Lesson 1 · Massachusetts
How to Start an LLC in Massachusetts (2026): a 7-Step Lesson and the 3 Best LLC Services
The short version
In this lesson
- The official fee and form in Massachusetts
- How to meet the resident agent rule
- The recurring state filing
- Which services we would use and why
If you would like help with the filing
1. MA Registered Agent.org: best for Massachusetts LLCs on a tight budget
We would start a new founder with MA Registered Agent.org: formation costs $199 beyond the state fee, and the agent renews at $99.
On three-year cost it beats Mainstay Filing, which is a big part of our grading.
The Limited Liability Company Annual Report is not covered by its price.
What the price covers
- The formation filing
- The first year of agent service
Marks in its favor
- A free first agent year
- The agent renews at $99
- $199 to form
Where it loses points
- The Limited Liability Company Annual Report is left to you
- The EIN application is not included ($99)
2. Mainstay Filing: best for a hands-off first year
Mainstay Filing is a sound second choice because one yearly price of $199 does three lesson steps for you: the filing, the resident agent and the annual report.
On three-year cost it falls $200 behind MA Registered Agent.org.
The Limited Liability Company Annual Report comes with the service, and the $500 state fee is passed along.
What the price covers
- Formation prepared and filed
- Resident agent for twelve months
- Annual report prepared and filed
- The EIN application
- Official fee, at cost
Marks in its favor
- $199 at renewal
- It takes care of the EIN application
- A flat $199 each year
Where it loses points
- Renews $100 higher than MA Registered Agent.org
3. Massachusetts Registered Agent.co: best for a local filer
Massachusetts Registered Agent.co lands in third place, and the reason is clear: formation costs $199 beyond the state fee, and the agent renews at $99.
The Limited Liability Company Annual Report is not covered by its price.
It costs exactly what MA Registered Agent.org does.
What the price covers
- The formation filing
- The first year of agent service
Marks in its favor
- The agent renews at $99
- $199 to form
- A free first agent year
Where it loses points
- The Limited Liability Company Annual Report is left to you
- The EIN application is not included ($99)
Our Massachusetts picks side by side
| # | Service | First year | From year two | Three-year total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MA Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit MA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199/yr | $597 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Massachusetts Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Massachusetts Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
How to form your Massachusetts LLC
-
Step
1Choose the LLC's name
Look up the name on the Massachusetts business register at the Massachusetts Secretary of State first.
Keep a second choice in your pocket.
-
Step
2Appoint a 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.
You can hire any of the graded services for this job.
Where this comes from: Checked against sec.state.ma.us, October 2026
-
Step
3Decide: do it yourself or hire help
Without a service you pay $500. With one of our graded picks you pay $199 more and skip the forms.
-
Step
4Hand in the Limited Liability Company Certificate of Organization
Your formation filing is the Limited Liability Company Certificate of Organization; take it, plus $500, to the Massachusetts Secretary of State (M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12).
Where this comes from: Checked against sec.state.ma.us, October 2026
-
Step
5Ask the IRS for an EIN
With the Massachusetts approval in hand, ask the IRS for an EIN so the LLC can open accounts in its own name. Mainstay Filing treats the EIN application as part of the package.
-
Step
6Draft the operating agreement
The owners sign an operating agreement covering shares, votes and what happens if someone leaves. It stays in your files and is not filed with the state.
-
Step
7Look ahead to year two
Once a year the LLC files the Limited Liability Company Annual Report and pays $500; the due date is on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization.
Where this comes from: Checked against malegislature.gov, August 2026
What you will pay
| Line | Payee | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Forming the LLC | Paid to the state | $500 |
| Limited Liability Company Annual Report | Paid to the state | $500 every year |
| Filing service (optional) | The service | $199 for year one |
| State fees for three years | Paid to the state | $1,500 |
Behind the ranking
edged ahead of on tuition over three years, which counts for 32%.
Paying MA Registered Agent.org for three years adds up to $397, which is $200 below the Mainstay Filing total.
Massachusetts questions
How much does Massachusetts charge to form an LLC?
The official fee is $500. A service from our graded list adds $199 in year one.
Which form creates the LLC?
The Massachusetts Secretary of State receives the Limited Liability Company Certificate of Organization, the filing that forms the company.
Is a resident agent required?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
What does Massachusetts require each year?
Keep an eye on the Limited Liability Company Annual Report: $500, every year, on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization.
Can I form the LLC without a service?
It is allowed. Do the filing on your own for $500 and line up a resident agent as well.
Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?
MA Registered Agent.org, Mainstay Filing and Massachusetts Registered Agent.co, graded from first to last.
Class references
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth is covered in the official page at sec.state.ma.us; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth is covered in the official page at malegislature.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
- M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12 is covered in the official page at sec.state.ma.us; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
- Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee, official source is covered in the official page at sec.state.ma.us; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee, official source is covered in the official page at sec.state.ma.us; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Massachusetts registered agent statute is covered in the official page at sec.state.ma.us; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- MA Registered Agent.org, pricing page, as it appeared on November 13, 2026
- Mainstay Filing, Massachusetts service page, as it appeared on November 13, 2026
- Massachusetts Registered Agent.co, pricing page, as it appeared on November 13, 2026