No, but it is recommended to reserve a name prior to filing to ensure that it remains available during the incorporation process.
How do I reserve a corporate name?
The reservation of your corporate name will be handled by IncParadise and is included in the price of our service.
Do I have to renew my name registration?
No.
How do I incorporate in Massachusetts?
When using our service, IncParadise will file, on your behalf, the required administrative forms and articles of incorporation with the appropriate Massachusetts agency.
Is a registered agent required?
Yes. The registered agent must be either: (1) an individual who may be the secretary or officer of another corporation and whose business office is the registered office of the corporation or (2) a corporation authorized to do business in Massachusetts, having a business office identical with the registered office. As part of our ongoing service, IncParadise does provide a registered agent service option that you can select during the online registration process.
How many Incorporators are required to form a corporation in Massachusetts?
One or more.
How many Directors are required to start a corporation in Massachusetts?
A board of directors shall consist of 1 or more individuals, with the number specified in or fixed in accordance with the articles of organization or bylaws, but if the corporation has more than 1 shareholder, the number of directors shall not be less than 3, except that whenever there shall be only 2 shareholders, the number of directors shall not be less than 2.
Are corporations in Massachusetts required to file an Annual Report?
A report must be filed every year within 2 ½ months after the end of the corporation’s fiscal year.
TAX ID (Employment Identification Number - EIN) - FREE
Self-Service: Obtaining a Tax ID number doesn’t cost any money. You can apply by phone, fax or mail. You can also call toll free at (800) 829 4933 and get EIN instantly over the phone. If you apply by fax, it takes about 4-5 business days. If you apply by mail, it takes about 3-4 weeks. Please find information about Tax ID – EIN here.
What is “S Corporation”?: An “S Corporation” is a corporation that elects to be taxed under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code and receives IRS approval of its request for Subchapter S status. As a legal entity (an artificial person), the S corporation is separate and distinct from the corporation’s owners (the stockholders). Under Nevada incorporation law, there is no distinction between a C corporation and an S corporation. The incorporation process is the same. However, the two type of corporate entities are subject to differing federal and state tax treatment. Our cost is $45. Order S Corporation filing here.
We can help you submit the filing with FinCEN for your company. Companies formed in 2024 have 90 days to file initial reports after receiving official notification of their creation. Companies existing before 2024 have a deadline of January 1, 2025, for their initial reports. Those established after 2025 will have 30 days to file initial reports after registration.
Let IncParadise efficiently and affordably handle your BOI reporting with FinCEN, allowing you to focus on running your business and avoid costly compliance mistakes.
MASSACHUSETTS CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING
A certificate of good standing (certificate of existence) is a document issued by the Secretary of State certifying that your corporation does exist legally and that it is in good standing with the state. We can obtain one for you. The fee is $89 + state fee.
MASSACHUSETTS APOSTILLE
In 1981, the United States joined the 1961 Hague Convention abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The Convention provides for the authentication of public (including notarized) documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention. Apostille of Articles of Incorporation or other document is issued by the Secretary of State. Price is $89 + state fee.
MASSACHUSETTS REINSTATEMENT OF CORPORATION/LLC
If your charter was revoked and you want reinstate the company, you have to pay all due fees and penalties and file appropriate annual reports.
Do you need somebody to handle reinstatement for you? Please contact us! We charge $89. We can find out how much money you owe for state fees.
MASSACHUSETTS AMENDMENTS OF ARTICLES
There are times when a business needs to change the information included in the Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization. To do this, you need to file an amendment with the Massachusetts Secretary of State. Some reasons a business may need to file an amendment are to change the company’s name, to expand or alter the company’s business purpose, or to change the number of authorized shares or par value (for corporations only).
Do you need somebody to handle the filing of amendment for you? Please contact us! We charge $89 + state fees. Pay by PayPal (our email address is paypal@https://incparadise.net).
FOREIGN QUALIFICATION (all U.S. states)
Registration of foreign company qualifying to conduct business in other states: If your company expects to transact business outside your state of formation, your company may be required to qualify as a “foreign corporation” or “foreign LLC.” We can file the necessary paperwork to qualify your business as a foreign corporation or LLC in any of the 50 states.
Do you need somebody to handle foreign qualification for you? Please contact us!
