing fees, customer service, and more. Based on those criteria, here are the four top LLC formation services.
1. Zen Business
Thanks to competitive technology and a dedication to affordability, Zen Business has one of the most affordable formation-plus-registered-agent packages available.
If you choose their Pro package ($149 annually), you’ll get a business formation, registered agent service, an operating agreement template, a risk-free accounting assessment, a banking resolution template, and access to their Worry-Free Compliance program for a flat annual fee.
- Formation package price: Starting at $39, plus MD LLC setup fee of $100 for a total of $139 (renews annually for $119)
- Registered agent service: $99 a la carte, but $119 in an annual package
- Customer service: Zen Business offers outstanding customer service thanks to their smaller customer base and individualized attention.
- Ease of use: Zen Business offers helpful tools for tracking annual reports and more, but the order process can be a bit confusing.
- Customer reviews: Overwhelmingly positive, with 4.8/5 stars on Trustpilot across 4,700+ reviews
2. Incfile
If start-up costs are your primary concern, Incfile is a great option. They are a free Maryland LLC registration service and don’t require any fees until the second year.
Incfile doesn’t have as many bonus features as some of its competitors, but they do offer all the essentials at an extra fee — filing an EIN, registering a DBA, filing annual reports, and a few others.
- Formation package price: No cost beyond Maryland’s $100 LLC filing fee
- Registered agent service: First year free, and then $119 per year
- Customer service: Incfile recently doubled their customer service team, improving their response times — which were already pretty good to begin with!
- Ease of use: While there’s nothing fancy to Incfile’s order process, that’s a good thing. There aren’t a ton of messy gimmicks to sort through when ordering a package from Incfile.
- Customer reviews: Fantastic; over 98% are positive across 21,000+ reviews on Shopper Approved
3. Northwest Registered Agent
“We’re just not annoying” is their brand promise, and they stick to it. Northwest Registered Agent may be smaller than some of their competitors, but they leverage more industry experience than their competitors, too.
They also throw in a free year of registered agent service, which keeps your start-up fees low. Compared to Zen Business, our top pick, Northwest is a touch more expensive (assuming you buy the Basic package). But they have outstanding customer support that makes those prices worth a look.
- Formation package price: $225
- Registered agent service: $125 annually, but the first year is free
- Customer service: Northwest assigns a dedicated account representative to each client, ensuring prompt, personalized service.
- Ease of use: Northwest keeps their order form simple — no need for upsells to clutter up the process.
- Customer reviews: Primarily positive on most 3rd-party review sites; however, reviews are limited in number
4. LegalZoom
If you prefer to work with a large, established brand, then LegalZoom is about as big as it gets.
Founded in 2001, LegalZoom’s offerings have grown from 10 initial online legal offerings to hundreds of different services. Compared to some other services in this guide, LegalZoom has a higher price tag. But if you’re looking for a one-stop legal shop, you’ll find a wide variety of other services.
- Formation package price: starting at $79, plus state fees for a total of $179
- Registered agent service: $249 per year (first year for $159 if added to a formation package)
- Customer service: As a large company, LegalZoom’s customer service won’t have the same personal touch as other companies we’ve listed.
- Ease of use: Many customers complain that the order process with LegalZoom is long and confusing. Many upsells are presented, even before you have a chance to choose your package.
- Customer reviews: Mixed; most negative reviews stem from a misunderstanding of the package offerings and ongoing fees
What Is a Maryland LLC?
Short for limited liability company, a Maryland LLC is an entity type that combines the flexibility of a sole proprietorship with the personal asset protection of a corporation. We get it — that’s a lot of words. So let’s unpack what that means.
If you start selling handcrafted apparel from your house (which is totally legal), you’d be operating as a sole proprietorship. From a legal standpoint, sole proprietorships are the same entity as their owners.
That means everything the business “owns” from fabrics to sewing machines and so on are actually owned by the sole proprietor. The proprietor pays any and all taxes, too. And if the business is sued or taken to court, the owner can lose his or her personal belongings to pay the damages.
