How to Form a Maryland Foreign LLC
What is a Maryland Foreign LLC?
In the United States, just because you are registered to do business in one state does not mean that you can legally do business in another state.
If you want to transact any serious business in a state other than the state in which your LLC is registered, most likely you will
have to register with the state in which you want to do business before you can legally conduct business there.
For example, a LLC that is registered in California wants to do business in Maryland.
The California LLC is a "Domestic" LLC in California and will be a "Foreign" LLC in Maryland.
The California LLC needs to register with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation as a Maryland Foreign LLC.
The use of the term Foreign in this case refers specifically to individual US states.
The US government, including the IRS, considers a Foreign company to be a company that is registered outside
of the United States.
What is a Maryland Foreign LLC Qualification?
You want to do business in the state of Maryland but are registered as a LLC in another state.
In order to legally conduct business in the state of Maryland you must register with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation as
a
Foreign LLC.
The process of registering as a Foreign LLC in Maryland is called
Maryland LLC Foreign Qualification.
The process of Maryland LLC Foreign Qualification is similar to the process of forming a Domestic LLC in Maryland.
Your original home LLC formation documents (frequently called Articles of Organization) and By Laws apply to your Maryland Foreign LLC.
The Officers and Directors of your home LLC will have the same roles in the Maryland Foreign LLC.
Specific requirements to qualify as a Foreign LLC in Maryland are explained below.
Once you have made the decision to Qualify as a Foreign LLC in Maryland,
a Maryland lawyer can file your documents and act as a middle man for a few hundred dollars an hour;
or you can use an online service provider like All Business Documents to perform these services.
Put the money you save with All Business Documents right where it belongs: into your new Maryland Foreign LLC.
Do I need a lawyer to Form a Foreign LLC in Maryland?
The short answer is no.
The state of Maryland does not legally require a lawyer to form a
Maryland Foreign LLC.
Our detailed
Foreign Qualification page may help you understand some
of the implications of forming a
Maryland Foreign LLC.
However, if there is
anything about forming a Foreign LLC in Maryland
that you're not sure about you should seek the advice of a competent Maryland lawyer, a Maryland accountant,
or both
before you form a Foreign LLC in Maryland.
Once you have made the decision to form a Foreign LLC in Maryland, a Maryland lawyer
can file your documents and act as a middle man for a few hundred dollars an hour; or you can use an online service provider like All Business Documents
to perform these services and
save money that you can use in your new Maryland Foreign LLC.
Do I have to Reserve a Company Name before I Form a Foreign LLC in MD?
You are not legally required to reserve a Company Name for a new Maryland LLC Corporation before you submit your application to Form a Foreign LLC
in Maryland.
The LLC name that you have registered in your home state may or may not be available in Maryland.
In that case you need a different name your Maryland Foreign LLC.
Whether or not you need to reserve a company name for your new Maryland Foreign LLC depends entirely on your business situation.
The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation uses LLC names on a first come first served basis.
So if you think that someone may snatch the Company Name that you have in mind, you may want to reserve that Maryland Foreign LLC Name.
What if the Maryland Foreign LLC Name I want is already taken?
If the Name you have chosen for your new Maryland Foreign LLC is already in use by a currently active
Maryland Corporation or LLC then you will have to register a DBA Name with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. "DBA" is an abbreviation for "
Doing
Business
As."
We verify that the Name you have chose for your new Maryland Foreign LLC is available
before we submit
your Foreign LLC filing to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.
If necessary we can register a DBA Name in Maryland for you so that you can open your new Maryland business as quickly as possible.
What do I have to do BEFORE I Form a Foreign LLC in Maryland?
- Prove that you are registered in a state other than Maryland as a Domestic LLC
In order to register as a Foreign LLC in the state of Maryland, you must first prove that you are registered in another state as a
Domestic LLC.
You prove this with a Certificate of Good Standing, sometimes referred to as a Certificate of Existence or a Certificate of Fact, from the
state in which you are registered as a Domestic LLC.
Cost of a Good Standing Certificate for your Domestic LLC varies from state to state.
