In Maryland, the annual report is officially known as the Form 1 Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return. It’s a unique combined document that serves dual purposes, acting as both a standard annual report and a business personal property tax return. This sets Maryland apart from most other states, such as Delaware, where the annual report is filed separately from any property-tax-related return.
Filing this annual report is essential for maintaining your entity's good standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) and ensuring continued legal authorization to conduct business in the state.
Maryland requires annual report filings from virtually all business entities operating within the state, with filing requirements applying broadly across entity types to ensure comprehensive state oversight and tax assessment. The following entities are required to file:
Exemptions include:
You don’t have to file this report yourself, as Maryland gives you the option to leverage authorized filers. This can include:
Maryland offers multiple filing methods to accommodate different business needs, with online filing being the fastest and most efficient option for most entities. Here’s the online filing process:
Online filings are typically processed within several business days, and same-day processing is available only for hand-delivered filings, subject to an additional fee.
If you prefer paper filing, take the following steps:
Maryland uses a uniform deadline system that applies consistently across all entity types, simplifying compliance management for businesses operating multiple entities.
The universal deadline is April 15 each year for all business entities. If April 15 falls on a weekend, the deadline extends to the next business day. Additionally, reports can be filed as early as January 1 for the current year
Maryland's fee structure includes additional processing fees, depending on the chosen filing method, but base fees vary according to the type of business entity.
Maryland's Form 1 requires comprehensive information covering both standard annual report data and business personal property details, reflecting the state's unique combined filing approach. All entities will have to include details like:
From here, the form requires varying information depending on your type of entity. For example, corporations must provide:
LLCs must provide:
Limited Partnerships must provide:
Electronic signatures are accepted for online filings, while original wet-ink signatures are required for paper submissions.
Maryland imposes escalating penalties for non-compliance with annual reports, with consequences becoming increasingly severe over time and potentially resulting in the complete loss of business operating authority. Immediate consequences include:
If you remain uncompliant, you risk the following long-term consequences:
To reinstate your entity, you must file all delinquent annual reports for missed years and pay all accumulated penalties, interest, and reinstatement fees. You'll also need to update registered agent information if changes have occurred and submit a formal reinstatement application through SDAT.
What should I do if my business information changes after I have filed?
Contact SDAT immediately to file an amendment if significant changes occur after submission. For minor changes, note them for inclusion in next year's filing. Changes to the registered agent require separate notification procedures beyond the annual report.
Can I file my annual report early or request an extension?
Yes, Maryland allows annual reports to be filed as early as January 1 for the current year. Extensions are available online until April 15, extending your deadline to June 15 at no additional cost. However, extension requests cannot be submitted after the original deadline passes.
What happens if I need to amend my filing after I submit it?
Amendments can be filed at no additional cost if you discover errors in your original submission. For online filings, contact SDAT directly to request amendment procedures. Paper amendments require the resubmission of corrected forms accompanied by a cover letter that explains the changes.
When can I obtain a good standing certificate after filing?
Good standing certificates are available immediately after confirmation of online filing. For paper filings, certificates can be requested once your submission appears as "filed" in the SDAT system, typically within 2-4 weeks of submission.
Does Maryland offer multi-year filing options?
No, Maryland requires an annual filing by April 15 each year. There are no multi-year or biennial filing options available, unlike some other states that offer extended filing periods.
Maryland's annual report process creates unique complications with its mandatory combination of business reporting and personal property tax returns on Form 1. The detailed property valuations, anniversary-based deadlines, and complex dual-purpose filings make manual compliance tracking error-prone and time-consuming for businesses managing multiple entities.
Discern transforms Maryland's complex filing requirements into a streamlined, automated process. Our platform tracks your specific anniversary deadline with intelligent alerts and pre-fills Form 1 using your existing entity data. Ready to eliminate Maryland's annual report complexity? Schedule a demo to see how Discern automates your most challenging state filings while maintaining good standing across all jurisdictions.
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