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Register a business in Massachusetts
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Massachusetts. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Massachusetts business entities are formed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division; online filing is available. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
Forming an LLC
- A Massachusetts LLC is formed by filing a Certificate of Organization (M.G.L. c. 156C) with the Corporations Division, by mail, in person or online. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
- Filing online adds an expedite fee that is set by the size of the order. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
- LLC Certificate of Organization filing fee: $500 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
- Online expedite fee on an order of this size, added: $20 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
Forming a corporation
- A Massachusetts business corporation is formed by filing Articles of Organization (M.G.L. c. 156D) with the Corporations Division. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
- Filing online adds an expedite fee that is set by the size of the order. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
- Articles of Organization, minimum fee for up to 275,000 authorized shares: $275 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
- Added for each additional 100,000 authorized shares: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
Annual or biennial report
- A Massachusetts LLC files its report on or before the anniversary of its certificate of organization. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
- A Massachusetts corporation files its report within two and a half months after its fiscal year ends. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
- LLC annual report: $500 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
- Corporation annual report: $125 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
- Corporation annual report, filed late: $150 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
- Corporation annual report, filed electronically: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- A business using a name other than its legal name files a business certificate with the city or town where it is located. Each municipality sets its own process (M.G.L. c. 110, section 5). Commonwealth of Massachusetts (mass.gov), as of
State tax registration
- Massachusetts businesses register for state tax accounts online through MassTaxConnect, the Department of Revenue’s portal (Register a New Business). Massachusetts Department of Revenue, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Public and semi-public pools must be under a pool supervisor, aged 21 or over, who holds Pool Operator certification from the YMCA, NSPF or a DPH-approved equivalent (105 CMR 435.17). The supervisor may be an employee of a contracted pool service. Massachusetts Department of Public Health, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- Limited Liability Company Information Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division. As of .
- Corporations Division filing fees Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division. As of .
- Domestic Corporation Forms Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division. As of .
- Business certificates (DBA) in Massachusetts Commonwealth of Massachusetts (mass.gov). As of .
- Register Your Business with MassTaxConnect Massachusetts Department of Revenue. As of .
- 105 CMR 435.00 State Sanitary Code Chapter V: Minimum Standards for Swimming Pools Massachusetts Department of Public Health. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
Last checked