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Plan for Baltimore, MD

Starting a Business in Baltimore: Licenses, Registrations & Checklist

A step-by-step plan to open a business in Baltimore: what to file first, what depends on what, and which permits come before opening day. Change the business details to fit yours.

Your businessThe plan below updates as you change these.
Details

Permits and registrations specific to Baltimore, MD

Sales tax permitMaryland sales and use tax license
City of BaltimoreHas its own business licenses, taxes or permits (listed below).
Baltimore City CountyNo official page confirmed either way yet.
Local licenses and permits to obtain
  • Obtain and renew Maryland trader's license from the Baltimore City Clerk of the Circuit Court · Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (city)
Register with these Maryland agencies

Startup sequence and prerequisites in Baltimore

Based on your selections, this plan has 28 steps. What you file first decides what you can do next: later registrations and licenses wait on the ones below.

Do these first

  1. Maintain a registered agent in Maryland
  2. File formation documents with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
  3. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Then, once those are done

  • Register for unemployment insurance (Maryland) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Register for state income tax withholding (Maryland) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Maryland sales and use tax license (Maryland) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Register for and file Maryland entity-level taxes — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • County trader's license — Baltimore, Baltimore City County, Maryland — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Obtain food service establishment / health permit — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Ensure certified food protection manager on staff — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Baltimore — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Obtain and renew Maryland trader's license from the Baltimore City Clerk of the Circuit Court — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Report new hires to the Maryland new hire directory — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Carry workers' compensation insurance (Maryland) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Display required federal labor law posters — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Complete Form I-9 for each new hire — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Display required Maryland workplace notices — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Provide paid sick leave (Maryland) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Start planObligations (27)
Government fees

Known charges: $300.00 per year.

Total incomplete: some fees unknown

26 of 28 steps have no fee amount in our data. The figures above count only the 2 steps with a recorded fee. Check each agency's fee schedule. Fees that depend on your situation: File wage reports and pay unemployment insurance contributions (Maryland).

File formationOct 25, 2026in 7 days
Ready to operateJan 1, 2027in 75 days
Opening dateNot setAdd a target opening date to check the plan fits
Progress0 / 28Saved in this browser

Things the formation documents depend on: a registered agent and any professional approvals.

Suggested planning date: Oct 25, 2026
Ongoing
not individually checked

File the formation documents with the state.

Suggested planning date: Nov 8, 2026
One-time
not individually checked
After: Maintain a registered agent in Maryland

Obtain the EIN (and apply for tax-exempt status, for nonprofits). Most registrations need it.

Suggested planning date: Nov 11, 2026
One-time
not individually checked
After: File formation documents with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation

State tax accounts, trade name, foreign qualification and publication requirements.

Suggested planning date: Nov 25, 2026
One-time
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Nov 25, 2026
One-time
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Nov 25, 2026
One-time
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Nov 25, 2026
Annual
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Licenses and permits you need before you operate: state, industry, local and professional.

Suggested planning date: Dec 25, 2026
Annual
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Dec 25, 2026
Annual
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Dec 25, 2026
Ongoing
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Dec 25, 2026
One-time
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Statutory deadline: Dec 25, 2026 · in 68 days
Annual
not individually checked
Applies because: Business is located in Baltimore, MD. Schedule: May 31.After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Insurance, employment paperwork, new-hire reporting and workplace notices.

Suggested planning date: Jan 1, 2027
Per event
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Jan 1, 2027
Ongoing
checked Oct 13, 2026
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Jan 1, 2027
Ongoing
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Jan 1, 2027
Per event
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Jan 1, 2027
Ongoing
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Jan 1, 2027
Ongoing
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Recurring filings and payments, in the order they fall due.

Statutory deadline: Oct 31, 2026 · in 13 days
Quarterly
not individually checked
Applies because: Business has employees. Schedule: April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31.
Statutory deadline: Oct 31, 2026 · in 13 days
Annual
checked Oct 16, 2026
Applies because: Business operates in MD. Schedule: October 31.
Statutory deadline: Jan 31, 2027 · in 105 days
Annual
not individually checked
Applies because: Business has employees. Schedule: January 31.
Statutory deadline: Jan 31, 2027 · in 105 days
Annual
not individually checked
Applies because: Business has employees. Schedule: January 31.
Statutory deadline: Apr 15, 2027 · in 179 days
Annual
not individually checked
Applies because: Federal tax treatment is sole_prop. Schedule: April 15.
Statutory deadline: Apr 15, 2027 · in 179 days
fee $300.00
Annual
checked Oct 13, 2026
Applies because: llc formed in MD. Schedule: April 15.
Monthly
not individually checked
Ongoing
checked Oct 16, 2026
Quarterly
checked Oct 13, 2026
Monthly
not individually checked
Suggested planning dates are allowances, not agency processing times. Statutory deadlines come from the rules and are labeled as such.

Common questions about Baltimore

The state licenses your industry through its own regulator, and the city and county add local permits. These are the authorities and local items on record for Baltimore:

  • Contractor licensing: Maryland Home Improvement Commission
  • Real estate licensing: Maryland Real Estate Commission
  • Alcohol licensing: Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco and Cannabis Commission (with local boards)
  • Child care licensing: Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care
  • Health facility licensing: Maryland Department of Health
  • Obtain and renew Maryland trader's license from the Baltimore City Clerk of the Circuit Court (Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, city)

With your current selections, the licenses and permits are: Maryland sales and use tax license (Maryland); Obtain food service establishment / health permit; Ensure certified food protection manager on staff; County trader's license — Baltimore, Baltimore City County, Maryland; Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Baltimore; Obtain and renew Maryland trader's license from the Baltimore City Clerk of the Circuit Court. Change the industry above to see yours.

Sources: dat.maryland.gov, marylandtaxes.gov, labor.maryland.gov

In your plan for Baltimore, requirements come from four levels. Maryland sets formation, state taxes and employer rules; the city and county add local licenses and taxes.

  • Federal (8): Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN); File federal income tax return: Form 1040 with Schedule C; Deposit federal payroll taxes; File Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return)…
  • State (15): Maintain a registered agent in Maryland; File Annual Report and Personal Property Return (Maryland); Register for and file Maryland entity-level taxes; Maryland sales and use tax license (Maryland)…
  • County (1): Obtain food service establishment / health permit
  • City (3): County trader's license — Baltimore, Baltimore City County, Maryland; Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Baltimore; Obtain and renew Maryland trader's license from the Baltimore City Clerk of the Circuit Court

Sources: dat.maryland.gov, marylandtaxes.gov

  • Register for unemployment insurance with Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Unemployment Insurance.
  • Workers' compensation: Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission. Required when: 1 employee
  • Register to withhold Maryland income tax from wages.
  • Your plan adds these employer steps: Report new hires to the Maryland new hire directory; Carry workers' compensation insurance (Maryland); Display required federal labor law posters; Complete Form I-9 for each new hire; Display required Maryland workplace notices.

Sources: labor.maryland.gov, labor.maryland.gov, services.marylandcomptroller.gov

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