Is it cheaper to form an LLC in Maryland or Missouri?

Missouri is cheaper at formation ($50) than Maryland ($150). Ongoing costs are also different: $100 vs $400 per year. Total over three years: $350 vs $1,350.

Can I form an LLC in Maryland if I live in Missouri?

Yes, but your Missouri business will almost certainly need to register as a foreign LLC in Missouri too, which means paying Missouri's foreign registration fee and any ongoing Missouri obligations on top of the Maryland ones. The "form elsewhere to save" math usually doesn't work for operating businesses; it only works when you have no physical operations tied to any specific state.

How long does it take to form an LLC in Maryland vs Missouri?

Maryland online: 10 business days; Missouri online: 1 business day. Maryland offers paid expedite from $325. Missouri does not offer paid expedite.

Which state has lower taxes for an LLC, Maryland or Missouri?

Maryland: state income tax applies to member-level pass-through income, no entity-level franchise or LLC tax. Missouri: state income tax applies to member-level pass-through income, no entity-level franchise or LLC tax.

Do both states require a registered agent?

Yes. Every US state (and DC) requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. Maryland and Missouri both have this requirement. You can serve as your own agent if you live in the state; most out-of-state filers use a commercial agent for $50 to $125 per year.

Do I need a written operating agreement in Maryland or Missouri?

Missouri requires LLCs to adopt a written operating agreement by statute. Maryland treats it as strongly recommended rather than required. In practice, any LLC with more than one member, or any LLC planning to preserve its liability shield, should have a written agreement regardless of which state it's formed in.

Which state should I pick if I run an online business from home?

Form in the state you actually live in. Your home state's Department of Revenue treats your residence as nexus regardless of where the LLC is filed, which means you owe state income tax there anyway. Forming in Maryland or Missouri to escape your home state's tax doesn't work; it adds paperwork. The non-resident filings make sense when you genuinely operate nowhere in particular: international founders, purely passive holding entities, or real-estate LLCs owning property in other states.

Maryland vs Missouri LLC comparison

Maryland charges $150 to form an LLC; Missouri charges $50. Day-one sticker price is only part of the story, since most of the real cost comes from the annual obligations that stack up each year you keep the LLC open.

Over a rolling three-year window, Missouri runs about $1,000 less in total state fees than Maryland. Whether that gap matters depends on whether you actually operate in one of these states or are weighing a non-resident filing.

On speed, Missouri typically clears standard online filings faster than Maryland. Both states offer expedited tiers at an additional cost for filers on tight timelines.

For most small operators the choice is not really between these two states at all. It is between forming where the business actually operates and trying to route through a non-resident filing. The data below shows what each option actually costs.

Formation filing fee

Maryland $150

Missouri $50

Missouri saves $100

Year 1 total estimate

Maryland $550

Missouri $150

Missouri saves $400

Ongoing per year

Maryland $400

Missouri $100

Missouri saves $300

3-year total

Maryland $1,350

Missouri $350

Missouri saves $1,000

Key differences at a glance

Missouri costs $100 less to form ($50 vs $150).
Missouri is $300 per year cheaper to maintain ($100 vs $400).
Missouri requires LLCs to adopt a written operating agreement by statute. The other state treats it as recommended rather than required.
Missouri has no annual report filing at all. Maryland requires an annual (or biennial) report every reporting period.

Where each state fits

For most filers, forming in the state you actually operate from is the right call. The side-by-side below shows where the two states meaningfully diverge.

What each state offers that the other does not

Only Maryland

Paid expedited tier
Operating agreement not statutorily required

Only Missouri

No annual report

Both states

Online filing
No entity-level franchise or LLC tax
No publication requirement

Three-year cost, side by side

Rough estimate of the state-facing cost to form and keep an LLC through three years. Both totals include a $100 per year registered-agent estimate.

Maryland Missouri

Year 1

$550

$150

Year 2

$950

$250

Year 3

$1,350

$350

Running total includes the one-time filing fee and annual ongoing costs (report fee or franchise tax plus a $100/year registered agent estimate).

What it costs under your specific situation

The table below runs the same LLC through four common scenarios. "Non-resident" rows assume a typical home-state foreign LLC registration adds about $200 per year of stacked cost; the real number depends on which state you live in and ranges from $50 to over $800 depending on jurisdiction.

