Notice
Maryland Business Express provides you with all the resources you need to start a business in Maryland. Select from the following:
Search for businesses
Order Certificate(s) of Status
Order business documents
Form the legal entity for your business with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
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What types of business filings can I create?
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Register any of the following Maryland business types:
- Sole Proprietorship
- General Partnership
- Maryland Limited Liability Company
- Maryland Close Corporation
- Maryland Stock Corporation
- Maryland Tax-Exempt Nonstock Corporation
- Maryland Religious Corporation -
Register any of the following Foreign (non-Maryland) business types:
- Foreign Limited Liability Company
- Foreign Corporation - Establish tax accounts
- Register a Trade Name
- For business filing types not currently accepted online, please visit the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website for assistance.
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Register any of the following Maryland business types:
Manage filings, annual reports, personal property returns and other documents for all your businesses
Register a business ‘Trading As’ name with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
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Do I need to register a Trade Name?
- A Trade Name is a “doing business as” name, which may be different from the legal name of the business as registered with the State of Maryland. Registering a Trade Name is not mandatory, but is recommended if you are a Sole Proprietor or Partnership using a name other than the full legal name of the owner or owners, or a Corporation, Limited Partnership, or Limited Liability Company operating under a name other than the name registered with the State of Maryland.
- Please note that a Trade Name is not the same as a Trademark. For more information on how to register a Trademark in Maryland, refer to the Trademarks and Servicemarks FAQ.
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If you can answer YES to ANY of the following questions, then you may proceed to apply for a Trade Name.
1. Is the Trade Name needed for a specific license?
2. Will the Trade Name serve as a “doing business as” name under the legal entity name?
3. Will your trade name be different from your legal entity name?
» File Annual Report and Personal Property Tax Returns
Submit annual filings for any eligible business, even those not registered through Maryland Business Express
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Do I need to file an Annual Report?
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All legal business entities formed, qualified, or registered to do business in Maryland MUST file an Annual Report:
- Legal business entities (Corporations, LLC, LP, LLP, etc.), whether they are foreign or domestic, must file a Form 1 Annual Report (fees apply)
- Credit Unions must file a Form 3 Annual Report (fees apply)
- Financial Institutions, Banks, Savings Banks, Savings & Loans, and Trust Companies must file a Form 5 Annual Report (fees apply)
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All legal business entities formed, qualified, or registered to do business in Maryland MUST file an Annual Report:
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Do I need to file a Personal Property Tax Return?
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If your legal business entity can answer ‘Yes’ to either of the following questions, you MUST file a Personal Property Tax Return.
- Does the business own, lease, or use personal property located in Maryland?
- Does the business maintain a trader’s license with a local unit of government in Maryland?
Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships must file a Form 2 Personal Property Tax Return (no fees apply).
Rental property (condominiums, townhouses, cottages, rooms, etc.) in Ocean City/Worcester County (Unincorporated) must file a Form 7 Personal Property Tax Return (no fees apply).
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If your legal business entity can answer ‘Yes’ to either of the following questions, you MUST file a Personal Property Tax Return.
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Can I file my Annual Report/Personal Property Tax Return online?
- Not all business types can be filed online at this time. If your business falls into one of the following categories, you will NOT be able to file online. Download Annual Report and Personal Property Tax Return forms here.
- Government Entity
- General Partnership
- Credit Union, Financial Institution, Bank, Savings Bank, Savings & Loan, and Trust Companies
- Co-operative (Nonstock)
- Rental Property in Worcester County (Unincorporated)
- Public Utility
- Cable company
- Not all business types can be filed online at this time. If your business falls into one of the following categories, you will NOT be able to file online. Download Annual Report and Personal Property Tax Return forms here.
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Can I file my Annual Report/Personal Property Tax Return for previous years?
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YES, you can file PREVIOUS YEAR annual filings online. However, if your business falls into one of the following categories, you will NOT be able to submit PREVIOUS YEAR filings online. Download Annual Report and/or Personal Property Tax Return forms here. Business entities that are forfeited, or Not in Good Standing (other than dissolved, merged, or consolidated), ARE ELIGIBLE to file, provided they do not fall into the categories listed below:
- Government Entity
- General Partnership
- Credit Union, Financial Institution, Bank, Savings Bank, Savings & Loan, and Trust Companies
- Co-operative (Nonstock)
- Rental Property in Worcester County (Unincorporated)
- Public Utility
- Cable company
- Foreign Entities (Entities formed in a state other than Maryland)
Other important requirements for submitting previous year filings:- Oldest filings must be completed first
- Filings must be completed in order (oldest to most recent)
- Once completed, multiple filings can be submitted with one payment
- Your current year filing may be submitted even if you have incomplete previous year filings
Please be advised that it may take up to 7 business days to review your filing and that further action may be required by you in order for your entity to be returned to Good Standing. You may also contact the Department at sdat.charterhelp@maryland.gov for questions regarding your filing or Good Standing status.- If your entity has been forfeited by the Department, you may need to have your assessment(s) certified, or a ‘No Assessment’ letter issued by the Department, to take to the jurisdiction to pay a bill, and/or get a tax clearance certificate.
- If your entity has not been cleared for revival or reinstatement by another agency, DLLR or Comptroller, you will need to get clearance from them as well, before your documents can be accepted by the Department.
- If your business license is being withheld by the Clerk of the Court, you may have to obtain clearance from the Finance Office of the jurisdiction(s) in which your business is located.
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Establish your necessary tax accounts with the Comptroller of Maryland
Service Fee
This electronic government service includes a $3 eCheck fee or 3% service/convenience fee for filings with payment processed through Maryland Business Express. This fee is assessed by NICUSA, Inc., Maryland's eGovernment service provider, a third party working under a contract administered by the Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT). The service fee is used to develop, maintain, and expand the online service offerings of the state and is non-refundable. Accepted payment methods: credit card, PayPal or eCheck. Accepted credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Customers not wishing to pay the service fee may file by paper with the Department of Assessments of Taxation.