Maine LLC formation prices $175 (Certificates of Formation, mail solely). Maine doesn’t supply on-line LLC submitting – all paperwork should be submitted by mail or in particular person. Each LLC should file an Annual Report by June 1 annually ($85, late penalty $50). Maine revenue tax is graduated from 5.80% to 7.15%. Utilizing Northwest Registered Agent prices $39 plus the $175 state charge, for $214 12 months one.
Easy methods to Kind an LLC in Maine: Full 2026 Information
Forming a Maine LLC prices $175 in state submitting charges. File the Certificates of Formation with the Maine Secretary of State. Processing: Mail solely (5-10 enterprise days); expedited obtainable. Annual compliance: Annual Report, due June 1 annually. Late penalty: $50. Charge: $85 (home LLC).
Northwest Registered Agent – Best for Maine LLCs
$39 service charge + $175 state charge = $214 whole 12 months one. Registered agent service included free for 12 months one, then $125/12 months. Privateness-focused, family-owned, in enterprise since 1998. Doesn’t promote your knowledge.
Form Your Maine LLC with Northwest →Lowest 3-year value we discovered: Northwest $289 vs Bizee $298 vs ZenBusiness $497 (service charges; state charges further). Northwest additionally places its deal with in your public filings as a substitute of yours the place the state permits.
Maine LLC at a Look
| Merchandise | Element |
|---|---|
| Formation doc | Certificates of Formation |
| Submitting company | Maine Secretary of State |
| State submitting charge | $175 |
| Processing time | Mail solely (5-10 enterprise days); expedited obtainable |
| Annual/biennial requirement | Annual Report, due June 1 annually. Late penalty: $50. |
| Annual/biennial charge | $85 (home LLC) |
| State revenue tax | Graduated: 5.80% to 7.15% (Maine particular person revenue tax, 2026) |
| Franchise tax | No franchise tax for LLCs |
| Registered agent required | Sure, bodily Maine deal with required |
| Working settlement | Not required by regulation; strongly really helpful |
| Title reservation | $20 (optionally available, 120 days) |
What You Want Earlier than Submitting in Maine
Earlier than you file with the Maine Secretary of State, collect the next:
- LLC title that features “Restricted Legal responsibility Firm,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.” and is distinguishable from current Maine entities. Examine availability at Maine Secretary of State business search.
- Registered agent with a bodily avenue deal with in Maine. P.O. containers should not accepted.
- Certificates of Formation particulars: LLC title, registered agent title and Maine deal with, administration construction (member-managed or manager-managed), organizer title and deal with.
- Fee technique: Bank card for on-line filings, verify payable to Maine Secretary of State for mail filings.
Title reservation is optionally available in Maine. It prices $20 (optionally available, 120 days) and holds your title when you put together your formation paperwork.
Step-by-Step: Forming a Maine LLC in 2026
Select and Confirm Your LLC Title
Search the Maine business entity database to substantiate your title is accessible. Your title should embody “Restricted Legal responsibility Firm,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.” and should be distinguishable from current registered entities in Maine.
Appoint a Registered Agent
Each Maine LLC should designate a registered agent with a bodily avenue deal with in Maine. The agent receives authorized paperwork and state notices throughout enterprise hours. Northwest Registered Agent costs $39 for Maine LLC formation and features a free 12 months of registered agent service (then $125/12 months).
File the Certificates of Formation
Submit your Certificates of Formation by mail or in particular person (Maine doesn’t supply on-line submitting) to the Maine Secretary of State. The state submitting charge is $175, non-refundable. Customary processing takes 5-10 enterprise days after the Secretary of State receives your paperwork..
Receive Your EIN (Federal Tax ID)
Apply for an Employer Identification Quantity for gratis at IRS.gov. The applying takes 5-Quarter-hour and the EIN is issued instantly on-line. An EIN is required for enterprise banking, hiring workers, and submitting taxes. Any formation service charging for EIN help is charging for a free authorities service.
Draft an Working Settlement
An working settlement is just not legally required in Maine however is important for any LLC with a number of members and strongly really helpful for single-member LLCs. It defines possession percentages, revenue distribution, administration authority, and dissolution procedures. With out one, Maine default guidelines apply. Northwest Registered Agent consists of an working settlement template with its formation package deal.