If you already have a Good Standing Certificate from your home state, please note that it must be dated no older than 30 days from the date of your application for
Maryland LLC Foreign Qualification.
If the date on your Good Standing Certificate is older than 30 days then you need to get an updated certificate.
If you get your own Good Standing Certificate you must scan and email or send a copy to us before we submit your application for a
Maryland Foreign LLC.
We can get your LLC Good Standing Certificate from any state - in most states within 2-3 hours.
- Choose a name for your Maryland Foreign LLC
You can use the same name in Maryland that you use in your home state, however, if the name of your Domestic LLC is not available you need to choose another name.
Your Maryland Foreign LLC name can identify the type of products and services your business will provide;
or it may be the name of the founder; or it can be a combination of the two or something else.
In any case, the Maryland Foreign LLC name that you choose must be distinguishable from the name of any other registered Maryland LLC or other
business entity and the name must also be different from any reserved names on record with the state of Maryland.
Your Maryland Foreign LLC name must not imply that it was formed for a purpose other than that stated in the
Articles of Organization for your Domestic LLC and your Maryland Foreign LLC name must not be a name that is likely to mislead the public.
The name of a Maryland Foreign LLC must include the word "Limited Liability Company" or
or the abbreviation "LLC" or "L.L.C.".
It's important to choose a good name for your Maryland Foreign LLC because if you want to change it after you qualify you
will have to file amended documents with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (and pay a fee).
We will check to make sure that your requested Maryland Foreign LLC name is available and conforms to all state of Maryland
Limited Liability Company naming regulations.
- File Registration Documents with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
In order to Qualify as a Foreign LLC in Maryland you must file Registration Documents with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.
In Maryland the registration documents are named "Limited Liability Company Registration".
The registration documents must include certain specific information about your Maryland business.
If the LLC Registration Documents do not conform exactly to state of Maryland Foreign LLC requirements they will be rejected.
If you need to change any of the information on your registration documents after your Maryland Foreign LLC has been approved,
you may amend the registration documents for your Maryland Foreign LLC but you will have to pay a fee to the state of Maryland in order to make the changes official.
- Determine how you want your Maryland Foreign LLC to be taxed
The Maryland Corporate Income Tax Rate is 8.25%.
You may choose that your Maryland Foreign LLC is to be taxed as a C Corporation or S Corporation.
A C Corporation is what you may think of as a traditional Corporation like General Electric or Ford.
C Corporations pay a Corporate income tax to the state if that state taxes Corporations.
You may choose to have your Maryland Foreign LLC taxed as a S Corporation.
S Corporations "pass through" all corporate profits to the shareholders (owners) who then pay tax at their applicable personal rate.
S Corporations do not pay any Maryland Corporate Income Tax.
Maryland Corporations may be able to take advantage of several Maryland state tax credits.
If you form a Single Member Maryland Foreign LLC and do not specify to the IRS how you want to be taxed your Single Member Maryland Foreign LLC
will be taxed as a Sole Proprietorship.
If you form a Multiple Member Maryland Foreign LLC and do not specify to the IRS how you want to be taxed your Multiple Member Maryland Foreign LLC
will be taxed as a Partnership.
If you choose to be taxed as an S Corporation, we can prepare the S Corporation election form for your Maryland Foreign LLC and include it with
your final Foreign LLC documents.
What do I have to do AFTER I Form a Foreign LLC in Maryland?
- Obtain Business Licenses from the cities and counties in which you plan to do business
Note that forming a Maryland Foreign LLC doesn't take the place of obtaining a local business license, tax
registration certificate, or other required business permits.
A Maryland Foreign LLC merely creates an ownership structure that limits the owners' personal liability.
You may still need to take care of getting set up to do business with your local government.
Depending on the nature of the business and the location of your Maryland Foreign LLC within Maryland you may need to get one or more local
business licenses or permits.
The business licenses or permits that are required for your Maryland Foreign LLC vary depending on your business activities
and the specific locations within the state of Maryland in which you want to conduct business.
