Maintain Good Standing Status

Required Annual Filings

All business entities formed, qualified, or registered to do business in Maryland must file an Annual Report every year. If the business can answer “Yes” to either of the following questions, they must also file a Personal Property Tax Return with their annual report:

• Does the business own, lease, or use personal property located in Maryland?
• Does the business maintain a trader’s license with a local unit of government in Maryland?

All Annual Reports and Personal Property Tax Returns must be submitted by April 15 annually, unless you request an extension here. The first Annual Report only becomes due the calendar year after your business is formed. For example, if you created your business on or after January 1, 2018, you are not required to file an Annual Report or Personal Property Tax Return until April 15, 2019.

How Can I File my Annual Report or Personal Property Tax Return?

The fastest and easiest way is through Maryland Business Express' award-winning online platform for making annual filings, registering and establishing businesses, and requesting document copies.

However, if you fall into one of the following categories, you will not be able to file your Annual Report and Personal Property Tax Return online. You will need to download and complete the appropriate Annual Report and/or Personal Property Tax Return.

• Government Entity;
• General Partnership;
• Credit Union, Financial Institution, Bank, Savings Bank, Savings & Loan, and Trust Companies;
• Co-operative (non-stock);
• Rental Property in Worcester County (unincorporated);
• Public Utility; or
• Cable Company.

Business Not in Good Standing

A business that is not in “Good Standing” is a business that is not in compliance with one or more Maryland laws that apply to businesses and their responsibilities in this state. The status can be returned to Good Standing by addressing the way the business is out of compliance.

The Department of Assessments and Taxation has compiled this easy-to-use checklist to ensure whether or not your business is in Good Standing, and if not, how to bring it back into compliance.

In many cases, viewing your business on our Business Entity Search will show you why the entity is not in Good Standing. Your entity’s status will be displayed under the “General Information” tab, and the “Personal Property” tab will show you whether you have submitted all required annual filings and if you owe a related late penalty. If action has been taken against your entity by the Maryland Office of the Comptroller; the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation; or another state agency, it will be displayed under the “Filing History” tab and you will need to contact that agency for more information.

The most common reasons that a business is not in good standing are:

• A missing Annual Report and/or Personal Property Tax Return. Eligible businesses are now able to file Annual Reports and Personal Property Tax Returns for current and previous years online using Maryland Business Express;
• A monetary penalty resulting from the late filing of an Annual Report or Personal Property Tax Return, which can be paid on the business’ online profile;
• An issue with the Maryland Office of the Comptroller;
• An issue with the Maryland Department of Labor;
• A check or other form of payment that was dishonored; or
• Not having an active resident agent. Businesses can easily submit a Resolution to change their Resident Agent online using Maryland Business Express.