Meet Maine Ongoing Compliance
Each Maine LLC should file an Annual Report with the Bureau of Firms, Elections, and Commissions by June 1 annually, beneath 31 M.R.S. part 1665. The submitting charge is $85. A $50 late penalty applies after the deadline. Your first annual report is due June 1 of the 12 months following formation.
Maine LLC Prices: Full 2026 Breakdown
One-Time Formation Prices
| Price Merchandise | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Certificates of Formation (state charge) | $175 |
| Title reservation (optionally available) | $20 (optionally available, 120 days) |
| EIN (IRS.gov) | Free |
| Working settlement (Northwest template) | Free with $39 service charge |
| Registered agent 12 months 1 (Northwest) | Free (included) |
| Minimal whole with Northwest | $214 |
Annual Recurring Prices
| Price Merchandise | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Annual Report | $85 (home LLC) |
| Registered agent renewal (Northwest) | $125/12 months (after free 12 months 1) |
| State revenue tax | Graduated: 5.80% to 7.15% |
3-12 months Complete Price Comparability
| Choice | 12 months 1 | 12 months 2 | 12 months 3 | 3-12 months Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $214 | $125 (RA) + annual charges | $125 (RA) + annual charges | ~$634 |
| DIY (self as RA) | $175 | Annual charges solely | Annual charges solely | ~$345 |
| DIY + separate RA service | $175 + ~$125 RA | ~$125 RA + charges | ~$125 RA + charges | ~$720 |
Utilizing Northwest Registered Agent prices $39 above the state charge however features a free 12 months of registered agent service, an working settlement template, same-day submitting, and compliance reminders on your Maine annual report.
Maine LLC Ongoing Compliance
Each Maine LLC should file an Annual Report with the Bureau of Firms, Elections, and Commissions by June 1 annually, beneath 31 M.R.S. part 1665. The submitting charge is $85. A $50 late penalty applies after the deadline. Your first annual report is due June 1 of the 12 months following formation.
Maine is without doubt one of the few states that doesn’t supply on-line LLC submitting. All formation paperwork should be submitted by mail or in particular person. This provides a number of days to your formation timeline in comparison with states with on-line portals. Consider mail supply time when planning your small business launch.
Further compliance for Maine LLCs:
- State revenue taxes: Maine LLC pass-through revenue is topic to Graduated: 5.80% to 7.15%. Hold correct data and work with a Maine-licensed CPA.
- Federal taxes: Single-member LLCs file Schedule C; multi-member LLCs file Kind 1065 and subject Ok-1s.
- Enterprise licenses: Examine your metropolis and county for any required native licenses or permits.
- EIN: Required for any LLC with workers and for enterprise financial institution accounts.
Regularly Requested Questions: Maine LLC Formation
The state submitting charge for a Certificates of Formation is $175, paid to the Maine Secretary of State. Submitting is by mail solely in Maine – there isn’t a on-line submitting choice. Utilizing Northwest Registered Agent provides a $39 service charge, bringing the year-one whole to $214, which features a free first 12 months of registered agent service.
No. Maine is without doubt one of the few states that doesn’t settle for on-line LLC formation filings. All Certificates of Formation paperwork should be submitted by mail or delivered in particular person to the Bureau of Firms, Elections, and Commissions in Augusta. Customary processing takes 5-10 enterprise days after receipt.
Maine LLC annual stories are due by June 1 annually. The primary annual report is due June 1 of the 12 months following formation. The submitting charge is $85. A $50 late penalty applies to filings submitted after June 1.
No. Maine doesn’t impose a franchise tax on LLCs. Your major recurring state prices are the $85 annual report and Maine state revenue tax on LLC pass-through revenue (graduated from 5.80% to 7.15%).
Customary mail submitting takes 5-10 enterprise days after the Secretary of State receives your paperwork. Expedited service is accessible: $50 for 24-hour processing, $100 for same-day processing when submitted by 2 PM. Permit extra time for mail supply in each instructions.
Official Sources & References
The submitting steps, charges, and tax guidelines on this web page are checked in opposition to major authorities sources. Confirm every element straight:
Instructional content material, not individualized authorized or tax recommendation. State charges and guidelines change; affirm present necessities with the state company, the IRS, or a licensed skilled earlier than submitting.