Business licenses are mandatory for every business in the USA to operate legally. You may require federal, state, local licenses, permits, and tax regulations for your business.
Obtaining business licenses and permits is a daunting and time-consuming process as it entirely depends on the business industry, location, etc. IncParadise makes the business license process easy for you by delivering a report that lists the required federal, state, local licenses, permits, and tax regulations. Our expert research team searches, identifies and verifies the local, state, and federal licenses and permit requirements for your business type and location. They then send you the report with a list of these business license requirements so that you can save yourself time and effort.
We offer brand-new local voice mail or fax number. We will also issue you a password that will allow you to access the voice mail system in order to retrieve messages and/or set up your own customized greeting. Faxes can be forwarded to your email. Service available in MASSACHUSETTS: Andover, Boston, Bridgewater, Framingham, Woburn, Worcester. More details about local voice mail and fax services.
TOLL-FREE NUMBERS
We offer the best toll-free numbers on the market. Nationwide businesses, mid-sized and small businesses, and families can order toll-free 800 services and get a number that rings directly to your home or business. Redirect it to your fax machine or cell phone and back as you change locations. Track calls on the Internet in real time. Select an easily remembered vanity number for your business. You will get: custom routing, voice mail, inbound faxing, website account management, call recording, lead generation, vanity numbers, national toll-free database search and much more!
Massachusetts LLC and Corporation Registration and Formation
A vibrant technology start-up ecosystem is what has been responsible for Massachusetts outrank of other states in the nation which is being ranked high for its “Innovation Economy.” This is one of the many reasons why people prefer to form a Massachusetts business. The state provides businesses with access to capital, skilled workforce, and professional networks and its open innovation ecosystem includes RFID/CSID, robotics, photonics, video gaming, nanotechnology, cloud computing, and even Web 2.0 Companies.
How do you form a Massachusetts business LLC or Corporation? Here is a step-by-step procedure:
Massachusetts LLC Registration and Formation
LLC company formation in Massachusetts is governed by 2006 Massachusetts Code – CHAPTER 156C. — Limited Liability Company Act. The process for registration and formation of LLC is as follows:
Step#1: Maintain a registered agent
According to 2006 Massachusetts Code – Chapter 156C — Section 5, a domestic and foreign LLC needs to continuously maintain a registered agent in the state. If you are planning to form a Massachusetts business, you will need to appoint an agent authorized to receive service of process on your behalf. We would take this opportunity to share with you the fact we are one of the top Massachusetts registered agents and are familiar with all processes pertaining to the Massachusetts State and can provide information and assistance for successful set up of your business!
Step#2: LLC Name Reservation
One of the foremost steps towards company formation in Massachusetts is identifying a name for your business entity. What is the process? The process is as follows:
According to MA Code, Chapter 156C — Section 3 (2006), the name should contain the phrase or words “limited liability company” or the abbreviations “L.L.C.”, or “LLC”.
The chosen name should be distinguishable and should not be deceptively similar to the name of any limited partnership, corporation, or limited liability company
Apply for reservation of name pursuant to MA Code, Chapter 156C — Section 4 (2006)
File with the Secretary of the Commonwealth along with the applicable fee. An LLC can reserve its name for a period of 60 days.
Step#3: Certificate of Organization and Application of Registration
If you are planning to form a Massachusetts business LLC then the most important step is to prepare and file the proper documents for a Limited Liability Company. The steps are:
If you want to register a domestic LLC then you will be required to file “Certificate of Organization” governed by General Laws Chapter 156C, Section 12.
If your business entity is a foreign LLC then you will be required to file an “Application of Registration” pursuant to 2006 Massachusetts Code, Chapter 156C, Section 48.
The application or documentation for registration of LLC can be filed with the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in person or online.
We can file the form on your behalf as your registered agent in the state and provide you with certified copies of the LLC registration.
Should you have any questions regarding how to form a business in Massachusetts, feel free to call us on 702-871-8678.
Massachusetts Corporation Registration and Formation
If you are planning to form a Corporation in Massachusetts then here is the step-by-step procedure for registration and formation:
Step#1: Maintain a Registered Agent
According to 2006 Massachusetts Code – Chapter 156D — Section 5.04, a domestic and foreign Corporation needs to continuously maintain a registered agent in the state. If you are planning to form a corporation in Massachusetts, you will need to appoint an agent authorized to receive service of process on your behalf. We would take this opportunity to share with you the fact that we are one of the top registered agents in the state and have been responsible for over 11,494 businesses set up in Massachusetts.
