Set the stage to raise capital, attract investors, and unlock growth opportunities with a Massachusetts C corp. Starts at $0 plus MA state fees.
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Starts at $0 +MA state fee and only takes 5-10 minutes
Last Updated: June 20, 2025
*Mr. Cuban may receive financial compensation for his support.
Ready to start a Massachusetts corporation? You can team up with a trusted business partner like us to provide assistance and speed up the formation process.
If you’d like to do it yourself, our step-by-step guide will explain how to form a Massachusetts corporation. We’ll also discuss the nuances of forming a professional corporation, a specialized corporation formed by licensed professionals like physicians and attorneys.
To officially form a corporation in Massachusetts, you must register your company with the commonwealth by filing your Articles of Organization. Before and after registering your corporation, you’ll have to complete some other steps.
We’ll walk you through the steps of the corporation formation process in Massachusetts:
The first step to forming your Massachusetts corporation is deciding on the right name for your new business.
It’s important to choose a name that:
For example, when selecting a name, Massachusetts law prohibits you from using offensive or derogatory wording.
Once you have a few corporate name ideas in mind, you need to make sure your new business name is available. To do that, you can use free LLC name search tool or conduct a search on the Massachusetts corporate name search portal available through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website.
Run all of the names you have in mind through the database to determine if they’re available. Massachusetts requires businesses to have unique names, so if a name is already taken, you’ll need to pick another option.
After you’ve decided on an available corporation name, you’ll need to add a corporation designator to its end. Corporation designators and approved abbreviations include:
So, if you’ve decided to name your business “Karl’s Garage,” you could add “Inc.” at the end to form “Karl’s Garage, Inc.”
If you’re starting a professional corporation, the naming process looks a bit different. For starters, your list of acceptable corporate designators includes “corporation” and “incorporated” and a special option, “professional corporation.” You must use one of those three designators or their abbreviations (“P.C.,” “Corp.,” or “Inc.”).
From there, it’s also essential to check with your licensing authority; it’s not uncommon for industry boards to have specific requirements for the name of a professional corporation. Please check and adhere to those rules as you pick your company name.
Now that you’ve chosen an official name for your Massachusetts corporation, you may wish to reserve your name to ensure no one else registers it before you can get the rest of your paperwork together. You can visit the Reserved Business Names Database on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website, enter your name, and select “reserve.” You can also file by mail. There’s a filing fee for both methods, and names are held for 60 days.
If mailing your application, send the form and payment to:
The Commonwealth of MassachusettsWilliam Francis Galvin Secretary of the Commonwealth One Ashburton Place, Room 1717Boston, Massachusetts 02108-1512
To prevent legal hassles later, check to make sure your desired name isn’t already trademarked or get a trademark of your own. If you want a trademark on the federal level, you’ll need to search on the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) website to see if a trademark already exists. If the name is available, you can register your trademark there.
If you’re interested in registering a trademark with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you can do so online or via mail after confirming the trademark is available. There is a filing fee for this. You may choose to file at the state level only since it is often easier and quicker, but a federal registration can offer broader protection, which is especially useful if you plan on doing business outside of Massachusetts.
Lastly, if your corporation plans to do business under any name other than your official corporation name, you’ll need to secure what’s known as a “doing business as” (Massachusetts DBA) name. First, you’ll go through the name search process to ensure the name is available, and then you’ll fill out the DBA application, which can be submitted online or through the mail.
This form is filled out through your county office and not the commonwealth.
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Next, you’ll appoint a board of directors to your corporation. In Massachusetts, you must appoint at least one director to your board, although there are no limits on how many directors can be appointed. For professional corporations, the requirements are a bit more specific: a majority of the directors need to be properly licensed in the company’s professional service.
Your corporation’s directors will look out for your company’s best interests and uphold its corporate bylaws. There are no requirements set by the commonwealth as to who can serve as a director in Massachusetts.
You’ll also want to decide on an incorporator who will sign your Articles of Organization to officially register your corporation with the commonwealth.
*SPECIAL OFFER: $99 + MA state fees for the first year when you switch to ZenBusiness! Renews at $199/yr, subject to change.
Now, it’s time to select a registered agent for your corporation. Your registered agent is a person or entity who will work on your behalf to accept legal notices and important documents and communications from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In Massachusetts, registered agents must be over 18 and live or hold a business office in Massachusetts. They are also expected to be available (at their office location) during standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Your corporation might want one of your shareholders to serve as your registered agent, which is allowed by law. There are some considerations you’ll want to weigh before choosing someone within your company, though.
