Massachusetts LLC Annual Report

Once you have formed your Massachusetts LLC, you must stay on top of your state’s filing deadlines (annual report) in order to stay in good standing and avoid unnecessary fines or penalties.

This article answers the following questions for a Massachusetts LLC:

1. What is an annual report?
2. How do I file an annual report?
3. Should I use a registered agent service?

What Is an Annual Report?

In Massachusetts, an annual report is a regular filing that your limited liability company must complete every year to update your business information, including:

• Business name and street address
• General character of the business
• Registered agent name and address
• Names and addresses of LLC officials (i.e., members, managers, directors, or officers)

The purpose of this report is to keep your business records up to date with the State of Massachusetts. This allows creditors and other interested parties to look up your business address in case they need to contact you. The government uses this information to track the payment of your LLC state taxes.

Ready to form a Massachusetts LLC? Read our top LLC services review to find the right formation service for you.

How Do I File an Annual Report?

You can file your Massachusetts LLC annual report with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. You must know your state identification number prior to filing, which can be found through a business entity search.

File Your Massachusetts Annual Report

OPTION 1: File Online With the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

OPTION 2: File by Mail, by Fax, or in Person

Fee: $500

Filing Address:
Secretary of the Commonwealth
One Ashburton Place, Room 1717
Boston, MA 02108-1512

Fax: (617) 624-3891

Note: Fax filings must include a cover sheet.

Due Date: Massachusetts LLC annual reports are due every year by the LLC’s anniversary date (i.e., the date when you initially registered your LLC with the state).

Late Filings: Any annual report received after the due date will cause your LLC to become delinquent. Further failure to file an annual report could result in the dissolution of your Massachusetts LLC.

Should I Use a Registered Agent Service?

A registered agent, known in Massachusetts as a resident agent, is a person or business nominated by your company to officially receive and send papers on your behalf. By using a registered agent service, you can ensure that your LLC's reports are always filed on time to the appropriate government agency. Here are the three main advantages to using a registered agent service for your LLC:

1. Avoid late filing penalties: The Secretary of the Commonwealth can dissolve a Massachusetts LLC if it does not file an annual report. A registered agent service will notify you when reports are due, and they can also submit the filing for you for an additional fee.
2. Gain flexibility: A registered agent service can receive and send documents for your LLC during regular business hours so that you don’t have to be on the job from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every week. You can also use a registered agent service to form an LLC in other states where you don't already have an established business presence.
3. Maintain privacy: Using a registered agent service allows you to keep your personal address off of public records, ensuring your privacy. Additionally, if someone sues your LLC, the lawsuit will be served to the registered agent’s address rather than your place of business.

Learn more about getting a Massachusetts resident agent by reading our guide.

Recommended: Northwest provides free registered agent service for the first year as part of their LLC packages.