If you're going to operate your business in Maine, when you start up you're going to incur filing fees and licensing fees depending on the type of business you run and your business form (corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC)).

Corporations. If you're doing business as a domestic corporation (a corporation incorporated in Maine) in Maine, you will be subject to various fees when you start up. Domestic corporations, upon filing articles of incorporation, pay to the Secretary of State fees based on the amount of capital stock. (Capital stock is the total amount of stock authorized for issue by a corporation.) For example, if your corporation has up to $2,000,000 in shares, the tax is $30 per $100,000.

The following are some additional filing requirements and payments by domestic corporations to the Secretary of State:

If you're doing business as a foreign corporation (a corporation organized outside of Maine) in Maine, you will be subject to initial fees when you start up. The following are the filing requirements and payments by foreign corporations to the Maine Secretary of State:

Limited liability companies (LLCs). If your company is either a domestic or foreign limited liability company (LLC), you must file documents as applicable with the Maine Secretary of State.

The filing fee for articles of organization is $175. The filing fee for a foreign LLC's application for a certificate of authority is $250. The filing fee for the annual report required of a domestic LLCs is $85 and $150 for a foreign LLC.

Licenses and fees. Maine requires that you obtain a license and pay a fee if you are operating certain types of businesses in the state. Below is a partial list of some of the types of businesses required to obtain a license. Be sure to check with the state to make sure you are complying with the license requirements for your particular profession.

• attorneys
• auctioneers
• commercial fishing
• commercial shellfish and marine worms
• electricians
• fish cultivation
• fish transportation
• food establishments
• hospitals, convalescent homes, and nursing homes
• lobster and crab fishing
• pharmacies
• seafood (wholesale and retail)
• security broker-dealers, investment advisors
• traveler information services