We are in compliance with all regulations in the State of Massachusetts.
Step#2: Corporate Name Reservation
In order to form a corporation in Massachusetts, one of the key steps is identifying a name for your business entity. What is the process? The process is as follows:
According to 2006 Massachusetts Code – Chapter 156D — Section 4.01, a corporate name should contain the phrase or words “corporation”, “company”, “incorporated”, or the abbreviations “Corp.”, or “Inc.”
The chosen name should be distinguishable and should not be deceptively similar to the name of any limited liability company, limited partnership, or corporation
Apply for reservation of name pursuant to 2006 Massachusetts Code – Chapter 156D — Section 4.02.
File with the Secretary of the Commonwealth along with the applicable fee. A business corporation can reserve its name for a period of 120 days.
Step#3: Articles of Organization and Certificate of Registration
If you are planning to form a corporation in Massachusetts, then the most important step is to prepare and file the proper documents for a business corporation. They are as follows:
If you want to register a domestic corporation then you will be required to file “Articles of Organization” pursuant to M.G.L.A. c156D § 2.02; 950 CMR 113.16.
If your business entity is a foreign corporation then you will be required to file an ” Certificate of Registration” to transact business in the state pursuant to M.G.L.A. c156D § 15.03 (2004); 950 CMR 113.48.
The application or documentation for registration of a corporation can be filed with the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in person or online.
We can file the form on your behalf as your registered agent in the state and provide you with certified copies of the incorporation.
If you have any questions regarding Massachusetts incorporation or LLC formation, you can simply visit the Massachusetts Business formation page.
Once you have applied for registration of your new business in Massachusetts, what is the next step? The next step is to check whether your business requires a Massachusetts company license. If a business entity requires a license or permit and if you have not applied for one, then even after registration or incorporation, you will be unable to operate your business.
There are several types of businesses that require a permit or business license in Massachusetts to become operational. The general license needed by a business to operate is handled at the city or town level. The information regarding various types of license or permits issued in Massachusetts is available at The Division of Professional Licensure (DPL) and they oversee 39 boards or licensing authorities in the state.
How to Get a Business License in Massachusetts
How do you find out if your business requires a permit or a license, or both? Who is the issuing authority for a business permit or license? How do you apply for business license in Massachusetts? Will a business entity require a single license or multiple licenses or permits? The only way to answer these questions is by understanding the process of business licensing.
Here is a step-by-step approach towards acquiring a business license in the state of Massachusetts.
Step#1: The Industry or Business Type
The state of Massachusetts provides business licenses and permits to different types of businesses. The type of industry or the activities of a business helps in identifying the type of business license required. It is important to know that licenses for specific businesses are issued by the state and not licenses and permit for all businesses.
The permit or business license issued mostly by the state of Massachusetts can be categorized under:
Health Care Licenses
Building & Trades
Professional Training & Career Development
Commercial Fishing
Real Estate Licensing
Cosmetology and Barbering Licensing
Commercial Transportation
Alcoholic Beverages
These are some of the categories for which state-wide licenses are issued. Click here to check other licenses and permits issued by DPL.
Step#2: Licenses issued by City/County
If your business type doesn’t fall under a state-wide license then you will have to check with the local city or county office. A business license in Massachusetts is not always issued by the state but also by local counties in which the business is located.
Let’s take a look at an example to understand this better.
If you establish a business in Boston, MA and the focus area of your business is Restaurant or Food Services then your Massachusetts company license will be issued by the City Councilor or the office of the Licensing Board.
Similarly, if you wanted to serve alcohol in the premises of your Boston restaurant then the license for same would be issued by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission in Massachusetts. This implies that a single type of business may require multiple license or permits issued by different authorities.
