If you want your Maryland LLC cancellation handled quickly, accurately, and without the risk of SDAT rejection, FastFile provides a reliable and compliant filing solution from start to finish.
Guide to Filing Maryland LLC Articles of Cancellation
Filing the Maryland LLC Articles of Cancellation is the official process for terminating a Limited Liability Company in the state of Maryland. To complete the termination correctly, the form must include every required detail from the LLC’s legal name and principal office address to resident agent information.
The process for terminating a Maryland LLC
Terminating a Maryland Limited Liability Company requires filing official Articles of Cancellation with the Maryland State Department of Assessments & Taxation (SDAT). According to the form instructions, the Articles of Cancellation must include the LLC’s complete legal name, Maryland principal office address, resident agent information, winding-up details, and a required termination statement.
These Articles of Cancellation become effective on the filing date with SDAT or on a future date not more than 30 days after filing. All documents must follow SDAT formatting rules, and incomplete or non-conforming filings will be rejected, causing delays.
Requirements for Terminating a Maryland LLC
- Complete LLC Information
You must provide the full legal name of the Limited Liability Company exactly as registered, including all punctuation and the “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” tail. SDAT specifies that the SDAT ID Number, if known, must be placed in its correct section and must begin with “W.”
- Maryland Principal Office Address Requirement
The LLC must list its current principal office address in Maryland, and this must be a physical address. SDAT prohibits the use of any P.O. Box or drop box for the principal office address.
The process for terminating a Maryland LLC
- Resident Agent Name and Address
A Maryland resident agent must be named in the Articles of Cancellation. The agent must be either an adult individual residing in Maryland or an active Maryland LLC or corporation. The resident agent’s address must also be a physical Maryland address, not a P.O. Box or drop box.
- Winding-Up Member Information
You must list the full name and address of each member designated to wind up the affairs of the LLC. If no member was designated, SDAT requires listing the names and addresses of all members.
- Required Termination Statement
The Articles must contain the required statement that “The Limited Liability Company is terminated.” Filers may choose the filing date or select a future effective date not more than 30 days after filing. SDAT does not allow a date earlier than the filing date.
- Creditor Notification Requirement
As part of the Articles of Cancellation, you must check one of the required creditor statements. You must either confirm that the LLC has no known creditor(s), or you must state that notice of termination was sent via registered mail to all creditors, including the specific date the notices were mailed. According to SDAT requirements, the creditor notice date must be at least 19 days prior to the filing of the Articles of Cancellation.
- Authorized Signatures
The Articles of Cancellation must be signed by an adult individual authorized by the members of the LLC, and the resident agent must also sign the document.
- Conformance to SDAT Requirements
SDAT states that all fields in the form must be completed, and documents must be typed or printed in black ink. Any document that does not conform to these requirements will be rejected.
Required Information on the Maryland Articles of Cancellation
1. LLC Legal Name
You must enter the full legal name of the Limited Liability Company exactly as it appears in SDAT records, including all punctuation and the full “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” tail. The instructions clearly state that the SDAT ID number must not be added in this section.
2. SDAT ID Number (If Known)
If known, you must enter the SDAT ID Number in its designated field. The ID number must begin with “W.” If the number is not known, SDAT allows this field to be left blank.
3. Principal Office Address in Maryland
You must provide the current principal office address of the LLC, and this must be a physical address in Maryland. SDAT explicitly prohibits the use of a P.O. Box or any drop box. The address must include the street number, street name, city, state, and ZIP code.
4. Maryland Resident Agent Information
The Articles of Cancellation must list the name of the resident agent who will serve for one year after termination. The resident agent must be either:
- An individual at least 18 years old who resides in Maryland, or
- An active Maryland LLC or corporation.
The resident agent’s address must also be a physical Maryland address, not a P.O. Box or drop box location.
5. Members Designated to Wind Up Affairs
You must provide the full name and address of each member designated to wind up the company’s affairs. If no member was designated to handle the winding up, SDAT requires listing the full names and addresses of all members of the LLC.
6. Termination Statement
The Articles must include the required statement confirming that “The Limited Liability Company is terminated.”
The effective date may be:
- The filing date, or
- A future date not more than 30 days after filing.
SDAT specifies that the effective date cannot be a date earlier than the filing date.
7. Creditor Notice Requirement
You must check one of the two creditor declaration options:
- The LLC has no known creditor(s), or
- A notice of termination was sent via registered mail to all creditors, with the date provided.
