How to Start an LLC in Massachusetts (2026)

Q: How much does it cost to start an LLC in Massachusetts?

The Certificate of Organization costs $500 ($520 filed online) with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Your EIN is free. The catch is the annual report, which is another $500 every year. Massachusetts is one of the most expensive states for an LLC.

Q: Why is a Massachusetts LLC so expensive?

Massachusetts charges a $500 formation fee and a $500 annual report fee, both far above the national norm (many states charge $50 to $150). There's no way around it if you operate in Massachusetts, but it doesn't change the value of the liability protection. Just budget $500 up front and $500 a year.

Q: When is the Massachusetts annual report due?

The Massachusetts annual report is due each year by the anniversary date of your LLC's formation, and it costs $500. It's filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Missing it puts your LLC out of good standing.

Q: What is a resident agent in Massachusetts?

A resident agent is Massachusetts's term for a registered agent: the person or service, with a Massachusetts street address, that accepts legal documents for your LLC. You can be your own resident agent if you have a Massachusetts address, or use a commercial service.

Last updated: July 21, 2026

To start a Massachusetts LLC, file the Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of the Commonwealth for $500 ($520 online), name a resident agent, and get a free EIN. Be ready for the real cost: Massachusetts also charges a $500 annual report every year, making it one of the most expensive states for an LLC. Plan for $500 up front and $500 a year.

Quick note: we're operators, not attorneys or accountants. This is general educational info, not legal or tax advice. Confirm current Massachusetts requirements with the state and a licensed pro before filing.

Massachusetts is one of the priciest states to run an LLC, and you deserve to know that before you file, not after. Here's the honest, plain-English process, written for people starting something real like a courier route.

Know this before you file Massachusetts is expensive: $500 to form and $500 every year for the annual report, versus $50 to $150 in most states. There's no way around it if you operate here. It doesn't reduce the value of the liability protection, but budget for it so it isn't a shock.

How to start a Massachusetts LLC in 6 steps

Name it, name a resident agent, file the Certificate of Organization ($500), write an operating agreement, get a free EIN, then file the $500 annual report each year.

Name your Massachusetts LLC

Your name must be distinguishable from other Massachusetts businesses and include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company." Search it on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's site first so your filing isn't rejected, and grab the matching domain.

Name a resident agent

Massachusetts calls the registered agent a "resident agent": the person or service, with a Massachusetts street address, that accepts legal mail for your LLC. You can be your own resident agent, or use a service to keep your home address off the public record. Northwest includes resident-agent service free the first year with their $39 filing.

File the Certificate of Organization

Massachusetts's formation document is the Certificate of Organization. File it with the Secretary of the Commonwealth and pay the $500 fee ($520 filed online). Online is fastest.

Write an operating agreement

Massachusetts doesn't require one, but create it anyway. It sets out ownership and management, backs up your liability protection, and banks usually want to see it. A filled-in template covers most single-owner courier businesses.

Get a free EIN from the IRS

Get your EIN free at irs.gov in a few minutes. You need it for a business bank account and taxes. Never pay a third party for one.

File the annual report

Every Massachusetts LLC files a $500 annual report by its anniversary date each year, through the Secretary of the Commonwealth. It keeps your LLC in good standing. Set a reminder, because at $500 a missed filing is an expensive problem to unwind.

Massachusetts LLC cost breakdown

$500 to form and $500 a year. One of the highest-cost states, so go in with eyes open.

Item	Cost	Required?
Certificate of Organization	$500 ($520 online)	Yes
EIN	Free from the IRS	Yes (free)
Resident agent service	$0 (yourself) to $300/yr	No
Annual report	$500/yr (by anniversary date)	Yes

Massachusetts figures as of 2026. Verify current amounts at sec.state.ma.us before filing.

Rather have it filed for you? Northwest will form your Massachusetts LLC for $39 + the $500 state fee and act as your resident agent the first year, keeping your home address off the public record. See the $39 formation service → Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Setting up to run courier routes in Massachusetts?

The LLC is step one. Our course covers the rest: insurance and certifications, the business bank account, and how to find routes and win contracts with Massachusetts clinics, labs, and hospitals.

Start Your 7-Day Free Trial

Then $29/month. Cancel anytime.

Massachusetts LLC FAQs

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Massachusetts?

$500 ($520 online) for the Certificate of Organization. Your EIN is free. The bigger cost is the $500 annual report every year, which makes Massachusetts one of the most expensive states for an LLC.

Why is a Massachusetts LLC so expensive?

It charges a $500 formation fee and a $500 annual report, both well above the national norm. There's no workaround if you operate here, so just budget $500 up front and $500 a year.

When is the Massachusetts annual report due?

By the anniversary date of your LLC's formation each year, for $500, filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Missing it puts your LLC out of good standing.

What is a resident agent in Massachusetts?

It's Massachusetts's term for a registered agent: the person or service, with a Massachusetts address, that accepts legal documents for your LLC. You can be your own, or use a commercial service.

← Back to How to Start an LLC (main guide)