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The objective of the annual report is three-fold. The annual report keeps the Government informed about all the updates, communicates about all the modifications or changes, & keeps the LLC members informed about the necessary taxes and costs. This article has all the information about Maryland LLC annual report filing in Maryland.
An annual report can be called an address book, as it features all the relevant addresses of the company & the members. This yearly report is a record of all the company’s activities in an entire year. It is also referred to as the Annual Franchise Tax Report because it helps in filing the franchise tax.
Contents of the Annual Report
Typically the annual report filed by an LLC in Maryland (or any other business entity for that matter) will include all the information related to its business & members. The standard contents of the annual report or the annual franchise tax report are
- Office Address of the LLC
- Names & Addresses of the Members & managers.
- Identification Documents
- Social Security numbers of the key members of LLC
- The objective of the business of LLC
- List of all the signatories of the LLC
- Information of the registered agent, if any
Maryland LLC Annual Report
An Annual report is essential for all business types. It authenticates that the information provided to the Secretary Of the State is accurate & updated. The information provided in the annual report helps the State officials to ensure that all the companies pay taxes. The Maryland Annual Report is filed with the Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation.
Does the State of Maryland Mandate an Annual Report Filing?
All the business entities in Maryland are bound to file the annual report with the Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation. This includes all the legal entities such as C Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, bound to file the Annual Report.
Annual Report Deadline
As mentioned above, filing the Annual report is a mandatory requirement even for an LLC. An LLC operating in Maryland has to file the Annual report with the Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation on April 15th every year.
Penalties for Non-filing or late filing
If a business entity possesses property in Maryland, only then there is a late fee which is some percentage of the business’s county assessment plus interest. There is no late fee for businesses without their own properties.
Why Do LLCs Have to File the Annual Report?
Some of the states are not required to file this yearly report, commonly known as the Annual Report. However, there are some reasons why states should file an LLC Annual Report. Here are some reasons,
To Maintain the Accuracy of the Information
An annual report filed by the LLC has all the updated information about its official addresses & the names or addresses of all its officials. This updated information allows the State authorities to track down any LLC when communicating.
To Provide the Correct Correspondence
Many times, any creditor or other entity willing to transact with the LLC requires the correct correspondence address. If this information (which can only be modified with the help of an annual report) is not updated every year, such entities will not be able to communicate with them.
To Notify the Government About All the Significant Changes
If you have changed your main business address or had new business appointments of managers or members, the annual public information report notifies the State Government Entities about it. So, the next time someone questions a newer reform that you have introduced in your LLC, you will be saved because you had submitted the information with the Government.
To Provide an Activity Log of an LLC
The Annual Report is like an activity log of the LLC. It brings on record; all the transactions, new associations, appointments, etc. & keeps those records intact for all future references.
To Help You With the One-time Filing of Taxes
The annual report is an excellent means to keep you on your toes in case of your dues payment. Every LLC must pay the taxes through the annual report filing. By filing the report on time, the LLC can manage the exemptions & can avoid penalties imposed by the Government.
To Enable the State to Track the Payments
The government authorities use all the information filed through the annual report, for tracking the payment of State Taxes.
How to File a Maryland LLC Annual Report
The Maryland LLC Annual Report can be filed online, or it can be filed by mail. An LLC operating in Maryland has to file the Annual report with the Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation on April 15th every year.
Steps to File Maryland LLC Annual Report Online
Time needed: 5 minutes
Below is the procedure to file the Maryland LLC Annual Report online.
- Visit Maryland’s Department of Assessments & Taxation Website.
The first step in filing the Maryland Annual Report is to visit Maryland’s Business Express Website.
- Sign in.
Sign in to the site, if you have an existing account, or you can sign up by creating a new account.
- Select “New Filing”
After logging in, click on the “select a new filing” tab.
- File Annual Report.
Scroll down & choose “Final Annual Report/Personal Property Tax Return”. Fill in the required details & submit the report.