Scenario	Year 1	Each year after	3-year total
You live in Maryland, business operates there No foreign LLC registration needed. You pay Maryland fees only.	$550	$400	$1,350
You live in Missouri, business operates there No foreign LLC registration needed. You pay Missouri fees only.	$150	$100	$350
Non-resident forming in Maryland with operations elsewhere You pay Maryland's fees plus a typical home-state foreign LLC registration of about $200 per year.	$750	$600	$1,950
Non-resident forming in Missouri with operations elsewhere You pay Missouri's fees plus a typical home-state foreign LLC registration of about $200 per year.	$350	$300	$950

Maryland vs Missouri: full comparison

Dimension	Maryland	Missouri
Online filing Can you file the formation document online?	Yes	Yes
Online approval time Standard, non-expedited	10 business days	1 business day
Expedited option Paid fast-track filing	$325	Not offered
Annual report Required in addition to tax	Required, $300	None
State-imposed annual tax Franchise, privilege, or LLC tax minimum	None	None
State income tax On pass-through LLC income at member level	Yes	Yes
Publication requirement Newspaper publication after formation	No	No
Operating agreement Required by state statute	Recommended, not required	Required by statute
Foreign LLC fee Cost to register as a foreign LLC in this state	$150	$105
State sales tax General statewide rate	6.0%	4.2%

Taxes in Maryland and Missouri

How each state handles entity-level tax on LLCs. Pass-through classification means member-level income tax also applies at each member's residence state.

Maryland tax

No entity-level franchise tax on LLCs. State income tax applies to member-level pass-through income. Corporate rate 8.3%.

Missouri tax

No entity-level franchise tax on LLCs. State income tax applies to member-level pass-through income. Corporate rate 4.0%.

Ongoing compliance

The recurring filings each state requires after formation.

Maryland

Annual report $300, due 04/15 each year. Registered agent required in Maryland.

Missouri

No annual state filing. Registered agent required in Missouri.

Formation process, side by side

What actually happens from the moment you start filing to the moment you're in good standing. Use this as a checklist.

Maryland

Check business-name availability on the Maryland entity search.
Appoint a registered agent with a physical Maryland street address.
File Articles of Organization for a Limited Liability Company for $150.
Wait for approval. Online typically 10 business days. Paid expedite from $325.
Adopt an operating agreement (recommended, not required by Maryland statute).
Apply for a federal EIN (free from the IRS).
Open a business bank account to separate personal and business finances.
File your first annual report and pay $300 when it comes due.

Missouri

Check business-name availability on the Missouri entity search.
Appoint a registered agent with a physical Missouri street address.
File Articles of Organization of a Limited Liability Company (LLC 1) for $50.
Wait for approval. Online typically 1 business days. No paid expedite offered.
Adopt a written operating agreement (statutorily required in Missouri).
Apply for a federal EIN (free from the IRS).
Open a business bank account to separate personal and business finances.
No annual state filing required in Missouri.

Before you pick either state

A few things that apply no matter which state you choose. These trip up enough first-time filers that they're worth stating explicitly.

Registered agent is non-negotiable. Both Maryland and Missouri (and every other US state) require every LLC to designate a registered agent with a physical street address in the state of formation. You can serve as your own agent if you live in the state; otherwise a commercial agent runs $50 to $125 per year. Using your own home address makes it part of the public record.

Forming elsewhere does not escape your home state's tax. If you live and operate a business from your home state, forming the LLC in Maryland or Missouri does not avoid your home state's income tax. The moment you transact business at home, your home state requires a foreign LLC registration, and state tax liability follows your residence regardless of where the entity sits on paper.

EIN applications are free. The IRS issues Employer Identification Numbers directly at no cost. Any service charging you to "get your EIN" is reselling a free form submission. Single-member LLCs with no employees technically don't need one for federal tax, but nearly every bank requires an EIN to open a business account.

Operating agreement matters more than the state you pick. A well-drafted operating agreement governs member ownership, management, profit splits, buy-sell terms, and dissolution. Without one, your LLC runs on the state's default rules, which are rarely what you want. California, Maine, Missouri, and New York require a written one by statute; every other state treats it as strongly recommended.

