Here's what you need in Maine
Official state business portal: Business Answers. Business Answers is the state service that helps you find the licenses and permits you need to start and run a business in Maine, with free help by phone and email.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. Maine has no general state business license. General licenses to operate a business are handled by your town or city, and some professions and business types need a state license or permit. | Maine Department of Economic and Community Development | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCCertificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6). To form an LLC, file a Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6) with the Maine Secretary of State. Faster processing costs extra. | Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations | $175 filing fee | Applyat maine.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Trade name certificate (town or city clerk). A sole proprietor or general partnership using a trade name files with the clerk of the town or city where the business is located. An LLC or corporation that wants to use another name files an assumed name form with the Division of Corporations. | Municipal clerk (sole proprietors and partnerships); Maine Secretary of State (LLCs and corporations) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitSales tax registration (Retailer Certificate). If your business is in Maine and makes regular sales of goods or taxable services, register for a sales tax account with Maine Revenue Services on the Maine Tax Portal. You get a Retailer Certificate with your registration number. | Maine Revenue Services | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat revenue.maine.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment insurance tax account. Employers register for an unemployment insurance tax account with the Maine Department of Labor, then file quarterly wage reports and pay premiums on wages. | Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation | You pay tax on wages | Applyat maine.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in Maine pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual ReportEvery Maine LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State each year. A Maine LLC pays less than an LLC from another state. | Maine Secretary of State | $85 a year | Applyat maine.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or county may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonBarbering and cosmetology establishment license. Barber shops, salons and other Level 1 and Level 2 establishments need an establishment license from the Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program. One program covers both barbers and cosmetologists, and licenses renew every year by October 31. | Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program | $20 a year to renew; new license fee not published | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeFamily Child Care Provider license. If you care for 3 to 12 children who are not your own in your home on a regular basis for pay, you need a Family Child Care Provider license before you start. A full license lasts two years. | Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services | $80 for a provisional license, $160 for a full 2 year license | Applyat maine.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)On-premise liquor license. Bars and restaurants apply for an on-premise liquor license in the state BELLS system. The town or city where the business is located must also approve the application, and it may hold a public hearing. | Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, Division of Liquor Licensing | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorNo state general contractor license. Maine does not license general contractors or trades such as roofing and framing. The state does license plumbers and electricians, so check before hiring or starting that kind of work. | Maine Office of the Attorney General | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Home food manufacturing license. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry licenses home food businesses. We could not open its pages to check the rules, the fee or any sales limit, so check with the department before you sell. | Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Maine
- At $175, the LLC filing fee is among the highest: only 7 of 49 verified states charge more.
- Where to file a business name (DBA): A sole proprietor or general partnership using a trade name files with the clerk of the town or city where the business is located. An LLC or corporation that wants to use another name files an assumed name form with the Division of Corporations.
- Maine does not license general contractors at the state level, one of 4 states in our data. Trades such as electrical and plumbing can still need a state license, and cities often require registration.
- Annual Report: $85 a year. Every Maine LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State each year. A Maine LLC pays less than an LLC from another state.
Steps to start a business in Maine
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6) with the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations ($175).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the Municipal clerk (sole proprietors and partnerships); Maine Secretary of State (LLCs and corporations).
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Maine Revenue Services before your first sale.
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and county permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Maine can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and county clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
Questions about business licenses in Maine
Do I need a business license in Maine?
No. Maine has no general state business license. General licenses to operate a business are handled by your town or city, and some professions and business types need a state license or permit.
How much is a business license in Maine?
There is no general state business license fee in Maine. A local business license, if your city or county requires one, is priced by that city or county. State licenses for some types of business have their own fees, listed on this page.
How much is an LLC in Maine?
The Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations charges $175 filing fee to file the Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6). To form an LLC, file a Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6) with the Maine Secretary of State. Faster processing costs extra.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Maine?
Annual Report: $85 a year. Every Maine LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State each year. A Maine LLC pays less than an LLC from another state.
Does an LLC need a business license in Maine?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in Maine still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or county.
Do I need a sales tax permit in Maine?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. If your business is in Maine and makes regular sales of goods or taxable services, register for a sales tax account with Maine Revenue Services on the Maine Tax Portal. You get a Retailer Certificate with your registration number.
How do I get a DBA in Maine?
A sole proprietor or general partnership using a trade name files with the clerk of the town or city where the business is located. An LLC or corporation that wants to use another name files an assumed name form with the Division of Corporations.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Maine?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
Do contractors need a state license in Maine?
Maine does not license general contractors or trades such as roofing and framing. The state does license plumbers and electricians, so check before hiring or starting that kind of work.
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Municipal clerk (sole proprietors and partnerships); Maine Secretary of State (LLCs and corporations) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Maine Revenue Services Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, Division of Liquor Licensing Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Maine Office of the Attorney General Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Annual Report Maine Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026