Filing Maryland LLC Annual Report By Mail
To file the Annual Report in Maryland by mail, follow the below steps,
- Visit Maryland Departmental Forms & Applications Page
- On the left panel, select “Business Personal Property” segment
- Click on the 2021 Form 1 – Annual Report & Personal Property Tax Return
- Download the form on your computer
- Fill in the required information & send the printed copies of the forms and relevant documents to the address: Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation, Annual Report, P.O. Box 17052, Baltimore, MD 21297-1052
Maryland LLC Annual Report (Domestic & Foreign)
| State Office: | Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation, Annual Report, P.O. Box 17052, Baltimore, MD 21297-1052 Links to Website, Form |
| Due Date: | Annual reports are filed every year on April 15th. |
| Filing Fee: | The filing fee of the Maryland LLC’s Annual Report is $300. |
| Penalty: | If a business entity possesses property in Maryland, only then there is a late fee which is some percentage of the business’s county assessment plus interest. There is no late fee for businesses without their own properties. |
| Filing Method: | An LLC can file the Annual Report Online or by mail. |
| Forms: | Forms |
| Important Information: | Once a Domestic or Foreign Maryland Limited Liability Company submits the Annual Report along with the prescribed fees to the Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation, the filing is said to be complete. |
Seek the Help of a Registered Agent
Every State will have a different rule for filing the Annual Report. Usually, it is submitted every year, but it is submitted once in two years in some states. Some states require the filing of the report only once in ten years.
Not only the timing, the mode of filing, the proper addresses, exemptions, legality, annual report compliance, etc., have to be taken care of while paying the taxes or filing any reports with the State authorities. In many such scenarios, it is advised that an LLC appoints a Registered Agent to manage all this. Check out the best LLC service that offers all the services at an affordable price. An experienced agent is required for:
- Streamlining the mandatory processes & filing.
- Sending or receiving any documents.
- Reminding you about important dates of filing or payment of taxes.
- Simplifying the filing procedures.
- Avoid any penalties.
- Flexibility in working.
- Maintaining Privacy (as it keeps your personal records off the public record)
You can read more about a Maryland Registered Agent here.
FAQs
Yes, an annual report is essential for every business entity in most states. Some states also ask to file biennial or decennial reports to be filed.
A Yearly Business Report or the annual report typically incorporates the address of the business, names & addresses of the members, a list of all the signatories, SSN of the members, & details of the registered agent.
A Registered Agent is well-aware of all the filing requirements, annual report filing fee, & overall Annual Report compliance. The knowledge & proficiency of the registered agent allows the smooth filing of reports & other fees.
The most important thing for filing an Annual Report is record keeping. Make sure that you document every other transaction well.
Yes, the fees may vary depending on the type of entity or the type of legal entity you are representing.
How Fast Can I Fill Maryland LLC Annual Report
Deadline for filing annual reports in Maryland is April 15 each year by paying a filing fee of $300. You can file it by mail, online or in-person.
One common question that many LLC owners have is how quickly they can file their annual report with the state. The answer to this question ultimately depends on how quickly the LLC owner can gather and organize the necessary information to complete the report. However, with the advancements in technology and resources available online, the process of filing the annual report can be relatively quick and easy.
One key factor in filing the Maryland LLC Annual Report quickly is to stay organized throughout the year. Keeping track of important information such as changes in membership, addresses, and other key details will make it much easier to complete the report when the time comes. By having all necessary information readily available, the process of filing the annual report can be expedited.
Another important factor in the speed of filing the annual report is utilizing online resources provided by the state of Maryland. The state offers an online portal for LLC owners to file their reports electronically, which can significantly speed up the process. By using the online portal, LLC owners can save time and avoid the hassle of mailing in their reports.
Additionally, hiring a professional service to assist with filing the annual report can also speed up the process. Many companies specialize in helping LLC owners with filing their annual reports and can provide valuable assistance in ensuring that the report is completed accurately and on time. These services can be particularly useful for busy LLC owners who may not have the time to devote to completing the report themselves.
Overall, filing the Maryland LLC Annual Report quickly is possible with the proper organization, use of online resources, and potentially hiring professional assistance. By staying organized, utilizing online tools, and seeking assistance when needed, LLC owners can ensure that their annual reports are filed in a timely manner, maintaining good standing with the state and avoiding any penalties or fines. Remember, the key to a successful filing is preparation and timely action.
In Conclusion
An LLC has to file many types of reports, such as Application for Reinstatement, Periodic Report of a limited partnership (usually filed by the exempt nonprofit organization), etc., which are required depending on the type of entity. The Annual Report is mandatory irrespective of the entity type. It requires compliance across entities.