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🦀 Maryland

Reinstate Your Dissolved LLC in Maryland

Maryland's $300/year personal property return fee is among the highest in the mid-Atlantic, but the 7-day processing is fast. File online with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). No tax clearance required.

$100
Reinstatement Fee
$300/yr
Personal Property Return (highest in region)
7 days
Processing Time
None
Tax Clearance
Check My Maryland LLC → See the Steps
The Process

How Maryland LLC Reinstatement Works

Maryland LLC reinstatement is handled entirely by SDAT — the State Department of Assessments and Taxation — not just the Secretary of State. This distinction matters: SDAT oversees both the corporate charter filings and the personal property return filings. You must file all delinquent personal property returns and pay the $100 reinstatement fee to restore your LLC to good standing.

1

Look Up Your LLC Status with SDAT

Search for your entity at Maryland's SDAT Business Entity Search (egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/EntitySearch). Confirm it shows "Forfeited" status and note when it was forfeited. You'll need this to calculate what personal property returns are overdue.

Day 1 — 15 minutes
2

File All Delinquent Personal Property Returns

Maryland LLCs must file a Personal Property Return annually with SDAT (due April 15). Each missed year costs $300. File delinquent returns through SDAT's online portal. Each return requires the business's property details for that year. The $50 late penalty applies per return.

Day 1–3 — Online via SDAT
3

Submit the Reinstatement Application and Fee

File the Articles of Revival (for LLCs, this is a reinstatement form) with SDAT online or by mail. The flat reinstatement filing fee is $100. You cannot submit this until all delinquent personal property returns are processed and fees paid — SDAT verifies compliance before accepting reinstatement.

Day 3–5 — Online via SDAT Business Express
4

SDAT Processes the Reinstatement

Once SDAT receives the completed reinstatement application and confirms all personal property returns are current, processing typically takes 7 business days. The entity's status updates to "Good Standing" in the SDAT database. You'll receive a certificate of reinstatement.

~7 business days
5

Confirm Good Standing and Resume Operations

Verify your status using SDAT's Certificate of Good Standing tool. Update your registered agent if needed, and set a calendar reminder for the April 15 personal property return due date each year to stay compliant going forward.

Day 8–10
Why Reinstate

Why Businesses Reinstate Their Maryland LLC

A forfeited Maryland LLC cannot legally conduct business, enter contracts, or defend lawsuits. Reinstatement restores full legal capacity under the same entity — same EIN, same operating history.

⚖️

Regain Legal Standing

A forfeited LLC cannot sue or be sued in its own name. Reinstatement restores your ability to enforce contracts and protect your interests in Maryland courts.

🏦

Restore Banking and Credit

Maryland banks and lenders verify SDAT good standing. A forfeited entity cannot open new accounts or obtain financing until reinstated.

📜

Preserve Entity History

Avoid starting over with a new formation. Reinstatement preserves your Maryland LLC's original formation date, EIN, and existing contracts.

🤝

Satisfy Client Requirements

Many Maryland government contracts and business-to-business agreements require proof of good standing from SDAT. Reinstatement unlocks these opportunities.

⚠️

Maryland's $300/year personal property return fee accumulates fast. Two years dissolved = $700+ before you even file the $100 reinstatement. Three years dissolved = $1,000+. Maryland does not cap the back-fee liability. File sooner to limit your exposure.

FAQ

Maryland LLC Reinstatement — Common Questions

What is SDAT and why does Maryland use it instead of the Secretary of State? +
SDAT stands for the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. In Maryland, SDAT handles business entity registration, annual reporting (personal property returns), and reinstatements — functions that most other states handle through a Secretary of State office. All filings and correspondence go through SDAT, not the Maryland SOS.
What is a Personal Property Return and why does an LLC owe it? +
Maryland requires LLCs and corporations to file an annual Personal Property Return with SDAT by April 15 each year. This return reports the LLC's personal property (furniture, equipment, inventory, etc.) held in Maryland and is used to assess property taxes. Even if your LLC owns no personal property, the return must still be filed. The base filing fee is $300 for LLCs. Failure to file results in the LLC being forfeited.
Does Maryland require a tax clearance to reinstate? +
No. Maryland does not require a separate tax clearance certificate from the Comptroller of Maryland or any other tax agency as a prerequisite for LLC reinstatement. SDAT handles the reinstatement process independently. However, outstanding Maryland tax obligations do not disappear — they remain liabilities of the LLC after reinstatement.
How fast is Maryland's reinstatement processing? +
SDAT typically processes reinstatements within 7 business days for online filings. This is one of the faster processing times in the mid-Atlantic region. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee, which can reduce turnaround to 1–2 business days if needed urgently.
Can I reinstate a Maryland LLC that has been forfeited for many years? +
Yes, Maryland allows reinstatement regardless of how long the LLC has been forfeited, as long as the entity name is still available. However, you must file and pay all delinquent personal property returns for every year since forfeiture — there is no cap on back fees. If the entity has been forfeited for 5+ years, consulting with an attorney before proceeding is advisable.
What if another business took my LLC name during the forfeiture period? +
If another business registered your LLC's name in Maryland while your entity was forfeited, you cannot reinstate under that name. You would need to choose a new name or negotiate with the current registrant. This is another reason to reinstate quickly — the longer you wait, the greater the risk of name conflict.

Ready to Revive Your Maryland LLC?

Find out exactly what you owe to SDAT, which returns are missing, and how long reinstatement will take — in under two minutes.

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