LLC for Beginners

LLC for Beginners › Massachusetts

Forming an LLC in Massachusetts for the first time

The Massachusetts filing fee is $500. For a beginner the best service is Mainstay Filing: $199 a year covers the filing, agent, EIN application and the annual report, so year 1 comes to $699.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Your Massachusetts checklist

  1. File the Limited Liability Company Certificate of Organization. $500 to the Massachusetts Secretary of State.
  2. Registered agent. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. Mainstay Filing includes it.
  3. EIN. Free from the IRS; included in the application Mainstay Filing prepares.
  4. Operating agreement. Write one even for a single owner. No upcharge at Mainstay Filing.
  5. Annual report. Limited Liability Company Annual Report, every year, $500. Due: On or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization.
Best for beginners

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year + $500 state fee

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Total for the first three years

$2,097 with Mainstay Filing, state fees included. Others: Northwest Registered Agent $1,789; ZenBusiness $1,997; Bizee $1,798; LegalZoom $2,247 (these totals leave out any charge for filing the annual report).

Questions

What is the best LLC service for a beginner in Massachusetts?

Mainstay Filing. First year $699 including the $500 Massachusetts filing fee; $699 in year 2.

Can a beginner file an LLC in Massachusetts without a service?

Yes: file the Limited Liability Company Certificate of Organization with the Massachusetts Secretary of State for $500. Required registered agent: 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.

Sources