Here are a few advantages to using an outside registered agent service:
If you or someone on your board opts to serve as the company’s registered agent, they’ll be responsible for staying at the registered office during all normal business hours, preventing them from taking vacations, meeting up with clients, etc.
If someone within your corporation serves as your registered agent, their operating address would likely be your office location. This means the government could easily serve you sensitive paperwork, such as subpoenas or summons, in front of important clients or potential business partners, injuring your business relationships.
It’s finally time to file your Articles of Organization (called “Articles of Incorporation” in most states). This document legally registers your corporation with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, legitimizing your business. You’re required to file this form before you can start conducting business.
You can file your Articles of Organization form online or through the mail. To submit your application, you’ll need the information below.
You’ll need to pay a $275 fee when filing for up to 275,000 shares and an additional $100 for each additional 100,000 shares or any fraction thereof. You can submit your payment online or mail it to:
The Commonwealth of MassachusettsWilliam Francis Galvin Secretary of the Commonwealth One Ashburton PlaceBoston, Massachusetts 02108-1512
Massachusetts has a dedicated version of the Articles of Organization for a professional corporation, so you’ll want to make sure you get the right version of the form before filing. Much of the information requested by this version is identical to what we’ve mentioned above.
But the real difference comes in the extra paperwork you’ll need to file: the Certificate by Regulatory Board form. This document needs to be signed by your regulatory agency, confirming that your incorporator, officers, shareholders, and a majority of your directors are all appropriately licensed. Some agencies require a filing fee, so check with yours to see if you’ll owe a payment.
Be sure to attach your completed certificate to your Articles of Organization; your filing will be rejected without it.
The next step in setting up your corporation is creating corporate bylaws. Your corporation’s bylaws will explain your company’s managerial structure, operating procedures, and legal regulations. For professional corporations, the bylaws will follow regulations specific to the profession and ensure compliance with state laws governing professional services.
Your corporation’s bylaws will detail your basic managerial structure, legal requirements, and operating parameters. These agreements should be put into writing and kept within your company for shareholders to view.
To establish company bylaws, Massachusetts law requires holding a meeting to establish the following:
The next step is creating a shareholder agreement, which is essentially a written agreement between the shareholders and the corporation. It should be in agreement with the company’s bylaws, but unlike your bylaws document, this contract is a private agreement only viewed by shareholders.
This agreement can go into greater detail regarding how to initiate new shareholders, how to leave shareholder positions, and add more context to financial and shares processes.
Every shareholder in your company should read, agree to, and sign this document.
Every corporation in Massachusetts is legally required to issue shares of stock. You’ll need to make sure the shares issued do not exceed the amount listed on your Articles of Organization. All shares can only be issued once, although they can be sold and traded.
To issue stock, you’ll need capital available. Capital refers to the funding required to form your corporation. The number that you’re required to operate can then be divided across your corporation’s number of shares.
You can choose to sell your shares of stock privately, among shareholders and directors, or publicly on the marketplace. If you decide to go public with your stock, federal law requires your corporation to report quarterly stock statements to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
These statements will detail your stock information and help the government track your stocks to ensure your corporation is compliant with federal law. You can find this form on the SEC website.
Professional corporations have to be a bit more selective about who they issue shares to. That’s because, according to Massachusetts state law, professional corporations may only issue shares to licensed individuals and businesses that are also qualified in your company’s profession. If, for any reason, a shareholder ceases to be licensed, they’ll need to relinquish their shares to a qualified shareholder.
The state of Massachusetts does not require a general business license for your company to operate, but some counties and cities within the commonwealth do. It’s important to look into your county’s and city’s requirements to comply with local laws.
In addition, you may need to secure special licenses or permits depending on your corporation’s industry. This is especially important for professional corporations, which need to have a majority of the directors, all the shareholders, and employees rendering the service all holding the appropriate licensure. You can learn more about specific requirements on the Massachusetts government website.
Licenses and permits can be federal, state, local, and industry-specific, so there’s no central source to look up all the licensing your corporation may require. It’s your responsibility to do the necessary research or hire someone to do it for you.
Next, you’re ready to register with the IRS by requesting an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Your company’s EIN is similar to an individual’s Social Security number — it allows your company to open financial accounts, secure financing, pay taxes, and hire employees, and it identifies your company to the IRS.
Applying for an EIN is free. You’ll visit the website for the IRS and fill out the online form. You’ll receive your EIN right after filing.