SDAT requires that this notice date be at least 19 days prior to filing the Articles of Cancellation.
8. Authorized Execution
The Articles must be executed by an adult individual authorized by the members of the LLC. SDAT requires the authorized signer to complete and sign the document. Additionally, the resident agent listed in the form must also sign the Articles of Cancellation.
Required Information on the Maryland Articles of Cancellation
Filing Requirements
1. Document Formatting
SDAT requires that the Articles of Cancellation:
- Be typed or printed in black ink
- Include all required fields completed exactly as instructed
- Follow the formatting rules outlined in the form instructions
The instruction sheet states that incomplete documents or documents that do not conform to the instructions will be rejected, resulting in delays in termination.
2. Submission Method
The Articles of Cancellation must be submitted to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, Charter Legal Department. Filers may submit documents:
- By mail, following SDAT’s payment rules, or
- Online, by creating an account through Maryland Business Express, as referenced in the instructions
All submissions must follow SDAT’s location and delivery guidelines to be accepted.
What Happens After Filing?
- SDAT reviews the Articles of Cancellation
After the Articles of Cancellation are submitted, the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) reviews the filing to ensure it complies with all requirements. SDAT checks that every field has been completed correctly, the information matches the form instructions, and the document follows formatting rules. Any missing or incorrect details can affect the acceptance of the filing.
- The termination becomes effective on the filing date or a valid future date
Once approved, the termination of the LLC becomes effective either on the filing date or on a future effective date provided in the Articles of Cancellation, as long as that date is no more than 30 days after the filing date. SDAT instructions make clear that the effective date cannot be a date earlier than the filing date.
- SDAT updates the LLC’s status in state records
When the Articles of Cancellation take effect, SDAT updates the LLC’s status in its official records, indicating that the company has been terminated. This final step ensures the LLC is no longer listed as an active entity in Maryland.
Common Reasons for Rejection or Delays
- Missing or incomplete information
SDAT states that all fields in the Articles of Cancellation must be completed. Omitting required names, addresses, dates, or declarations will cause the filing to be rejected.
- Use of P.O. Box or drop box addresses
Maryland law requires that both the principal office address and the resident agent address be physical Maryland addresses. Using a P.O. Box or drop box for either address will result in rejection.
- Incorrect or missing signatures
These signatures confirm that the information in the Articles of Cancellation is complete and that both the authorized individual and the resident agent acknowledge the LLC’s termination. Ensuring both signatures are properly included helps avoid processing delays and ensures SDAT can finalize the cancellation.
- Improper or invalid effective date
The Articles of Cancellation allow a future effective date, but SDAT requires that it be no more than 30 days after filing and not earlier than the filing date. Incorrect dates result in delays or rejection.
- Creditor notice requirement not met
SDAT requires the filer to either confirm that the LLC has no known creditor(s) or provide the date registered mail notices were sent to all creditors. If notices were sent, they must have been mailed at least 19 days before filing. Any missing or incorrect creditor information can result in the Articles of Cancellation being rejected.
- Incorrect document formatting
SDAT instructions require that documents be typed or printed in black ink. Any formatting that does not conform to the instructions such as handwritten sections in the wrong color ink may cause delays.
Common Reasons for Rejection or Delays
Why Choose FastFile for Maryland LLC Dissolution
- Accurate, SDAT-Compliant Document Preparation
FastFile prepares your Articles of Cancellation exactly according to SDAT’s requirements, helping you avoid rejections caused by incomplete fields, formatting errors, or missing information.
- Fast and Streamlined Filing Process
We simplify the entire Maryland LLC termination process from collecting information to submitting your documents ensuring a smooth and efficient experience without confusion or delays.
- Expertise in Maryland LLC Requirements
Our team understands the specific rules for Maryland principal office addresses, resident agent information, winding-up member details, and creditor notice requirements, ensuring your filing is fully compliant.
- Error Prevention That Saves Time
FastFile reviews every detail, including physical address requirements, signature rules, and future effective date limits, reducing the risk of SDAT rejection.
- Secure and Confidential Handling of Information
Your business details are handled with strict confidentiality and secure processing, giving you peace of mind during the dissolution process.
Conclusion
Terminating a Maryland LLC is straightforward when the Articles of Cancellation are completed accurately and in full compliance with SDAT instructions. By providing the correct information, following formatting rules, including all mandatory signatures, and meeting creditor notification requirements, you can ensure that your LLC is properly dissolved and updated in Maryland’s state records.