How To File The Maryland Annual Report For LLC (2026 Guide)

Once your Maryland Limited Liability Company (LLC) is legally established, one of your most important ongoing obligations is to file your Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return. The state uses these filings to maintain accurate and up-to-date info on your business operations.

To do so, you need to pay the $300 filing fee and complete the required sections according to your current business details. You may actually owe more depending on your LLC’s Personal Property Tax Return.

I’ve walked you through the main Maryland LLC Annual Report filing steps, including the key deadlines and expectations from the state.

An Overview Of The Maryland LLC Annual Report Filing

Every LLC operating in Maryland must file an Annual Report under Maryland Tax-Property Code § 11-101. This is mandatory.

Alongside this, you’ll need to complete a Personal Property Tax Return if any of the following statements are true:

• You own, use, or lease personal property located in the state.
• Having a Trader’s License with a local Maryland government unit.

When it comes to filing your Maryland Annual Report and Business Personal Property Tax Return, you can do them online or by mail.

• Online via the state’s Business Express page. 
• Submitting the state’s forms and instructions by mail

Unfortunately, I can’t give you the exact form as it gets updated each year. Even so, the main content is the same so don’t worry too much. You’ve still got the main guidance on how to correctly fill things out below.

Once filed, your online submission should be processed immediately or within the same day. You’ll have to wait longer when filing by mail, with things generally taking around 4 to 6 weeks to get over the line.

1. Maryland Annual Report Due Date

So, your Annual Report is due by April 15 each year. The first one must be completed the year following your LLCs inital approval date.

Putting these dates into practice, your first report is due by April 15, 2027 if your LLC is approved anytime in 2026. Simple enough.

2. Maryland LLC Annual Report Fee

The minimum Annual Report fee is $300, but this may be more depending on your Personal Property tax Return requirements. Your exact fee will be determined when you navigate through the required filing steps.

How To File Your Maryland Annual Report Online

1. Log In

To begin your filing, navigate to the Business Express page. Log in to your account.

2. Find Your Annual Report

On the Business tab, click the “Options for this Business” button next to your LLC name. Find the “File Annual Report/Personal Tax Return” button in the dropdown menu to start your filing.

Don’t worry if you can’t find your business. You can search for it and add it to your account before coming back to your Annual Report filing.

3. Start Filing

Click “Continue” to begin your filing once you’ve checked your main business info.

Then, click “Start Filing” to continue.

3. Business Information

a. Business Name And Mailing Address

This part is pretty simple. Check the autofilled information in the “Business Name and Mailing Address” fields.

Don’t worry about the other fields (except for total gross sales). They’re optional, so you can leave them blank.

Need to make changes? Click directly on the relevant field and make the edits. If a line doesn’t appear as a field box, the info is fixed and can’t be changed.

b. Total Gross Sales

Scroll down to the bottom of the page once you’ve made any required changes.

Now provide your business’s total gross sales for the last year and check any boxes that apply to your operations.

4. MarylandSaves

This is a state retirement savings program for your employees. You’ll need to either enter a qualified retirement plan or register for MarylandSaves.

If you have no employees, you’ll be considered exempt from the program and can move on.

The good news is that you don’t need to worry about the Annual Report filing fee if you were approved for a MarylandSaves fee waiver before December 31. You must fulfil one of the following one of the following criteria to qualify:

1. You’ve used MarylandSaves and processed at least one employee contribution.
2. You’ve offered another qualified retirement plan, submitted your MarylandSaves fee waiver request, and kept your good standing with SDAT.

Not sure whether you’re required to participate or qualify for a fee waiver? Check the MarylandSaves page to see your status.

After checking your requirements, choose the answer that applies to your business to continue.

5. Corporate Diversity Information

You may need to complete a Corporate Diversity Addendum alongside your Maryland Annual Report in some cases.

Answer the business entity questions according to your operations. Unfortunately, you may lose access to certain state benefits if you skip this or don’t qualify, so check everything carefully.

Answer “Yes” to the first part, as your business is formed or registered in Maryland.

Once you’ve answered the previous question, a multiple-choice question should appear. Simply choose the option that best describes your business and click “Save & Continue” to move on. At least one answer is required.

6. Review Your Maryland Annual Report Form

Carefully review everything before certifying your filing.

To do so, click on each section’s dropdown button and edit accordingly if anything needs to be changed. You can only make edits if you see an “edit” button next to a section.

Make the necessary changes and continue to the signature section.

7. Certification & Signature

Choose “Owner” for the title section and enter your info for your e-signature.

You must check the certification box at the bottom before continuing.

8. Payment

The online system should show a table with your Annual Report fee. Click “Make Payment” to begin your payment process.

You’re able to make payment via credit card or PayPal. Simply enter your payment details and billing address in the required fields to complete your transaction. Remember, online payments will incur a 3% processing fee.

Congratulations! Your Annual Report is now filed once your payment goes through. Visit the Business Express page to check your filing status.

How To File A Maryland Annual Report By Mail

You’re able to complete your Annual Report filing by mail if you prefer to do everything manually. It’ll take longer, but it’s a feasible option if you’re happy to wait.

