Filed with
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division
Document
Certificate of Organization
Recurring filing
Every year
- 01
Choose a name for your Massachusetts LLC
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division business filings →The name must contain "limited liability company", "limited company", "L.L.C.", "L.C.", "LLC" or "LC". It also has to be distinguishable from every business already on the Massachusetts register.
Search the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division business records before you file.
- 02
Choose a registered agent
Every Massachusetts LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in Massachusetts, available in business hours to accept legal papers and state notices.
You can be your own agent, but your address goes on the public record and you need to be there during business hours. A registered agent service keeps your home address off the filing.
- 03
File your Certificate of Organization
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division →The Certificate of Organization is the document that creates your LLC. It is filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division, which accepts it online.
It names the LLC, its registered agent and address, and whether it is managed by its members or by managers.
- 04
Write an operating agreement
Massachusetts operating agreement rules and free generator →The operating agreement sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are shared and how decisions are made. It is not filed with the state, but banks often ask for it, and without one your state’s default rules decide disputes between members.
- 05
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number from the IRS is the LLC’s federal tax number. You need it to open a business bank account and to hire, and it is free from the IRS.
- 06
Open a business bank account
Keep the LLC’s money separate from yours from the first day. Mixing them is the most common reason courts set aside an LLC’s liability protection.
- 07
Get the licenses your business needs
Massachusetts business license lookup →Forming the LLC is not a business license. Check whether Massachusetts requires a state license, what your city or county requires, and whether your trade is licensed. If you sell taxable goods or services, register for Massachusetts sales tax too.
- 08
Keep your Massachusetts LLC in good standing
Compliance deadline tracker →Massachusetts LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due on or before the anniversary date of the filing of the LLC's original Certificate of Organization each year.
Worth knowing in Massachusetts
- The annual report restates the information in the Certificate of Organization, updated for any changes.
- The Certificate of Organization and annual reports can both be filed online with the Corporations Division.
Or have it done for $399
We check your name, file your Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division and pay the state fee, act as your Massachusetts registered agent for the first year, get your EIN and write your operating agreement. One price, nothing else to buy.
Sources
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Frequently asked questions
How do I start an LLC in Massachusetts?
Choose an available name, appoint a registered agent in Massachusetts, and file a Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division. Then write an operating agreement, get an EIN from the IRS and open a business bank account.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts charges a filing fee for the Certificate of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399, with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. See our Massachusetts LLC cost page for the yearly costs.
Does a Massachusetts LLC have to file an annual report?
Massachusetts LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due on or before the anniversary date of the filing of the LLC's original Certificate of Organization each year.
What is the Certificate of Organization?
The document filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division that creates your LLC. It gives the LLC's name, its registered agent and registered office in Massachusetts, and how it is managed.
Can I be my own registered agent in Massachusetts?
Yes, if you have a physical address in Massachusetts and are there during business hours. That address becomes part of the public record.