If your Maryland Foreign LLC will be selling products in Maryland you may be required to obtain a Reseller's Permit from the appropriate
Maryland state agency.
If your Maryland Foreign LLC will be selling products in Maryland you will also be responsible for all applicable local and state of Maryland
sales taxes if there are any.
We have the expertise to find out exactly which state and local permits that you need for your specific business.
- File the required reports for your Maryland Foreign LLC
The Maryland Annual Personal Property Return includes basic information about your Maryland Foreign LLC including information on your business location as well as the names of the Officers and Directors.
Failure to submit a properly completed Maryland Annual Personal Property Return to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation on or before the
due date may subject the Maryland Foreign LLC to being administratively dissolved in the state of Maryland or having its authority to
transact business in the state of Maryland revoked by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.
Penalties may accrue if you fail to file any Maryland Foreign LLC Annual Personal Property Return to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation by the due date.
- Keep proper records of your Maryland Foreign LLC on file
Keep the following records on file and available at the principal business office of your Maryland Foreign Corporation:
- Names and addresses of all Members and Managers of the Maryland Foreign LLC
- Foreign LLC formation documents and any Amendments to them
- Maryland Foreign LLC Operating Agreement and any Amendments to them
- Copies of any LLC Resolutions which have been adopted by the Maryland Foreign LLC
- Copies of all tax returns and Annual Reports for the Maryland Foreign LLC for the last 3 years
- Pay your taxes to the state of Maryland
Foreign LLCs that either do business in the state of Maryland or that derive income from sources within the state of Maryland are subject
to Maryland and federal tax laws.
If you are engaged in intrastate business and derive income from other states besides Maryland, you must allocate the amount of income derived
from the state of Maryland in order to determine your Maryland state taxes.
What information do I need in order to Form a Foreign LLC in Maryland?
In order to Form a Foreign LLC in Maryland you'll need the following information about your new Company:
- The name of your new Maryland Foreign LLC along with your second choice of a name in case the name that you want is not available
- Physical address of the Foreign LLC office in Maryland (not a PO Box)
- A description of the nature of the business you are planning to operate with the Maryland Foreign LLC
- A good standing certificate from your home state no older that 30 days
Remember -
ALL the information that you provide when you Form a Foreign LLC in Maryland becomes part of the public record.
Our data entry forms include the
absolute minimum amount of information that is required in order to Form a new Foreign LLC in Maryland.
How long does it take to Form a Foreign LLC in Maryland?
Processing times for new Maryland Foreign LLC applications vary depending on the work load of the
Department of Assessments and Taxation's staff.
We've found that normal processing of new Maryland Foreign LLC applications takes the state around 7-8 weeks.
Add 2-3 days for the time period for shipping the final documents by mail.
Choosing our Express Mail option can shave a couple of days off the total processing time for your new Maryland Foreign LLC.
PLEASE NOTE: WE CANNOT GUARANTEE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION PROCESSING TIMES.
The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation reserves the right to extend expedite periods in time of extreme volume, staff shortage or
equipment malfunction.
We are dependent on, and have no control over, the staff and systems of the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.
In our experience 7-8 weeks is the time it
usually takes the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation to process
a new Maryland Foreign LLC application.
We get your Maryland Foreign LLC application to the MD Department of Assessments and Taxation ASAP.
Once it is at the state we have no control over the new Maryland Foreign LLC application process.
How much does it cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Maryland?
The state of Maryland charges $155.00 to Form a Foreign LLC in MD.
That includes the Department of Assessments and Taxation's filing fee and a Certified Copy of your new Maryland Foreign LLC filing. Also add the cost of a good standing certificate from your home state.
If you choose us to help you Form your Foreign LLC in Maryland our processing fees are $145.00.
This includes:
- Same day processing in of your new Maryland Foreign LLC order
- MD Name Check and Verification
- Prepare Limited Liability Company Registration
- File Formation Documents with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
- Certified Copies of Formation Documents
- Maryland Foreign LLC Checklist
- Priority Mail Delivery
- Unlimited Customer Support
If you are ready to Form a Maryland Foreign LLC, choose which Maryland
Foreign LLC options that you want below then click the Next Step button.
