How Much Does an LLC Cost in Maine

It costs at least $175 to form an LLC in Maine. But these additional expenses could increase the total to over $3,000.

Millions of visitors flock to Maine yearly, drawn by its scenic beauty and outdoor activities.

This means you have an opportunity to attract potential customers for your dream LLC.

The question is: how much does it cost to form an LLC in Maine? Plan your budget with this in-depth guide.

You can also use the calculator below to get a clear picture of your minimum startup expenses.

Certificate of Formation

One-Time Fee: $175^[1]

To form an LLC in Maine, you must file the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State. Once the documents are approved, your LLC will be recognized as a separate legal entity.

A Maine LLC's Articles of Organization contains the following information, among other details:^[2]

• Limited liability company name
  
• Registered agent name and address
  
• Designation of a low-profit LLC or professional LLC

You can file the Certificate of Formation by mail or in person. Processing times vary based on the volume of documents the State reviews. If you want yours processed quickly, consider paying for expedited services.

Statement of Foreign Qualification

One-Time Fee: $250^[1]

If you already have an LLC in another state and want to expand your business to Maine, register it as a foreign LLC.

To create a foreign LLC in Maine, file a Statement of Foreign Qualification with the Secretary of State. Don't forget to attach a Certificate of Existence from your domestic state.

Annual Report

Annual Fee: $85 (domestic) | $150 (foreign)^[1]

All LLCs in Maine must file an annual report with the Secretary of State. These reports let the government, banks, and anyone who can access public records know that your business is still active.

In Maine, annual reports are due by June 1st each year.^[3] The filing fees vary for domestic and foreign LLCs.

Business Permits and Licenses

Cost: Typically at least $45^[4]

Maine doesn't have a state-level general business license. Instead, the state prefers to leave business licensing requirements to local jurisdictions and specific industries.

In Portland, all business licenses require a $45 application fee^[4]. This is a separate fee for the actual cost of the licenses you need.

The number of permits and licenses your LLC needs depends on its business purpose. Some businesses may be regulated by various governmental offices simultaneously and could renew yearly.

Business Taxes

State Income Tax: 5.8% to 7.15% of taxable income^[5]

LLCs are generally considered "pass-through" entities for tax purposes. This means the LLC's profits and losses pass through to the owners and are reported on individual tax returns.

Maine's current income tax rate is up to 7.15% of taxable income.^[5] However, because the state has no fixed tax, tax rates may vary yearly.

On top of that, you must also pay federal income taxes.

2025 Federal Income Tax Rates:^[6]

Don't forget the 15.3% federal self-employment tax.^[7]

Optional Fees

While the fees below are generally optional, some are unavoidable depending on your business needs.

For example, obtaining a Certificate of Existence is often necessary when opening an LLC bank account.

Expedited Services

Cost: $50 to $100^[8]

The processing times for the Certificate of Formation vary depending on the volume of documents reviewed by the State. On busy months, processing could take as long as 15 to 20 business days.

If you need your documents processed quickly, pay for expedited services:^[8]

• $50: Within 24 hours
  
• $100: Immediate

Registered Agent Services

Annual Cost: $0, or $100-$300/yr

In Maine, you must have a registered agent to receive business and legal documents for your LLC. This includes government notices, tax forms, and annual reporting forms.

You can technically be your LLC's registered agent—as long as you're at least 18 and have a physical street address in Maine. You must also be available to receive documents during business hours.

However, your address will be public record. So many LLCs like to hire a registered agent service to keep their personal details private. These services usually charge $100-$300 per year to be your registered agent.

Statement of Change

Filing Fee: $35^[1]

You can change your registered agent's details by filing a form with the Secretary of State. Changes include the registered agent's name and address.

Some registered agents will shoulder this bill if you switch to their services.

Operating Agreement

Cost: $0, or up to $500+

Maine is unique because it requires an LLC to have an operating agreement, referred to as a "limited liability company agreement," before, after, or during the filing of a certificate of formation.^[9] In most other states, this agreement is optional but recommended.

An LLC operating agreement contains the following:

• The roles and responsibilities of each member
  
• How new or departing members will be treated
  
• How business profits and losses will be divided

Ideally, you should already have a signed Operating Agreement before forming an LLC in Maine. But if your LLC is already formed, you can always draft it yourself after.

