Initial Fees and Licenses in Massachusetts

April 13, 2006

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If you're going to operate your business in Massachusetts, when you start up you're going to incur filing fees and licensing fees depending on the type of business you run and your business form (corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership or limited liability company (LLC)).

Corporations. If you're doing business as a domestic corporation (a corporation incorporated in Massachusetts) in Massachusetts, you will be subject to various fees when you start up. The following are some of the payments that may be paid by domestic corporations to the Massachusetts Secretary of State:

Document	Fee
articles of incorporation	1/10 of 1% of total capital. For purposes of this calculation, no par stock and shares of stock with a par value of $1 or less are deemed to have a par value of $1 per share. There is a $275 minimum fee.
articles of consolidation or merger	$250 minimum
articles of amendment	$100 minimum
restated articles of organization	$200 minimum
articles of dissolution	$100

If you're doing business as a foreign corporation (a corporation that is incorporated somewhere other than in Massachusetts) in Massachusetts, you must pay a minimum fee to the Secretary of State of $400 for registering your foreign corporation and a $100 fee for an amendment to the registration or withdrawal. You must also make an annual report of condition and pay the annual $125 fee ($150 if not filed on time) to the Secretary of State.

Limited liability companies. If your company is either a domestic or foreign limited liability company (LLC), you must file the following documents with the Massachusetts Secretary of State.

Document	Fee
certificate of registration	$500
amendment	$100
certificate of merger/consolidation	$100
annual report for all LLCs	$500

Licenses and fees. Massachusetts requires that you obtain a license and pay a fee if you are operating certain types of businesses in the state. Below is a partial list of some of the types of businesses required to obtain a license. Be sure to check with the state to make sure you are complying with the license requirements for your particular profession.