Massachusetts LLC Registration

A Massachusetts LLC gives you limited liability protection and organizational flexibility. But, trying to figure out which paperwork to file and state taxes can be rough. So, what’s the best solution? Hire us, of course. For $669, our Massachusetts LLC formation package provides expert registered agent service, annual report reminders, and lifetime client support for a better price than any of our national competitors. That’s our guarantee.

How Our Massachusetts LLC Service Works

Once you order our Massachusetts LLC formation package, our local agents will immediately start putting together the information to file your Certificate of Organization within a single business day. Here’s what comes after that.

Massachusetts authorizes your LLC.
We upload your LLC documents to your secure online account.
You get Massachusetts registered agent service for a full year.
When that year is up, we’ll send a renewal notice for your registered agent service, at the same low price—just $49 a year.

It’s a straightforward process, especially when you hire us. But what should you do if you want to form an LLC on your own? We’ll break everything down for you below.

Forming a Massachusetts LLC

So you’re looking to form an LLC. Here are the steps you’ll need to take.

Name your Massachusetts LLC

Massachusetts has some guidelines you’ll need to keep in mind when naming your Massachusetts LLC.

The name must contain the words “Limited Company” or Limited Liability Company,” or an abbreviation such as L.L.C, L.C., LLC or LC.
It cannot be the same or deceptively similar to another company name in Massachusetts, unless you have written consent from the other company.
The name may contain the name of a member or manager.

If you’re hoping to use a specific name for your Massachusetts LLC , you’ll want to check the Massachusetts Business Database

Choose A Registered Agent for Your Massachusetts LLC

A registered agent is someone who accepts legal mail on behalf of your Massachusetts LLC. Your registered agent must have a physical address within Massachusetts. You can also act as your own registered agent if you want. But many LLC owners work unconventional hours, and Massachusetts law requires a registered agent to be available during normal business hours. So, hiring a professional service can help solve that potential issue.

Even if you form your LLC without outside help, you can still hire us to be your Massachusetts registered agent.

File Your Massachusetts LLC Certificate of Organization

To file the Massachusetts Certificate of Organization you’ll need to provide the following information:

Federal EIN – An EIN is your Employer Identification Number, and you can get one from the IRS. If you don’t have one, you can leave this part blank.
LLC name – It must include a business identifier like “LC.”
Office address – This is the physical address where business records are kept and maintained.
Business information – Indicate what your business will do, including if it offers a professional service.
When your business will dissolve – Only fill out this section if your business plans to operate for a set amount of time.
Managers – List managers if you have them (if not, leave this section blank). If any managers have a different business address, list that as well.
Authorized executor – List at least one person who can execute documents filed with the state. If the executor has a different office address, list that too.
Registered agent office address – This must be a physical address.
Registered agent consent – The registered agent signs here.
Signature – The person preparing the documents signs here.

The filing fee is $500. You can file with the Secretary of State online, by mail, fax, or in person. There’s an additional $20 service fee if you file online or by fax.

Report Your Beneficial Ownership Information to FinCEN

In accordance with the Corporate Transparency Act, most LLCs formed or registered to do business in the US must file a no-cost Beneficial Ownership Information report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). LLCs formed after January 1, 2024 must file their report within 30 days of formation. LLCs already in existence before 2024 have until January 1, 2025 to file their BOI report and do not need to provide company applicant information. The BOI report is not available to the public.

Business information required on the report includes the company’s full legal name, any trade or DBA names, current address, formation jurisdiction, and tax ID.

Beneficial owners and company applicants will need to include their full name, date of birth, residential address, and copy of an identifying document with a unique ID number (like a driver’s license or passport). FinCEN requires companies to list every beneficial owner and company applicant.

A beneficial owner is anyone with direct or indirect control of the company, including anyone with at least 25% ownership of the company as well as people in positions like CEOs, CFOs, or board members.
A company applicant is the person who filed to form or register the company, and if different, the person who directed the filing to be made.

Let Us Help You Form Your Massachusetts LLC

As we discussed above, forming a Massachusetts LLC by yourself is always an option. But here are some things our LLC formation service does to make life easier for business owners.

Local customer service expertise: Our customer service team works out of an office in Pittsfield. They’re locals who know Massachusetts LLCs backward and forward. They’d love to assist you with any questions you have about your Massachusetts LLC.
Fast filing: When you’re ready to get going with your LLC, the last thing you want to do is sit around and wait. That’s why we prepare and file your Massachusetts Certificate of Organization in a single business day
Locked-in pricing: Massachusetts is an expensive state for business owners, and those prices can always go up. But our LLC formation package pricing won’t. We guarantee the price you pay at sign-up is also the price you’ll pay every year after that.
Privacy safeguards: In Massachusetts, the address you list on your Certificate of Organization is considered public information. When you hire us, we list our business address instead of your personal address. That means your private information stays private.

Questions About Forming a Massachusetts LLC

Can I reserve a name for my Massachusetts LLC?

Yes. You can submit an Application of Reservation of Name for a $30 filing fee. It must be submitted in person or by mail, as online and fax filings aren’t available for this form. Once you’ve filed, the name is reserved for 60 days. For another $30, you can extend the reservation by an additional 60 days.

Do I need to file a Massachusetts Annual Report?

Yes, all Massachusetts LLCs must file a Massachusetts Annual Report. The report must be filed on or before the anniversary date of when the LLC first filed its Certificate of Organization. The fee is $500 to file online, by mail, by fax, or in person. There’s an additional $20 service fee to file online or by fax.

How are Massachusetts LLCs taxed?

By default, LLCs get taxed as pass-through entities, which means you must report your share of the business’s profits on your personal taxes. As an alternative, you can opt to file as a S-Corp or C-corp by submitting paperwork to the IRS. You’ll also have to pay federal self-employment taxes at 15.3% along with any applicable state taxes.

Can I register a trade name (DBA)?

Yes, many Massachusetts companies operate under a trade name (also called a DBA) because it allows for franchising and branding opportunities. If you’d like to register a trade name, select our Trade Name Service inside your account after signing up for our business formation service. We’ll register your company’s trade name for $100 plus filing fees.

Do I need a Massachusetts business license?

Probably, though it depends on what kind of business you’re running. If you’re selling products or services, you’ll definitely need a state sales tax certificate. You will need a professional business license if your LLC provides services that require specialized training or education. Finally, your city or county may also require local licenses before you can operate your business legally.