Maryland lesson 4 of 6
Get an EIN and open a bank account
Maryland does not issue your federal tax number. Your EIN comes from the IRS, separately from anything SDAT does, and it is what banks and the Comptroller of Maryland will use to identify your LLC.
Applying for the EIN
Apply on the IRS site at no cost once your Articles of Organization are approved. If the responsible party has a US social security number or ITIN, the EIN is issued immediately online. Without one, the application goes in on Form SS-4 by fax or post, the usual route for non-resident owners.
Opening the account
Bring the certified Articles of Organization, the EIN confirmation letter, your operating agreement, and identification for signers and significant owners. Requirements for non-resident owners vary by bank, so call ahead if nobody on the account lives in the US.
Running personal expenses through the LLC's account undermines the very liability protection the LLC is meant to provide. Keep the accounts genuinely separate.
Register with Maryland tax agencies
Separately from the EIN, register with the Comptroller of Maryland for any applicable state taxes, including sales and use tax if you sell taxable goods or services, and with the Maryland Department of Labor if you have employees. Many of these registrations can be started through Maryland Business Express.
Key takeaways
- The EIN is free and comes from the IRS, not SDAT.
- Maryland state tax registration with the Comptroller is a separate step.
- Keep business and personal money in clearly separate accounts.
Official sources
Or let us file your Maryland LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Articles of Organization, act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team