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Biz Formation Academy

A plain textbook on LLC paperwork, one state per chapter.

Chapter 1 · Massachusetts

Massachusetts LLC Formation Chapter (2026): 7 Sections and the 3 Best LLC Services

For forming an LLC in Massachusetts in 2026, this chapter recommends Mainstay Filing ($199), Massachusetts Registered Agent.co ($199) and MA Registered Agent.org ($199), ranked from first to last. Read 7 sections to learn the process. The fee at Massachusetts's filing office is $500; afterward the Limited Liability Company Annual Report falls due every year.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Key points

Charge at the filing office $500 See sec.state.ma.us; page last consulted October 2026
Limited Liability Company Annual Report $500 a year Filing period, in the state's words: on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization
What the state collects over three years $1,500 Formation, reports and any minimum tax
Number of sections 7 Each one explained

You will be able to explain

  • Where and how a Massachusetts LLC is filed
  • How to satisfy the resident agent rule
  • What follows formation
  • The recommendations and their reasons

The Massachusetts shortlist

The order rests on five weighted criteria described under how we grade, with three-year cost and paperwork completed on top.

1. Mainstay Filing: best for having someone else file the annual report

Best overall
$199 annually and the $500 state fee

In Massachusetts, Mainstay Filing heads the list: the textbook price of $199 a year includes filing, a resident agent and the annual report, with no change at renewal.

Over three years it costs $200 above Massachusetts Registered Agent.co, in exchange for more of the work done.

The Limited Liability Company Annual Report is part of the service, and Massachusetts's $500 fee is billed at cost.

Price covers

  • Filing delivered to the state
  • Resident agent for the full year
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • The EIN application is part of the price
  • State fee passed through at cost

Advantages

  • No increase at renewal ($199)
  • A flat $199 each year
  • No added charge for the EIN application

Limitations

  • A yearly premium of $100 compared with Massachusetts Registered Agent.co
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. Massachusetts Registered Agent.co: best for a small first payment

Single-state plan
$199 and fees, then $99 each year

Massachusetts Registered Agent.co is ranked second: forming a Massachusetts LLC costs $199 and the agent for year one is part of that price; the agent renews at $99.

Set aside time for the Limited Liability Company Annual Report every year; the price omits it.

Price covers

  • Filing delivered to the state
  • One year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • Then $99 per year
  • The first agent year is free
  • A formation charge of $199

Limitations

  • The price does not cover filing the Limited Liability Company Annual Report
  • An EIN add-on is $99
Visit Massachusetts Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. MA Registered Agent.org: best for owners who prepare their own reports

Single-state plan
$199 and fees, then $99 each year

MA Registered Agent.org is ranked third: forming a Massachusetts LLC costs $199 and the agent for year one is part of that price; the agent renews at $99.

Set aside time for the Limited Liability Company Annual Report every year; the price omits it.

It publishes the same prices as Massachusetts Registered Agent.co.

Price covers

  • Filing delivered to the state
  • One year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • Then $99 per year
  • The first agent year is free
  • A formation charge of $199

Limitations

  • The price does not cover filing the Limited Liability Company Annual Report
  • An EIN add-on is $99
Visit MA Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

All prices in one table

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1 Mainstay Filing $199$199/yr$597 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Massachusetts Registered Agent.co $199$99/yr$397 Visit Massachusetts Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 MA Registered Agent.org $199$99/yr$397 Visit MA Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Company prices as listed on November 13, 2026. Every row also owes the $500 state fee.

Formation in sequence

  1. Section 1

    Select and check the company name

    The records at the Massachusetts Secretary of State show every name in use. Look yours up before preparing any forms, because Massachusetts can refuse a duplicate.

    A spare name saves a second search later.

  2. Section 2

    Arrange the resident agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. A Massachusetts resident, a Massachusetts corporation, or a corporation from another state authorized to do business in Massachusetts. State regulations (950 CMR 112.13) also allow other business entities authorized in Massachusetts.

    The address has to be a street address in Massachusetts. A post office address is not sufficient.

    Any service in the recommended reading provides a resident agent.

    Reference: See sec.state.ma.us; page last consulted October 2026

  3. Section 3

    File alone or pay for assistance

    Filing yourself costs $500. Hiring one of the recommended services adds $199 for preparing the paperwork.

  4. Section 4

    Next comes the Limited Liability Company Certificate of Organization

    This section is the legal act that creates the company: the Limited Liability Company Certificate of Organization goes to the Massachusetts Secretary of State, accompanied by $500 (M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12).

    Reference: See sec.state.ma.us; page last consulted October 2026

  5. Section 5

    Apply for a federal tax identification number

    Approval comes first and the IRS number second. The Mainstay Filing annual price already includes this section.

  6. Section 6

    Put the ownership terms in writing

    A one-member Massachusetts LLC should still have a written operating agreement in its records.

  7. Section 7

    Prepare for the second year

    Calendar entry for the owner: the Limited Liability Company Annual Report, at $500, every year, due on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization.

    Reference: See malegislature.gov; page last consulted August 2026

What each section costs in Massachusetts

EntryPayeeSum
Section on formation State agency$500
Limited Liability Company Annual Report State agency$500 every year
Service fees (optional) Your chosen service$199 initially
State fees across years one to three State agency$1,500

State fees come from the official pages in the bibliography. Over three years they consist of the filing, two reports and, in a few states, a minimum tax.

Why the list is in this order

On chapters the price completes (30% of the ranking) came first, with next.

The Limited Liability Company Annual Report is due in Massachusetts every year; a bundle that files it beat a lower price that leaves the filing with the reader.

Common questions

Which fees does Massachusetts charge when an LLC is formed?

$500, paid to the state. Paid help raises the first-year bill by $199.

Which form creates the LLC?

The document to look for is the Limited Liability Company Certificate of Organization; the Massachusetts Secretary of State receives it.

Is a resident agent required?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

What does Massachusetts require each year?

Submit the Limited Liability Company Annual Report every year; cost $500, deadline on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization.

Can I form the LLC without a service?

A service is optional. Owners may file by paying $500 as long as they appoint a resident agent.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

Choose Mainstay Filing: $199 per year takes care of three chapters at once: formation, resident agent and the annual report. Next are Massachusetts Registered Agent.co and MA Registered Agent.org.

See also

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Footnote for Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: see sec.state.ma.us (August 2026).
  2. Footnote for Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: see malegislature.gov (August 2026).
  3. Footnote for M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12: see sec.state.ma.us (August 2026).
  4. Footnote for Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee, official source: see sec.state.ma.us (October 2026).
  5. Footnote for Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee, official source: see sec.state.ma.us (October 2026).
  6. Footnote for Massachusetts registered agent statute: see sec.state.ma.us (October 2026).
  7. Price reference: Mainstay Filing, Massachusetts service page, November 13, 2026
  8. Price reference: Massachusetts Registered Agent.co, pricing page, November 13, 2026
  9. Price reference: MA Registered Agent.org, pricing page, November 13, 2026