How to Form an LLC in Maine

Starting a Maine LLC

A Maine Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a legal structure used to protect your personal assets (home, car, bank account) in the event your business is sued.

An LLC can be used to operate a business, or an LLC can be used to hold assets (such as real estate, vehicles, boats, or aircraft).

Forming an LLC in Maine is simple. Search your Maine LLC name in the state database and select your Maine Registered Agent.

File your Maine Certificate of Formation with the Maine Secretary of State and wait for your LLC to be approved.

You can only file your LLC by mail (there is no online filing yet). The state filing fee is $175 and the approval time is 5-10 business days (unless you pay $50 or $100 extra for expedited processing).

After your Maine LLC is approved, complete your Maine LLC Operating Agreement and get your Maine EIN Number (aka EIN) from the IRS. Next, you must check whether your LLC needs a Maine Business License or other permits to operate.

In order to keep your Maine LLC in compliance, you need to file a Maine LLC Annual Report each year (due by June 1st). The filing fee is $85. And every year your small business must file any required Maine LLC Taxes. We recommend hiring an accountant for help.

Matt Horwitz

Founder & Educator, LLC University®

Matt Horwitz has been the leading expert on LLC education for the past decade. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC that other companies weren't offering. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.
 
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.