In contrast, registered entities like LLCs have personal asset protection because the business is considered a separate legal entity from its owners. The business itself can own assets, maintain a bank account, and be sued. And in turn, the members of the business cannot lose their assets if something goes wrong with the business.
But unlike corporations, LLCs don’t have a bunch of complicated requirements. That makes it a good choice for entrepreneurs who want to keep filings simple but still get asset protection.
Pros and Cons of Creating a Limited Liability Company
An LLC is one of the most popular entity types nationwide. But it isn’t the right type for everyone.
Only you can pick which entity type best fits you and your business; after all, you understand your business idea better than anyone. You have a clear vision for your products and services, both present and future.
To truly determine whether an LLC is right for you, it’s helpful to consider the advantages and disadvantages of LLCs.
Pros
- Easier to form and maintain than a corporation
- Personal asset protection
- Flexible taxation structure; can pay as a partnership or a corporation
- Business name is protected for exclusive use within state boundaries
Cons
- No authority to issue stock, so opportunities to raise capital are limited
- In some states, annual fees and taxes can be higher than partnerships or sole proprietorships
- Requires more paperwork than some entrepreneurs are comfortable with
How to Set Up a Maryland LLC on Your Own
Technically speaking, you don’t have to use an LLC formation service like Zen Business or LegalZoom. These services are incredibly helpful, but you can save money by completing the process yourself.
You can read our complete guide to DIY an LLC setup in Maryland, but here’s a quick look at the process:
Choose a business name
Every LLC in Maryland needs a name that’s memorable and gives potential clients a good idea of what goods or services are available. The name also needs to be unique — both for legal reasons and so your business stands out from the competition.
Appoint a MD registered agent
Like we’ve mentioned in this guide, every LLC needs an agent who can accept service of process on your behalf. In most states, you can act as your own registered agent as long as you have a physical address in the state. That said, we generally recommend that you appoint someone else (like an online service) to act as your agent.
File the Articles of Organization
This document, once filled out and filed, officially forms your business in the state of Maryland. You’ll need to provide some important information, including your contact information, your business address, signatures for your LLC’s members, and more. Maryland has a $100 filing fee.
Setting up the LLC is as easy as 1-2-3; it’s the maintenance requirements that are a bit more complicated:
Register for and pay taxes
If you have employees, you’ll need to get an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. Then there are state-specific taxes, too. Maryland keeps income taxes pretty simple with flat rates. Corporations will pay at an 8.25% rate; individuals pay at a rate of 5.75%. Most businesses will also need to account for the state sales tax (6%). You can learn more about these and other miscellaneous taxes at the Comptroller of Maryland.
Get licenses and permits
You won’t need to obtain a business license from the state, but you probably need to get one from your local Clerk of the Circuit Court. There’s also a good chance that you need to obtain some professional licenses, too. Consult Maryland’s Business OneStop Portal to get started.
Create an operating agreement
Even single-member LLCs should create a “master document” that sets out how the business will operate, both now and in the future.
File your annual report
Each year, your LLC will need to file an annual report to update the state about the standing of your business. It’s due by April 15th, but there is a $300 filing fee for this document.
Obtain business insurance
Every business with employees needs to maintain workers’ compensation insurance and a commercial vehicle policy for company-owned vehicles. You may also want to get a general business liability policy, too.
Get a business bank account
You should sign up for a business bank account so you can write checks and make purchases in the name of the business instead of pulling from your personal accounts (a legal no-no).
This is just the tip of the iceberg, though. For more detailed guidance, we recommend contacting an attorney or checking out the full Maryland LLC Formation Guide.
Conclusion
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Forming an LLC is possible on your own, and it’s cheaper to do so. But the process can be overwhelming. LLC formation services make it possible to start your LLC without all the hassle, but that convenience will cost you. Either way, starting a Maryland LLC enables you to run a business that’s recognized by the state and federal government.