Agency contacts

Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, Charter Division

Website: dat.maryland.gov
Phone: (410) 767-1184
Email: sdat.serviceofprocess@maryland.gov
Mail: Charter Division, Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, 8th Floor, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201-2395
Office: 301 W. Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern, Monday to Friday

Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division

Website: www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations
Phone: (573) 751-4153
Email: corporations@sos.mo.gov
Mail: Corporations Division, Missouri Secretary of State, P.O. Box 778, Jefferson City, MO 65102
Office: Corporations Division, 600 W. Main Street, Missouri State Information Center, Room 322, Jefferson City, MO 65101
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central, Monday to Friday

Comptroller of Maryland

Website: www.marylandtaxes.gov
Phone: (410) 260-7980
Email: taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov
Mail: Comptroller of Maryland, Revenue Administration Division, 110 Carroll Street, Annapolis, MD 21411-0001
Office: Goldstein Treasury Building, 80 Calvert Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern, Monday to Friday

Missouri Department of Revenue

Website: dor.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-3505
Mail: Missouri Department of Revenue, Harry S Truman State Office Building, 301 West High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101
Office: Harry S Truman State Office Building, 301 West High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central, Monday to Friday

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to form an LLC in Maryland or Missouri?

Missouri is cheaper at formation ($50) than Maryland ($150). Ongoing costs are also different: $100 vs $400 per year. Total over three years: $350 vs $1,350.
Can I form an LLC in Maryland if I live in Missouri?

Yes, but your Missouri business will almost certainly need to register as a foreign LLC in Missouri too, which means paying Missouri's foreign registration fee and any ongoing Missouri obligations on top of the Maryland ones. The "form elsewhere to save" math usually doesn't work for operating businesses; it only works when you have no physical operations tied to any specific state.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Maryland vs Missouri?

Maryland online: 10 business days; Missouri online: 1 business day. Maryland offers paid expedite from $325. Missouri does not offer paid expedite.
Which state has lower taxes for an LLC, Maryland or Missouri?

Maryland: state income tax applies to member-level pass-through income, no entity-level franchise or LLC tax. Missouri: state income tax applies to member-level pass-through income, no entity-level franchise or LLC tax.
Do both states require a registered agent?

Yes. Every US state (and DC) requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. Maryland and Missouri both have this requirement. You can serve as your own agent if you live in the state; most out-of-state filers use a commercial agent for $50 to $125 per year.
Do I need a written operating agreement in Maryland or Missouri?

Missouri requires LLCs to adopt a written operating agreement by statute. Maryland treats it as strongly recommended rather than required. In practice, any LLC with more than one member, or any LLC planning to preserve its liability shield, should have a written agreement regardless of which state it's formed in.
Which state should I pick if I run an online business from home?

Form in the state you actually live in. Your home state's Department of Revenue treats your residence as nexus regardless of where the LLC is filed, which means you owe state income tax there anyway. Forming in Maryland or Missouri to escape your home state's tax doesn't work; it adds paperwork. The non-resident filings make sense when you genuinely operate nowhere in particular: international founders, purely passive holding entities, or real-estate LLCs owning property in other states.

Full state guides

MarylandOpen Maryland LLC guide →
MissouriOpen Missouri LLC guide →

More Maryland and Missouri comparisons

More Maryland vs ...

More Missouri vs ...