If you have any questions regarding our Maryland Foreign LLC services you can call us at
855-771-2477 or email us at
CorpServices@AllBizDocs.com.
Maryland Foreign LLC Cost Estimator
Our MD Foreign Qualfication Services include:
(These services are included in our processing fees)
Optional Maryland Foreign Qualification Services
(Choose options, cost is updated automatically)
-
Expedited Service - $70
explain
Normal processing time for a new Maryland Foreign LLC is 7-8 weeks.
The Maryland Secretary of State will process your application for a new Maryland LLC within seven business days for an additional $50.
This is the time by which the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation will either approve or deny the Foreign LLC application.
Maryland Foreign LLC applications must be received by the Department of Assessments and Taxation before noon Maryland time for the process to start that day.
Another way to expedite your order is to choose the Express Mail option.
The Express Mail option can cut the document delivery time in half.
- Express Mail - $35
explain
If you really need your original approved Limited Liability Company Registration in your hands quickly, the
Express Mail option can cut the delivery time in half.
The Express Mail option has no effect on the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation's processing time. For the quickest turn-around time also choose the Expedited Service option.
-
S Corporation Election - $50
explain
S Corporations are taxed differently than C Corporations.
With an S Corporation, business profits may be "passed through" directly to the shareholders.
This avoids the double tax on both corporate and shareholder profits.
S Corporations do not pay any Maryland Corporate Income Tax.
We can prepare the S Corporation Election form for you and include it with your final Foreign LLC documents pakage.
-
MD Registered Agent - $135
explain
Every Maryland Foreign LLC is required to have an address within the state of Maryland where
official and legal correspondence can be delivered.
The individual or company that is registered with the state of Maryland to receive all correspondence
on behalf of the Foreign LLC is called a Registered Agent.
You may act as your own Registered Agent, however, many Foreign LLCs hire a Registered Agent because they don't have a physical address within
Maryland or to provide a distinct level of privacy.
We can act as your Maryland Foreign LLC Registered Agent.
This is an annual service.
We will forward all correspondence to you and will remind you when it is time to renew your MD Registered Agent services.
-
MD Good Standing Certificate - $73
explain
A Maryland Good Standing Certficate is proof of the existence of your new Maryland Foreign LLC.
The Certificate is issued by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and is proof that your MD Foreign LLC is not behind on any
of its Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation Corporate obligations.
A Maryland Good Standing Certificate is often required for loans, to apply for business licenses, or for tax or other business purposes
in the state of Maryland or in any other state.
We can get your Maryland Good Standing Certificate immediately after the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation has approved your Foreign LLC filing.
-
Federal EIN - $65
explain
An FEIN is like a Social Security Number for your Maryland Foreign LLC.
We can get your FEIN on the same day that your Limited Liability Company Registration are approved by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.
You can get your FEIN before your articles are approved by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation but it's a good idea to wait until
after approval.
Your filing may be rejected or the Foreign LLC name that you want may not be approved.
Changing information on an FEIN filing is not a trivial exercise with the IRS.
-
Foreign LLC Kit and Seal - $99
explain
While you're not required to have a Foreign LLC Kit and Seal for your new Maryland Foreign LLC they do come in handy.
The MD Foreign LLC Kit consists of a beautiful customized binder, stock certificates, a stock ledger
and your custom Foreign LLC Seal.
The Foreign LLC Seal is used to emboss important company documents, such as stock certificates.
The binder also includes dividers so you can use it for all of your Maryland Foreign LLC record keeping.
-
Business License Research - $175
explain
Most new Maryland Foreign LLCs are required to get some kind of state, regional or local permits or business licenses.
The task to figure out exactly what you need can be daunting.
We can determine exactly which forms you need to fill out, fill them out for you and file the forms with the appropriate government agency
where possible.
GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE
You will need a Good Standing Certificate from your home state that is no older than 30 days.
Choose your home state from the list, the price of the certificate below will be updated automatically.