To start your mail filing, download the current year’s application form via the state’s Forms and Instructions page. I’ve used the 2026 version as the guideline on how to fill the required sections.

Two main parts may need to be completed:

1. The Annual Report (sections I, III, IV, V).
2. The Business Personal Property Tax Return (sections VI, VII, VIII, IX).

As I’ve done for the online filing process, I won’t go into too much detail regarding your Business Personal Property Tax Return. Enlist the help of a licensed accountant to complete the required sections, and you should be good to go.

1. Part 1: Annual Report

a. Section I: General Information

This part lists your main business info. Make sure it matches the records maintained by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). If not, you’ll face filing delays and potential rejections.

Provide the following main business details:

• Your exact legal name as stated in the SDAT records.
• Your business mailing address. Tick the “Check here if this is a change of mailing address” box if you want to make changes.
• Department ID number as shown on your Articles of Organization.
• Employer Identification Number (EIN). Do NOT use your Social Security Number (SSN) for this field.
• Your 6 digit Federl Prinicipal Business Code (also your NAICS code) followed by a description of your main business activities. Use your NAICS code’s name to make things easy here.
• Answers to the employer obligation/ MarylandSaves questions, if applicable.
• Any trade name or DBA if used.
• A valid email address for SDAT notices.

b. Section III: Corporate Diversity Addendum Questions

This part contains questions (A-D) related to the Corporate Diversity Addendum. The answers you provide determine whether one is required. Make sure you submit any required info, as you may lose certain state benefits if you don’t provide everything.

You’re legally obligated to submit a Corporate Diversity Addendum with your Annual Report if you answer “No” to questions B, C, and D. Don’t forget this.

c. Section IV: Personal Property Questions

Answers given in this section will be used to determine whether you need to file a Business Personal Property Tax Return. Here’s what to do.

If you own, lease, or use business personal property in the state with a total original cost of $20,000 or more, choose “Yes” for Question A. If this is the case, you’ll need to complete the remaining Business Personal Property Return sections (Sections VI – IX).

Choose “No” for Question A, and you’ll need to review Question B. If you sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of business property before January 1, 2026, select “Yes” and complete Section VIII only. Sign your name in Section IX to complete that part of your filing.

Sections VI to XI are not relevant if you picked “No” for Questions A and B. Your authorized signer will still need to initial or sign where indicated on the form.

d. Section V: Signature & Contact Info

This final section requires you to state the name and contact info of the person signing your report (Part A). Make sure this is an LLC member, manager, or other authorized representative.

Ask your preparer to complete Part B if someone else prepared your filing. The fields are self-explanatory.

4. File Your Document

Once you’ve completed the required sections, prepare a check or money order and place it in your filing envelope. Your payment must be made payable to the Department of Assessments and Taxation or D.A.T., with your Department ID number on the check.

Mail your completed form and payment to the following address.

Department of Assessments and Taxation
Business Services Unit
P.O. Box 17052
Baltimore, MD 21297-1052

Why Do You Need To File The Annual Report In Maryland?

You’re in big trouble if you fail to file your Maryland Annual Report. You’ll lose your good standing with the SDAT and face severe state-level penalties. I’ve discussed some of the main ones to expect in the following sections.

1. Penalties For Not Filing Annual Report

You’ll be charged with a state penalty if you don’t file your report on time under the Md. Code, Tax-Property § 14-704. This can quickly add up.

There’s an initial penalty up to 0.1% of the total assessed value of your property across all counties where it’s located. This is a minimum of $30 to $50 and a maximum of $500, depending on how late your filing is.

If this wasn’t enough, you have to deal with an additional penalty equal to 2% interest on the initial penalty every 30 days. This stays in place until your report is filed or for part of 30 days, provided that your report is still overdue.

2. Loss Of “Good Standing”

Miss your deadline, and you’ll most likely lose your good standing status with the state. This isn’t good. Once in place, the state may restrict your business activities until your report is filed and you get your good standing back.

Putting this into practice, you might not be able to complete certain business filings, obtain a Certificate of Status, or complete transactions via the Maryland Business Express. You’ll also face issues opening bank accounts, renewing required licenses, applying for loans, and dealing with government agencies.

Simply put, you lose your operating efficiency and can’t properly grow your LLC. Keep everything in order, and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

3. Forfeiture Of The LLC (Administrative Dissolution)

Under the Md. Code, Corporations and Associations § 4A-911, the state can forfeit your right to conduct business in the state if you don’t file your report by October 1 of the year following your required filing date. Furthermore, you lose your exclusive right to operate under your chosen business name.

Key State Contact Information

1. Maryland SDAT Key Contact Information

You can contact the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation if you have any general questions regarding your business info. Specifically, contact the Corporate Name Availability division within Business Services.

To do this, dial 410-767-1330.

Support is available Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm Eastern Time.

2. Maryland Business Personal Property Unit

Got questions regarding the Business Personal Property Return? Speak to the Maryland Business Personal Property unit for more help.

• Phone: 410-767-1170 (or toll-free at 1-888-246-5941)
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Business Personal Property Division
  700 East Pratt Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 2700 Baltimore,
  MD 21202
• Working hours: Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm EST

Frequently Asked Questions