Alternatively, an LLC attorney might charge you a $500 flat fee for a standard operating agreement. If you have more complex details, the cost could be higher.

Employer Identification Number

Cost: $0, or $50 to $99

Any LLC with more than one member or with employees must have an EIN, regardless of how it's taxed. This is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify a business entity for tax-related purposes.

You can just apply for an EIN for free on the IRS website. But if you'd like an LLC service to process it for you, you can do so for a small fee. Here are some providers that do this and their pricing:

• Northwest Registered Agent: $50
  
• Bizee: $70
  
• ZenBusiness: $99

Single-member LLCs in Maine don't require an EIN, but it's almost essential in practice. For instance, you'll need one if you hire employees or want to open a business bank account.

Name Reservation

Cost: $20^[1]

If you already have a business name but aren't ready to form an LLC, you can reserve your desired name first. This will prevent others from using that name for 120 days.^[10]

Remember to review Maine's naming regulations. For example, an LLC name must include LLC, Ltd., or similar.

Trade Name

Filing Fee: $40 to $125^[1]

A trade name (also known as "Doing Business As" or DBA) allows your LLC to operate under a name different from its legal name registered with the state. Some LLCs use a DBA for branding purposes, like using a name without "LLC" at the end.

Trade name applications in Maine typically cost $125 for domestic and foreign LLCs. However, foreign LLCs only need to pay $40 if your original LLC name isn't available in the state.^[1]

Statement of Correction

Cost: $50^[1]

After your Maine LLC application is approved, review all the details of the Certificate of Formation carefully.

If there are errors, like a misspelled business name or incorrect address, correct them as soon as possible by filing the Statement of Correction.

Certificate of Amendment

Cost: $50^[1]

Your Maine LLC's Certificate of Formation contains specific details about your business. Should these details change, you must file an amendment to the Secretary of State.

File an amendment if you:

• Change the LLC name
  
• Move to a new location
  
• Appoint a new registered agent

You must also file a statement of change with the $35 filing fee if you update your registered agent's details.

Certificate of Existence

Cost: $30^[8]

A Certificate of Existence is an official document by the Secretary of State. It verifies that your LLC is updated with all state filings and has paid all its fees and taxes.

You might need a Certificate of Existence to:

• Open a bank account
  
• Apply for business loans
  
• Qualify for business insurance
  
• Conduct business as a foreign LLC

Certificate of Fact

Cost: $30^[8]

A Certificate of Fact provides comprehensive information about your LLC's history and filings. It could contain details like amendments, mergers, or other filings with the state.

You might need this for legal proceedings, due diligence, or situations requiring detailed historical information about your LLC.

Certified Copies

Cost: $5^[8]

Certified copies of documents verify that your LLC is legitimate and that its details are accurate.

You might need these for circumstances like opening a business bank account or expanding your LLC in another state.

Additionally, some LLCs keep certified copies of their initial Certificate of Formation and amendments (if any) for recordkeeping purposes.

Business Website Domain

Annual Fee: $10 to $20

A website domain and social media presence provide dedicated online spaces for your business. It's essential for marketing, customer engagement, and brand visibility in today's digital world.

Even if you aren't planning to build a business website now, you could still buy the domain name. This will prevent others from using your LLC's name as a web address.

Business Insurance Premiums

Cost: Varies

In Maine, most employers must cover their employees with workers' compensation insurance.

You can self-insure, shop from a private insurance carrier, or join the state fund.

Additionally, consider protecting your LLC's assets with other types of insurance:

• General liability insurance
  
• Commercial property insurance
  
• Professional liability insurance
  
• Cyber liability insurance

The cost depends on factors like the number of employees, the risk level of your industry, and your past insurance claims.

Curious to know how much it costs to maintain an LLC in Maine? Use the calculator below to get a clear picture of your ongoing expenses.

Bottom Line

You need at least $175 to form an LLC in Maine. Additional costs may include business permits and licenses, name reservation, and trade name registration.

That said, the total cost of forming an LLC in Maine will increase depending on the additional services, documents, and licenses you need. Ultimately, it's never a bad idea to set aside an extra budget for unexpected fees.

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