State Guide
EIN in Maryland (MD)
How to get an EIN for your Maryland business. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS, identical in every state. Non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax with no SSN. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Maryland sits on the US East Coast next to Washington, D.C., with a population near 6 million and an economy built on biotech, defense, government contracting, and trade through the Port of Baltimore. Founders form Maryland LLCs to reach US customers and to anchor a US business identity. Every Maryland LLC that opens a bank account, hires, or files US taxes needs a federal EIN. This guide explains how non-residents get a Maryland EIN with no SSN, how the federal EIN differs from Maryland's own state tax registration, and what to do after the IRS assigns your number.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Maryland (MD) |
| State tax authority | Comptroller of Maryland |
| Formation agency | Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation |
| Federal EIN | Same as all states (IRS) |
| EIN cost | $0 (IRS) / $49 (ein.so Standard) |
| IRS EIN fax number | 855-215-1627 |
| SS-4 ID line for non-residents | Line 7b: passport number |
Federal vs State
Is a Maryland EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
A Maryland EIN is not a separate thing. The EIN is a federal number issued by the IRS, identical in all 50 states. Maryland does not issue its own EIN. The same 9-digit number (XX-XXXXXXX) works nationwide for federal tax reporting.
Maryland does run its own state-level tax registration, which is separate from the federal EIN. A Maryland business can need both numbers depending on its activities. The table below separates the two.
| Identifier | Issued by | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN | IRS | Federal taxes, banking, payment processors, Form 5472 |
| Maryland state tax registration | Comptroller of Maryland | State sales tax, withholding, employer accounts |
Your federal EIN does not replace Maryland state tax registration, and the state registration does not replace the EIN. Most non-resident-owned LLCs with no US employees and no Maryland sales tax nexus need only the federal EIN to bank and file. Confirm your Maryland registration duties with a CPA. See state tax ID for more on the distinction.
How to Apply
How Do You Get an EIN in Maryland?
You get an EIN in Maryland by filing IRS Form SS-4. The IRS charges $0. Four methods exist, but non-residents without an SSN must use fax to 855-215-1627, because the IRS online tool requires an SSN.
| Method | Speed | Cost | SSN required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Instant | $0 | Yes |
| Fax | 4-7 days | $0 (DIY) / $49 (ein.so) | No |
| Phone | Same day | $0 | International call |
| 4-6 weeks | $0 | No |
The fax method is the standard route for non-residents. ein.so prepares Form SS-4, faxes it to the IRS at 855-215-1627, and returns your EIN assignment letter by email. Standard processing costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (2-3 business days). See how to get an EIN for the complete walkthrough and EIN without SSN for the non-resident path.
What Non-Residents Do After Forming a Maryland LLC
- Form the LLC with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, usually through a registered agent
- File Form SS-4 to get the federal EIN
- Register with the Comptroller of Maryland only if you have state tax nexus
- File the BOI report with FinCEN (federal)
- Open a business bank account with the EIN
Step-by-Step
How Do Non-Residents File Form SS-4 for a Maryland LLC?
Non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 and enter a passport number on Line 7b in place of an SSN. The form takes minutes to complete correctly. The IRS issues most error-free EINs within 4-7 business days and returns the CP 575 assignment letter.
Form Your Maryland LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Submit by Fax and Receive Your EIN
SS-4 Field Guide for Non-Residents
| SS-4 Field | Non-Resident Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your Maryland LLC name |
| Line 4 (Mailing address) | Your home-country address |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason for applying) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "e-commerce," "consulting," "software" |
A common rejection cause is foreign address formatting that does not map to the SS-4 fields. ein.so reformats international addresses to an IRS-accepted style. See the full SS-4 form guide and the complete EIN application process.
Cost & Timing
How Much Does an EIN in Maryland Cost?
An EIN in Maryland costs $0 directly from the IRS. ein.so charges $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days) to prepare and fax Form SS-4 for non-residents. Forming the Maryland LLC is a separate state cost paid to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
The EIN fee and the LLC formation fee are two different things. The IRS never charges for the EIN. Maryland charges its own LLC filing fee, which you should confirm on the official state site rather than from third parties. The table below separates each cost.
| Item | Charged by | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN (DIY fax) | IRS | $0 |
| EIN filing service (Standard) | ein.so | $49 |
| EIN filing service (Express) | ein.so | $97 |
| Maryland LLC formation | State of Maryland | Confirm on official site |
| ITIN service (if needed) | ein.so | $197 / $297 Express |
Most non-residents pick the $49 Standard service because the IRS online tool is unavailable to them and a single SS-4 error restarts the wait. See EIN cost and EIN processing time for full breakdowns.
Banking & Payments
How Do You Use a Maryland EIN for Banking and Payments?
