The state filing fee to form an LLC in Massachusetts is $500. Annual maintenance costs include annual report ($500) plus a registered agent. Calculate your total first-year and ongoing costs below.
Massachusetts has one of the highest initial filing fees at $500. The annual report is also $500 — making Massachusetts one of the most expensive states for LLCs in terms of both formation and ongoing costs. Massachusetts is best for businesses that specifically need to operate in Massachusetts, not as a state of convenience.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | $500 | One-time at formation |
| Annual report | $500 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49–$300/year | Annually (at renewal) |
| Operating Agreement | $0–$1,500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
| Business Bank Account | $0–$50/month | Monthly or free |
| Period | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| First Year (state fees + $49 RA) | $1,049 |
| Ongoing Annual (state fees + $49 RA) | $549/year |
| 5-Year Total Cost (+ RA) | $3,245 |
Northwest Registered Agent provides registered agent service in Massachusetts for $49/year — the lowest price in the industry. They also include a free year of registered agent service when you use them to form your LLC. Vanderflip Financial's preferred partner for LLC formation.
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The Massachusetts state filing fee is $500. In the first year, total costs including a registered agent (~$49) and annual state fees ($500) amount to approximately $1,049. Ongoing annual costs are approximately $549/year.
Yes — Massachusetts requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a physical Massachusetts address. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Massachusetts address, or hire a professional service. Professional services (~$49-$300/year) keep your personal address off public records and ensure you receive legal documents even when you're unavailable.
Annual report: $500. Plus registered agent service (~$49/year). Total ongoing: approximately $549/year.
For most small businesses that operate in Massachusetts, forming in Massachusetts is the right choice. If you form in Delaware or Wyoming and do business in Massachusetts, you'll likely need to register as a foreign LLC in Massachusetts — paying fees in both states. Delaware and Wyoming make sense for businesses seeking venture capital, planning complex ownership structures, or operating entirely online without a home state nexus.
Standard LLC formation in Massachusetts typically takes 5–15 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee and can reduce processing to 1–3 business days in most states. Online filing through the Secretary of State's website is the fastest option. Using a registered agent service like Northwest can also expedite the process.