Step#3: Requirements for Business License
How is a business license in Massachusetts issued? Is there a process? Do you require documentation? The following example will help you understand how the process works:
Type of Business – Restaurant
Type of Business License required – To start a restaurant you will require the following:
– Food Establishment Permit
– Site Cleanliness License
– Flammability Certificates (Flame Certs)
– Common Victualler License
– Food Service Health Permit
– Certificate of Inspection
– Workers’ Compensation Insurance information
– Place of Assembly Permit (occupancy more than 50)
– Alcoholic Beverages License
Cost of procuring these permits or license – Depending on which of the above business license is required, the fee can vary from Food Service Health Permit ($200 + fees for certain menu items) to $1,000 including Alcoholic Beverage License of $470.
Once you have identified the type of business and the permit or license required, you can simply go ahead and apply to the licensing board for that particular business type.
If you have any questions regarding registration of your business or require information regarding business license in Massachusetts, feel free to call us on 702-871-8678.
Advantages of Incorporating a Business in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is considered as one of the most innovative economies in the United States and is right there at the top and counted amongst the leading technology states. Innovation and technology are actually responsible for driving the state’s economic development, along with boosting wage growth and creation of jobs. In the recent times, there has been a steady rise in the number of start-up companies in Massachusetts in several sectors including telecommunication and technology, financial services, manufacturing of computer and electronic products, manufacture of communication equipment, and fabricated metal products among others.
Business Growth Incentive for New Businesses
Massachusetts is home to some of the top companies and brands in the world including General Electric, Dell EMC, The TJX Companies, Staples, Raytheon, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Civitas Solutions, Marshall’s Inc, Harvard University, and The Boston Consulting Group among others. Whether you are planning to register a new company in Massachusetts as an LLC or a Corporation, there are distinctive advantages that your business can benefit from. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Advantage#1: The benefits of Incorporation or LLC formation
Corporation
Business Tax Credit: If you register a new company in Massachusetts as a C or S Corporation then you can benefit from different types of tax credits. The most popular amongst all include the Investment Tax Credit and the Economic Development Incentive Program Credit (EDIPC).
Independent Life: One of the salient advantages of an S Corporation in Massachusetts is that it enjoys an independent life. This simple means that the business entity will continue operation undisturbed even if it is faced with the death of one of its stockholders or incapacitation of one or more stockholders.
Pass through taxation: If you register a new company in Massachusetts as an S corporation then the corporation or firm will not pay any income tax. Instead, the income or loss of the corporation will be passed on to the stockholders.
LLC
Tax Breaks: If you register a new business in Massachusetts as an LLC, you can benefit from several types of state and local tax breaks with the most popular being those provided under the Economic Development Incentive Program.
Limited Liability: As an owner of a Massachusetts LLC, you will be able to enjoy limited liability protection quite similar to what a corporation enjoys.
Flow through Taxation: When you register a new company in Massachusetts as an LLC, it can benefit from the process of flow through taxation that will ensure there are no double taxations.
Flexible Profit Distribution: A Massachusetts LLC has the benefit of being able to select different ways of distribution of profits unlike in a partnership where the distribution is 50-50.
Advantage#2: Incentive Programs for Massachusetts Businesses
Once you register a new business in Massachusetts, you will be able to qualify for different types of business incentive programs introduced by Federal, state, and other local agencies. Let’s take a quick look at some of the top programs that your business will benefit from:
Economic Development Incentive Program Credit (EDIPC): The EDIPC program has been created to ensure businesses can leverage tax incentives by stimulating job creation in distressed areas, expand the existing business, create jobs, and have a positive impact on overall economic development. The credit amount can vary from 10% to 40% and counts against the corporate excise liabilities or taxpayers’ income tax. Businesses that qualify for this program can receive an additional credit of almost $5,000 per job created.
Economic Opportunity Area Credit (EOAC): The EOAC is an integral component of the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) and can be leveraged by Individual owned startup company Massachusetts, partnerships, or corporations. The maximum credit in a tax year is 50% of the corporate excise liability or personal income tax although unused credits can be carried over for a period of 10 years.
Apart from these, there are several other business incentive programs like Employer Wellness Program Credit (EWPC), Investment Tax Credit, Research Credit, Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC), and Brownfields Tax Credit (BTC) among others. You can qualify for these programs only after you register a new company in Massachusetts.
Are there any Disadvantages of Incorporating in Massachusetts?