Sources

Filing fee: dat.maryland.gov/businesses/Documents/FEES.pdf · verified April 21, 2026
SDAT Fee Schedule for Documents Relating to Corporate Charters (revised May 2024). Articles of Organization (domestic LLC) base fee is $100 with a $50 expedited service fee. All online filings through Maryland Business Express are automatically expedited, making the effective online day-one cost $150 (100 base plus 50 expedite). Mail filings may pay the $100 base with 4 to 6 week review, or add the $50 expedite fee for 7 to 10 business day review.
Expedited filing: egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/home/ProcessingTimes · verified April 21, 2026
Rush service via online Maryland Business Express: $325 same-day fee when submitted before 2:30 PM (reviewed within approximately 3 hours). Rush service via paper dropbox at 123 Market Place, Baltimore: $425 same-day fee (submit by 10 AM, pickup by 3:45 PM). Fee amounts per SDAT fee schedule revised May 2024. We report the online rush at $325 and approximately 3 hour turnaround as the default expedited tier.
Annual report fee: dat.maryland.gov/SDAT%20Forms/PPR_Forms/2025_Form1.pdf · verified April 21, 2026
Form 1 Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return, Maryland SDAT. Filing fee for a Domestic or Foreign Limited Liability Company is $300 per entity, due April 15 each year. The same Form 1 captures both the Annual Report (Sections I through III all LLCs must complete) and the Business Personal Property Return (Sections IV through VIII, required only if the LLC owns, leases, or uses personal property in Maryland with total original cost of $20,000 or more).
Corporate income tax rate: www.marylandtaxes.gov/business/income/tax-information.php · verified April 21, 2026
Maryland corporate income tax is a flat 8.25% of Maryland modified income. Applies to C-corporations and to LLCs electing C-corp treatment. LLCs default to pass-through taxation.
Sales tax rate: www.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes/business/sales-and-use/ · verified April 21, 2026
Maryland statewide sales and use tax is 6% with no local add-on (special 9% rate applies to alcoholic beverages). Short-term vehicle rentals and a handful of services have different rates.
Foreign LLC registration fee: dat.maryland.gov/businesses/Documents/FEES.pdf · verified April 21, 2026
SDAT Fee Schedule: Foreign LLC Registration base fee $100 plus $50 expedited. Online filings through Maryland Business Express are automatically expedited at $150 total. Same foreign LLC must also file Form 1 Annual Report and pay the $300 annual fee.
Business name search: egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/EntitySearch · verified April 21, 2026
Maryland Business Express Entity Search. Confirm LLC name availability before filing Articles of Organization.
Operating agreement requirement: mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gca&section=4A… · verified April 21, 2026
Md. Code Corp. and Assns. 4A-402 permits (but does not require) members to enter into an operating agreement. Unless the articles of organization specifically require otherwise, the operating agreement need not be in writing. Maryland does not mandate a written LLC operating agreement.
Filing fee: www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Business/fees.pdf?v=2025 · verified April 21, 2026
Missouri SOS Schedule of Fees and Charges (revised 01/2025), Chapter 347 Limited Liability Companies: Certificates of Limited Liability Company (domestic online) $50.00; Certificates of Limited Liability Company (domestic or foreign, paper) $105.00. Includes $5 Technology fund component. Mo. Rev. Stat. 347.179(1) sets the base fees as $45 online / $100 paper; the $5 tech surcharge brings totals to $50/$105.
Expedited filing: www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/forms · verified April 21, 2026
Missouri SOS Corporations Division does not publish an expedited service tier for LLC filings. Online filings through bsd.sos.mo.gov are typically processed immediately or within one business day at the standard $50 fee, so there is no separate expedite option. A $55 Pre-Clearance Examination is available for reviewing a document for form and legal adequacy before submission (Schedule of Fees and Charges, General Fees) but does not accelerate filing itself.
Operating agreement requirement: revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=347.081 · verified April 21, 2026
Mo. Rev. Stat. 347.081(1) provides that the member or members of an LLC 'shall adopt' an operating agreement. The statute uses mandatory language (shall adopt) and describes permissible contents, making Missouri one of the handful of states (with California, Delaware, Maine, and New York) that statutorily require an operating agreement. The agreement does not need to be filed with the SOS and may be in any form, but it must exist.
Foreign LLC registration fee: www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Business/fees.pdf?v=2025 · verified April 21, 2026
Missouri SOS Schedule of Fees and Charges (01/2025): Certificates of Limited Liability Company (domestic or foreign)(paper) $105. Foreign LLCs must file the Application for Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC 4) by paper; Missouri does not publish an online filing path specifically for foreign LLC registration.
Business name search: bsd.sos.mo.gov/BusinessEntity/BESearch.aspx?SearchType=0 · verified April 21, 2026
Missouri SOS Business Entity Search. Confirm name distinguishability before filing the LLC 1.
Corporate income tax rate: dor.mo.gov/taxation/business/tax-types/corporation-income/ · verified April 21, 2026
Missouri Department of Revenue Corporation Income Tax page: the corporate income tax rate is a flat 4% for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2020 (Chapter 143 RSMo). Applies to LLCs electing C-corp treatment.
Sales tax rate: dor.mo.gov/taxation/business/tax-types/sales-use/ · verified April 21, 2026
Missouri Department of Revenue Sales/Use Tax page: state sales and use tax rate is 4.225% (3.0% General Revenue, 1.0% Education, 0.125% Conservation, 0.10% Parks/Soils). Local jurisdictions add their own sales tax on top; combined rates typically range from 5% to over 10%.

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