Start a Business in Maine
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LLC, C-Corp, or S-Corp?
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Limiting Your Liability
Do you need liability insurance, limited liability protection, or both?
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This guide on starting your business in Maine provides step-by-step instructions on the paperwork to file formation documents, obtain tax IDs, and set up company records.
Step-By-Step Startup
Below is an overview of the paperwork, cost, and time to form each of the most popular business structures. Simply click on the link for your desired structure to view detailed step-by-step instructions.
- If you have not decided whether you want to form an LLC, corporation, or other business structure, click here.
- If wish to form your business in a different state than Maine, click here.
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Maine Limited Liability Company Click for step-by-step instructions |
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Maine Corporation Click for step-by-step instructions |
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Maine Nonprofit Click for step-by-step instructions |
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Top 5 Tips on Registering a Business in Maine
- LLC formation can be filed online but corporate formation cannot. For this reason, LLC formation is immediate but incorporation takes ~2 weeks, unless you pay the state expedite fee. When filing by mail, include the filer contact cover form.
- Original inked signatures are required on formation and annual report documents.
- You need your EIN before you can register your business for state business tax accounts. Maine Revenue Services permits you to submit a single application to register for income tax withholding, unemployment compensation tax, sales and use tax, service provider tax, motor fuels tax, and other business taxes.
- Maine uses the terms "registered agent" and "clerk"/"commercial clerk" interchangeably. This individual or business receives notice of lawsuit and other official documents for your business. An LLC or corporation must always have a clerk or registered agent on record in Maine.
- LLCs and corporations must file an annual report. Only if you have filed a previous annual report, you will receive an e-mail from the Maine Secretary of State. So mark a reminder for your first year, because the secretary will not notify you. As your registered agent, we provide a reminder.