When you register a new business in Massachusetts, you can be rest assured that there is a wide variety of business incentives to leverage but are there any disadvantages? There are few disadvantages that are dependent on the type of business you register. For example, the disadvantage of an LLC is that it will get dissolved when a member dies or if it undergoes bankruptcy. Similarly, incorporation may lead to higher overall taxes. These disadvantages are far outweighed by the benefits and advantages of forming a business in Massachusetts.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has played an all important commercial as well as cultural role in shaping the history of the United States and is home to the oldest institution of higher learning, which is Harvard University in Cambridge. The old economy of the state was dependent primarily on agriculture, fishing and trade but the modern economy shifted first to manufacturing and then to services. As more and more people set up companies in Massachusetts, it became a global leader in engineering, biotechnology, finance, higher education, and maritime trade.
Why Choose Massachusetts for Incorporation?
Whether you are planning to form a corporation or a limited liability company in Massachusetts, it is a known fact that small businesses and entrepreneurs play a key role in boosting the economy of the state. Business incorporation in Massachusetts will provide you with the opportunity to benefit from various incentive programs.
A major benefit that small businesses can take advantage of is the Economic Development Tax Incentives Program. This program includes a variety of tax incentives for corporations and LLC’s. Some of them are:
Massachusetts Investment Tax Credit (ITC): If you set up a company in Massachusetts and qualify for this program then your business can benefit from a three-percent credit to offset your Massachusetts corporate excise tax.
Massachusetts Research & Development Tax Credit: This is a tax incentive offered to small and medium sized enterprises for investment in research and development.
How do you incorporate in Massachusetts?
What is the process of business incorporation in Massachusetts? What type of documentation is required? These are some of the common questions that you will be confronted with if you are planning to establish a new business in the state. The following steps will enable understanding of the entire process:
Business Type
What type of business do you want to set up in Massachusetts? If you want to set up a company in Massachusetts, you can choose to form Profit and Professional Corporations, Limited Partnerships (LP), Voluntary Associations, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP), and Limited Liability Companies (LLC) among others. The type of business entity you want to form can be a domestic or foreign entity. The forms and fee will be different for each type of entity.
Business Entity Name
If you have already identified the type of business you want to set up then the next step towards incorporation in Massachusetts is to identify a name for your business entity. There are 3 steps towards business name formation and they are:
Naming Requirements: The naming requirements for LLCs should be pursuant to 2006 Massachusetts Code – Chapter 156C — Section 3, while that of a business corporation should be pursuant to 2006 Massachusetts Code – Chapter 156D — Section 4.02. The name of each limited liability company must contain words like “Limited Liability Company” or abbreviations like “L.L.C.” or “LLC”. A corporate name must contain words like “corporation”, or “incorporated” or abbreviations like “corp.” or “inc.”
Business name search: You need to search for a business name that is not in use currently. You can conduct a name search here.
Name Reservation: Once you have identified a business entity name, you can reserve the name with the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth for a period of 60 days.
Name Registration: If you are a foreign entity planning to set up a company in Massachusetts and if your name is not available then you will be required to file or submit a DBA form. Application for DBA
Choose a Registered Agent
A domestic business entity as well as foreign entity authorized to transact business in the state of Massachusetts will have to maintain a registered agent pursuant to 2006 Massachusetts Code – Chapter 156D — Section 5.04 for corporations and 2006 Massachusetts Code – Chapter 156C — Section 5 for limited liability companies. We are one of the respected registered agents in Massachusetts and will be responsible for initiating incorporation in Massachusetts through processing of your “Articles of Organization” for domestic corporations and “Certificate of Registration” for foreign corporations.
Articles of Organization and Certificate of Registration
You will be required to submit “Articles of Organization” governed by M.G.L.A. c156D § 2.02; 950 CMR 113.16 if your business is a domestic corporation and a “Certificate of Registration” pursuant to M.G.L.A. c156D § 15.03 (2004); 950 CMR 113.48, if it is a foreign business entity. In order to streamline the process of incorporation in Massachusetts, we can file documents on your behalf through the online process or through an expedited process.
Date Stamped Copies
As a part of the process of company incorporation in Massachusetts, we will ensure, you receive date-stamped and filed copies that verifies the state has filed as well as formed your corporation.
Costs and Fees associated with Massachusetts Incorporation
What would it cost to set up company in Massachusetts? Check Fees here!
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