You use a Maryland EIN to open a US business bank account and connect US payment processors. Together these give a Maryland LLC full access to the dollar economy. Mercury, Relay, and Wise approve many non-resident LLC owners remotely within a few business days.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe and Card Payments
PayPal Business
Amazon and Marketplaces
The EIN is the key that unlocks each of these. Without it, a US bank or processor cannot verify your Maryland entity. See EIN for non-residents for the full banking path.
Tax Compliance
What Are the Tax Obligations for a Maryland LLC?
A foreign-owned single-member Maryland LLC must file federal Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. Maryland also imposes a state income tax with multiple brackets, separate from federal tax. Confirm your exact obligations with a CPA.
Federal: Form 5472 + 1120
Maryland State Tax
BOI Report to FinCEN
Annual Reporting
ein.so handles the EIN application only and does not provide tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters to confirm your Maryland and federal duties. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents.
Comparison
How Does Getting a Maryland EIN Compare to DIY?
Getting a Maryland EIN through ein.so costs $49 and removes the rejection risk of self-filing. The IRS itself charges $0, but non-residents cannot use the fast online tool and a single SS-4 error restarts the 4-7 day wait. The table below compares the realistic paths for a non-resident.
| Path | Cost | Speed | Rejection risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS online tool | $0 | Instant | Blocked without SSN |
| DIY fax to 855-215-1627 | $0 | 4-7 days if error-free | Higher (address, line errors) |
| IRS phone 800-829-4933 | $0 | Same day | International call during US hours |
| ein.so Standard | $49 | 4-7 business days | Low (form reviewed) |
| ein.so Express | $97 | 2-3 business days | Low (form reviewed) |
Why non-residents avoid the online tool
- The IRS online EIN application requires a valid SSN or ITIN.
- Non-residents without those numbers must use fax or phone instead.
- A malformed foreign address on Form SS-4 causes silent IRS rejection.
- A rejected fax restarts the 4-7 business day clock with no notice.
ein.so reviews every line before faxing, so the SS-4 reaches the IRS in an accepted format the first time. See EIN for non-residents and apply now.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN in Maryland
- Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident LLC owners
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, free at fincen.gov/boi
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Confirm Maryland registration — check the Comptroller of Maryland only if you have state tax nexus
- Review the basics — how to get an EIN, EIN without SSN, EIN cost, EIN processing time
Other states: Colorado | Tennessee | Indiana | Minnesota. Browse all on EIN by State.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Maryland EIN different from a federal EIN?
No. The EIN is a federal number issued by the IRS. It is the same 9-digit number (XX-XXXXXXX) regardless of which state you operate in. Maryland does not issue its own version of an EIN. The federal SS-4 process is identical whether your LLC is in Maryland, Texas, or Delaware.
How do I get an EIN in Maryland as a non-resident?
File IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 using your passport number on Line 7b. The IRS charges $0. Non-residents cannot use the online tool because it requires an SSN. ein.so prepares and faxes your SS-4 for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days).
Do I need an SSN or ITIN to get a Maryland EIN?
No. Non-residents do not need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN. Your passport number goes on Form SS-4 Line 7b instead. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, so non-residents must use the fax method that ein.so handles for $49.
Does Maryland have a separate state tax ID?
Yes. Maryland issues its own state tax registration through the Comptroller of Maryland. This is separate from your federal EIN. A Maryland business may need both: the federal EIN for IRS reporting and the state registration for Maryland sales tax, withholding, or employer accounts.
How much does it cost to get an EIN in Maryland?
The EIN costs $0 from the IRS. ein.so charges $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days) to prepare and fax Form SS-4 for non-residents. Forming the Maryland LLC with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation is a separate state cost. Confirm current state fees on the official site.
How long does it take to get an EIN in Maryland?
Through ein.so, Standard processing takes 4-7 business days ($49) and Express takes 2-3 business days ($97). The DIY fax method takes 4-7 business days if Form SS-4 is error-free. Calling the IRS at 800-829-4933 can issue an EIN same day but means international calls during US hours. See EIN processing time for details.
Can I form a Maryland LLC as a non-resident?
Yes. Non-residents can form an LLC in Maryland through the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, usually with a registered agent. No US citizenship, visa, or residency is required. After formation, you attach the federal EIN to the LLC by filing Form SS-4. Confirm current filing fees on the official state site.
What taxes does a Maryland LLC owe?
Maryland imposes a state income tax with rates that range across brackets, separate from federal tax. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC also files federal Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year; the penalty for not filing is $25,000. Confirm your exact Maryland and federal obligations with a CPA. ein.so does not give tax advice.
Do I need an EIN to open a bank account for a Maryland LLC?
Yes. US banks require an EIN to open a business bank account for a Maryland LLC. Mercury, Relay, and Wise approve many non-resident LLC owners remotely with an EIN, the formation documents, and a passport. The EIN is the federal tax ID that links your Maryland company to the US banking system.
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