MARYLAND BUSINESS REGISTRATION & TAXATION
COMPTROLLER OF MARYLAND
Maryland implemented the International Fuel
authorities, drinking water and sewage water
Tax Agreement (IFTA) for motor carriers on
treatment plant owners, who provide water or
REGISTRATION & TAXES
1/1/96.
sewage services to residential, multi-residential,
Registration and Licensing All new businesses
and non-residential users. County governments
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax These taxes apply
(corporations, S corporations, partnerships,
are responsible for collecting a septic fee from
to businesses manufacturing, selling, distributing
limited liability companies, business trusts, and
owners of private wells and septic systems. The
or storing alcoholic beverages or selling and/or
sole propri e torships) can file a single application
fees are remitted by these entities quarterly to
distributing cigarettes and other tobacco
with the Central Registration Unit of the
the Comptroller for deposit to the Bay
products in Maryland.
Revenue Administration Division of the
Restoration Fund.
Comptroller’s Office to establish accounts for
The Maryland excise tax rates on alcoholic
Public Service Company Franchise Tax In
employer income tax withholding, sales and use
beverages are $1.50 per gallon of distilled
addition to corporation income tax, public
tax, admissions and amusement tax, tire
spirits, 40¢ per gallon of wine, and 9¢ per gallon
service companies are subject to the franchise
recycling fee, motor fuel tax, alcohol and
of beer. The tobacco tax rate is $2.00 per pack
tax on gross receipts. This tax is administered
tobacco tax and unemployment insurance. The
of 20 cigarettes, the rate is 15% of the wholesale
by the Department of Assessments and
Revenue Administration Division offers
price for other tobacco products.
Taxation.
assistance for filing applications and establishing
Admissions and Amusement Tax This tax is
accounts.
Insurance Company Premium Tax Insurance
imposed on a variety of activities, such as
companies are exempt from the corpora t ion
The Central Registration Unit assigns a single
admission to any place, including motion
income tax but are subject to the premium tax
state identification number for the taxes listed
pictures, athletic events, races, shows or
that is administered by the Maryland Insurance
above. Register online at
exhibits. Also subject to this tax are receipts
Administration.
com
from athletic equipment rentals, bingo, coin-
operated amusement devices, boat rides and
Unemployment Insurance Employers are
Corporation Income Tax The corporation
excursions, amusement rides, golf green fees,
subject to the Department of Labor, Licensing
income tax applies to every Maryland
golf cart rentals, skating, bowling shoe rentals,
and Regulation unemployment insurance
corporation and every other corporation which
lift tickets, riding academies, horse rentals, and
require m ents and must file a combined
has a nexus with Maryland. Nexus is the term
merchandise, refreshments, or a service sold or
registration application to establish an account.
used to indicate a taxable connection between a
served in connection with entertainment.
corporation and a taxing authority. If a
Workers’ Compensation Employers in
corporation conducts business activity within
The admissions and amusement tax is a local
Maryland must provide workers’ compensation
Maryland and exceeds the provisions of
tax collected by the Comptroller’s Office on
insurance for all employees. Employers may
U.S.C.A. Title 15, Section 381 of the Interstate
behalf of Maryland’s counties, Baltimore City,
obtain coverage from a private insurance
Commerce Act (P.L. 86-272) it has a nexus and
other incorporated cities and towns. The tax is
company, by becoming self-insured or by
must file an income tax return.
set by the localities at rates varying from one-
contacting the State Injured Workers’ Insurance
half of 1% to 10% of the admissions and
Fund. Employers believing they are not required
The tax is based on federal taxable income after
amusement receipts. When the gross receipts
to obtain this insurance may contact the
state modifications. Corporations engaged in
are also subject to the sales and use tax, the
Workers’ Compensation Commission for
multistate operations must allocate income
combined tax rate may not exceed 11%.
certification of compliance.
using an apportionment formula, generally
consisting of receipts, property and payroll
A separate State admissions and amusement
Business Licenses Licenses are required for
factors. The tax is imposed at a flat rate of
tax of 30% is imposed on the net proceeds from
certain businesses to operate in Maryland. To
8.25% of Maryland taxable income.
electronic bingo or electronic tip jars. When the
determine if a license is necessary, contact the
net proceeds are also subject to a local tax, the
clerk of the circuit court in the Maryland county
Employer Withholding of Income Tax
combined tax rate may not exceed 35%.
(or Baltimore City) where the business operates.
Employers making payments to individuals of
A circuit court is located in each of those
salaries, wages or compensation for personal
Tire Recycling Fee This fee applies to tire
jurisdictions.
services must withhold income tax and remit the
wholesalers or a tire retailer who buys tires from
withholding to the Maryland Revenue
out-of-state sources. Registration and payment
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Administration Division. The amount of tax to be
of the fee is handled by the Revenue
withheld is prescribed in published tables which
Bulk Sales When an existing business is
Administration Division.
are based on the individual income tax rates.
bought, the purchaser must pay a 6% bulk sales
Utility Surcharges These surcharges are
and use tax on the price of tangible personal
Sales and Use Tax This tax applies to
collected by electric companies that deliver
property, such as furniture and fixtures, that is
businesses selling in Maryland or purchasing
electricity in Maryland and by telephone
part of the business. This tax is collected by the
out of state for Maryland use.
companies doing business in Maryland. The
Compliance Division of the Comptroller’s Office.
electricity surcharges are then paid to the
The general Maryland sales and use tax rate is
Dissolution of Corporation Articles of
Comptroller for deposit in the Environmental
6%. A special 8% rate is imposed on rental
Dissolution must be filed with the Department of
Trust and Universal Service Program Funds.
trucks, and a special rate of 11½% is charged
Assessments and Taxation for the dissolution of
The telecommunications surcharges are paid to
on rentals of passenger cars and recreational
a corporation. A tax clearance certificate is no
the Comptroller for deposit in the 911 Emergency
vehicles. Most sales of food by substantial
longer required for the dissolution of a
Telephone System and Communications Access
grocery or market businesses are not subject to
corporation.
of Maryland Funds. The utility surcharges are
tax. Specific prepared foods purchased in
collected by the Revenue Administration
grocery stores are subject to tax. Other
Unclaimed Property Unclaimed funds such
Division.
exemptions include all sales solely for resale,
as wages, insurance benefits, bank accounts or
medicine, energy for residential use,
security deposits must be reported if they
OTHER REGISTRATIONS & TAXES
manufacturing machinery and equipment, and
remain unclaimed for three years. This property
certain agri c ultural equipment and supplies.
New Corporations In addition to registering
must be reported to the Compliance Division.
with the Central Registration Unit of the
Motor Fuel Tax Generally, this tax applies to
NOTE: The information provided on this page is
Comptroller’s Office, all corporations doing
businesses selling or using motor fuel in
a brief summary of the various Maryland
business in Maryland must register with the
Maryland.
business requirements and is based on the law
Department of Assessments and Taxation. This
in effect as of 07/01/2010. For additional
The Maryland motor fuel tax rate is currently
is also the office to contact to form a new
information, see the reverse side for the
23½¢ per gallon of gasoline and 24¼¢ per
corporation.
addresses and phone numbers of the Maryland
gallon of diesel fuel. There are other
Bay Restoration Fee This fee is collected by all
agencies most frequently contacted by
requirements for motor carriers, dealers, special
non-exempt local governmental entities, billing
businesses.
fuel users, sellers, and service station operators.
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