Massachusetts corporate filings are part of the necessary steps corporations must take after formation.

Background of Massachusetts Corporation Requirements

There are essential steps a corporation must take after forming a company to remain in compliance with corporate standards, as well as to protect the limited liability provided to the owners.

Following are a few requirements for Massachusetts corporations:

  • Records must be kept at the main office.
  • Corporations with employees must have an EIN.
  • Most businesses must have permits and licenses.

An EIN is suggested even if a company does not have employees because many banks request one upon opening a bank account for the corporation.

Corporations in Massachusetts do not need to provide a state tax identification number, nor a state-level S corporation election, as Massachusetts accepts the election at the federal level.

Introduction of Massachusetts Annual Report

Massachusetts businesses must file a report with the Corporations Division every year.

These reports contain corporation updates such as:

  • Members' and officers' names and addresses
  • Business address
  • Mailing addresses
  • Information pertaining to the registered agent

How to File the Massachusetts Annual Report

There are three different filling options for the annual reports of Massachusetts businesses:

  • Paper form
  • Faxed form
  • Online filing

The form can be located at the Corporations Division website and either delivered in person or by mail with the filing payment.

The form and the Fax Voucher Coversheet acquired from the Corporations Division website can be faxed to 617-624-3891.

For online filing, you must have a customer identification number and PIN to log in to the Corporations Division's online filing system. As soon as the PIN is received via email, the report can be filled out and submitted electronically.

The report is not required to contain original signatures and can be submitted by anyone who has a position of influence.

The following information may be needed to submit the completed annual report:

  • Address:
    Secretary of the Commonwealth Corporations Division
    Attn: Annual Report
    One Ashburton Place, Room 1711
    Boston, MA 02108-1512
  • Phone Number: 617-727-9640
  • Fax Number: 617-624-3891
  • Email Address: [email protected]

Non-profit organizations should use the following information when submitting their annual reports:

  • Address:
    Office of Attorney General
    Non-profit Organizations/Public Charities Division
    One Ashburton Place
    Boston, MA 02108
  • Phone Number: 617-727-2200
  • Email Address: [email protected]

Additionally, charities in Massachusetts must submit their annual report to the attorney general by mail being sure to include Form PC, Federal Form 990, and the filing fee.

Many business owners find that Massachusetts corporations appear more financially attractive, however, the state has heavier corporate taxes that aren't seen at first glance.

The fees applied to annual reports are as follows:

  • Domestic and foreign corporations and PCs are charged $109 to submit their reports via fax or online and $125 to mail the form.
  • Domestic and foreign non-profit organizations pay $18.50 to fax their reports or file online and $15 to file by mail.
  • Domestic and foreign LLCs owe $520 to fax or file online and $500 to submit the report by mail.
  • Domestic and foreign LPs are charged $450 to fax or submit reports online and $500 to mail the report.
  • Charities will pay anywhere from $35 to $2,000 based on their annual revenue.

Due Date of the Massachusetts Annual Report

A Technical Information Release (TIR) was announced by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue to inform companies of the changes made to the filing due dates for tax returns related to partnerships and corporations.

These due dates should be applied as follows:

  • Domestic and foreign corporations and PCs should file two and a half months before the end of the fiscal year.
  • Domestic and foreign LLC's and PLLC's reports are due on the anniversary of the filed date.
  • Domestic and foreign LLPs must file by the end of February.
  • Domestic and foreign LPs can file no later than the anniversary of the filed date.
  • Domestic and foreign nonprofits must file on or before November 1.
  • Charities should file four and a half months after the end of the fiscal year, which is typically May 15.

If a report is filed after the due date, companies must pay an additional $25.

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