Form Your Massachusetts LLC
Build your business in the Bay State with access to the world's leading biotech hub, top universities, and a thriving innovation ecosystem
Filed in Massachusetts
The Bay State · MA
- State filing fee$520
- Processing time1-2 business days online; ~4-5 business days by mail
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$500 — due Anniversary date of formation
- State tax rate8% corporate excise tax
- Expedited option24 hours (+$20)
Form your Massachusetts LLC — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
- Encrypted storage
- 256-bit SSL
- All 50 states
- 30-day money-back
Everything to launch your Massachusetts LLC
Free formation means you pay only the $520 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Certificate of Organization filing
We prepare and submit your Certificate of Organization to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Registered agent
Required in Massachusetts — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Operating agreement
Professionally drafted operating agreement — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an LLC in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is a global leader in innovation, biotechnology, and education. While costs are higher, the state's unmatched access to talent from Harvard, MIT, and other top universities, combined with a robust venture capital ecosystem, makes it ideal for tech and biotech startups.
World-class innovation ecosystem centered around Boston and Cambridge
Home to Harvard, MIT, and dozens of top research universities
Leading biotech and life sciences hub in the nation
Strong venture capital and startup funding availability
Highly educated and skilled workforce
Access to major Northeast markets
Key features of a Massachusetts LLC
- World-class biotech and innovation ecosystem
- Higher filing fees ($500 formation + $500 annual)
- Access to top university talent
- Leading venture capital market
Major industries in Massachusetts
Form your Massachusetts LLC in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 1-2 business days online; ~4-5 business days by mail.
- 01
Choose Your LLC Name
Your name must include 'Limited Liability Company,' 'LLC,' or 'L.L.C.' Check availability through the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's business search.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent
Massachusetts requires a registered agent (resident agent) with a physical address in the state to receive legal documents.
- 03
File Certificate of Organization
Submit your Certificate of Organization to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. The filing fee is $500. Online filing is available.
- 04
Create an Operating Agreement
Massachusetts does not legally require an Operating Agreement, but having one is strongly recommended to define member roles and LLC operations.
- 05
Obtain an EIN
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for tax filing, banking, and hiring employees.
- 06
File Annual Report
Massachusetts LLCs must file an annual report on or before the anniversary date of formation. The filing fee is $500.
Massachusetts LLC costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Massachusetts LLC requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Massachusetts LLC in 2026.
- File Certificate of Organization with Secretary of the Commonwealth
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Massachusetts address
- Create an Operating Agreement (recommended)
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File annual report by anniversary date ($500)
- Register for Massachusetts taxes
Filing information
- Formation document
- Certificate of Organization
- Filing agency
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
- Registered agent
- Required
- Operating agreement
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $30 (60 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $520 Massachusetts state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, operating agreement, and compliance.
Starter
- Certificate of Organization filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Massachusetts)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Operating agreement
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Massachusetts LLC questions, answered
Common questions about forming an LLC in Massachusetts. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Massachusetts?
The state filing fee is $520, and the annual report is also $500, making Massachusetts one of the more expensive states. Our service fee starts at $100 plus the state fee.
Why is Massachusetts good for biotech companies?
Massachusetts is the #1 biotech hub in the world, centered around Cambridge and Boston. The state offers proximity to Harvard, MIT, and major research hospitals, abundant venture capital, and a deep talent pool in life sciences.
When is the Massachusetts annual report due?
The annual report is due on or before the anniversary date of your LLC's formation. The filing fee is $500.
Can I form a Massachusetts LLC online?
Yes, you can file your Certificate of Organization online through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website.
What taxes do Massachusetts LLCs pay?
Massachusetts has an 8% corporate excise tax. Single-member LLCs are typically taxed as pass-through entities. Massachusetts also has a 5% base personal income tax rate, with a top rate of 9% (the 5% base plus the 4% surtax on income over ~$1M).
Is an Operating Agreement required in Massachusetts?
No, Massachusetts does not legally require an Operating Agreement. However, creating one is strongly recommended to define your LLC's management structure and protect members' interests.
Massachusetts government filing resources
Filing fees for common LLC services
Official Massachusetts state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$30.00 flat for all corporation/entity types.
VARIES BY ENTITY TYPE: $12 for a domestic or foreign corporation.
Learn moreVARIES BY DOCUMENT: Certified copy of Articles of Organization = $12 flat.
$6.00 per document for an apostille (Hague Convention countries) or certification/authentication (non-Hague).
$500 confirmed on the official Corporations Division filing-fees page and the application form.
Learn moreNo fee to register as a sales/use tax vendor in Massachusetts — MassTaxConnect is DOR's free online application.
Learn more$100.00 to amend the LLC Certificate of Organization (e.g., name or other changes).
Learn more$100.00 base fee confirmed on the official SEC Corporations Division fee schedule ('Certificate of Cancellation — $100.00').
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Massachusetts LLC
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
Form your company in any state
Pick a state to see its filing fee and processing time — then start in minutes.
Ready to form your Massachusetts LLC?
Formation is free — you pay only the $520 Massachusetts state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 1-2 business days online; ~4-5 business days by mail.
No hidden fees · 100% accuracy guarantee · 30-day money back · All 50 states