You’ll also want to review the tax requirements for your corporation. Instead of a traditional corporate net income tax, Massachusetts has a corporate excise tax. This means you’ll pay a 9.5% tax on your state income and an additional tax on personal property or net worth, whichever is greater, at a rate of $2.60 per $1,000. The minimum corporate excise tax in Massachusetts is $456. Professional corporations in Massachusetts may also have additional tax obligations depending on the services provided. Consult with a tax professional to ensure compliance.
Lastly, you’ll need to prepare to file your first annual report to comply with Massachusetts law. Your first annual report will be due two and a half months after the end of your first fiscal year (as detailed in your Articles of Organization).
You can file online or via mail. The filing fee is $125 by mail or $100 online.
Massachusetts state law requires professional corporations’ annual reports to include a list of the names and addresses of all the shareholders, plus a certificate stating that all of the shareholders are appropriately licensed.
You’re also required to send a copy of your annual report to your industry’s regulatory board. There is no additional fee for this.
The cost to form your corporation in Massachusetts will vary depending on how you file and whether you use an outside consultant.
At a minimum, you’ll be required to pay $275 to set up your Massachusetts corporation (the Articles of Organization). This cost does not include securing a DBA name, any special business licenses or permits you may need, or filing your annual report.
If you want to prevent any headaches, you can partner with a trusted business professional like ZenBusiness. We have formation plans to help you secure a registered agent, streamline the filing process, and provide a template for your corporation’s bylaws.
There are various business types to choose from. When starting a business in Massachusetts, you’ll want to explore all of your options. Many business owners in Massachusetts opt to form a corporation because of the financial and legal protections this business type provides.
Here are some benefits of forming a corporation:
At the same time, here are a few downsides you should be aware of:
You’ll also want to open a business bank account when you form your Massachusetts corporation. Opening a bank account will make it easier to keep your business finances organized.
There are three main types of corporations in Massachusetts: C corporation, S corporation, and nonprofit corporation. Your company will automatically be registered as a C corporation unless you choose differently.
C corporations are considered separate business entities that are taxed at the corporate level. This leads to double taxation for shareholders and owners, who must pay both corporate and individual taxes.
S corporations are considered pass-through entities. Typically, this means they are not taxed at a corporate level, and shareholders only pay taxes on their individual tax returns. However, in Massachusetts, S corporations do not owe income tax but are subject to the corporate excise tax ($2.60 per $1,000 of personal property or taxable net worth, whichever is higher).
If you form a nonprofit corporation and follow nonprofit guidelines, you can apply to be exempt from paying corporate income taxes. Employees of the nonprofit corporation will still pay taxes on their wages.
Navigating the incorporation process can be daunting, but you’re not alone. While we don’t currently offer start-up services for professional corporations, we can help you with our standard business incorporation service. We’ve also got a variety of other services, all here to guide you every step of the way, helping you form your Massachusetts corporation starting at just $0 plus state fees. Let us simplify the journey for you!
Yes, typically, corporations in Massachusetts have more paperwork to keep track of than other business types, such as limited liability companies (LLCs). Corporations have strict reporting requirements and must file annual reports, quarterly stock reports, and organize initial startup documents like bylaws and shareholder agreements.
In Massachusetts, LLCs and corporations are taxed and managed differently. An LLC is viewed as a pass-through entity, which means they’re exempt from double taxation and the shareholders typically only pay taxes on their individual tax returns. LLCs also offer a more flexible business structure and have fewer reporting requirements.
If you decide to change your corporation’s name in Massachusetts, you’ll return to step one to search for an available name. If your new name is available, you’ll need to file Articles of Amendment either online or by mail.
Typically, you’ll need at least three people to form a corporation in Massachusetts — yourself (the incorporator), a director, and a registered agent. You could technically serve as all three roles, which would only require your involvement.
Yes, your Massachusetts corporation can be formed entirely online by following the steps outlined in this guide. You’ll file all forms online through the Massachusetts Corporations Online Filing System.
If you decide to dissolve your corporation, you’ll need to submit your Massachusetts Articles of Voluntary Dissolution. This can be done online or through the mail and has a filing fee.
Yes, foreign corporations can file in Massachusetts. To register as a foreign corporation in Massachusetts., you simply need to fill out an attachment form found on the
. You need to file your paperwork within 10 days of starting to transact business in the state.
Massachusetts has two professional business entity types to choose from. Depending on the nature and scope of your business, you may choose to form a Massachusetts professional corporation (PC) or a professional limited liability company (PLLC).
Professionals from two or more fields may form a PC together with the approval of those professions’ regulatory boards, provided no other MA laws prohibit this.
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Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 850,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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