Instructions for Filing the Massachusetts LLC Annual Report
Once you establish an LLC in Massachusetts, you are required to file an Annual Report each year.
This requirement affects all LLCs operating in Massachusetts, even if they did not earn any income during the year. Filing an Annual Report is crucial for maintaining compliance and keeping your LLC in good standing with the state.
LLC Annual Report Filing Fee
If you file your Annual Report by mail, the fee is $500.
The filing fee for submitting your Annual Report online is $520, which includes a $20 processing fee in addition to the $500 filing fee. Submitting your report online guarantees processing within 1 to 2 days, while mail submissions often take longer.
Processing Times
The Secretary of State will process your Massachusetts Annual Report within one to two days, regardless of whether you file by mail or online.
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Annual Report Due Date
Your Massachusetts Annual Report is due each year before the anniversary date of your LLC. You can find your LLC's anniversary date by checking the approval date of your Certificate of Organization. Alternatively, use the Business Entity Search to find your LLC, click on its name, and look for the "Date of Organization in Massachusetts" to determine the anniversary date.
For instance, if you established your LLC on April 2, 2024, your Annual Report is due each year before April 2. You can submit the report at any time, as long as it is completed before your LLC’s anniversary on April 2.
1st Annual Report Due Date
Your first LLC Annual Report is not due until the year following the formation of your LLC.
For example, if your Massachusetts LLC was approved on April 2, 2024, your first Annual Report would be due by April 2, 2025. Thereafter, you’ll need to file an Annual Report by April 2 each year. Since your LLC is newly formed, you are not required to file an Annual Report in 2024.
Penalty for Late Annual Reports
If you miss the deadline for filing, your LLC will fall out of good standing and be classified as delinquent. Continued failure to meet this requirement may result in the state dissolving (shutting down) your LLC.
Reminders
The state will send a courtesy reminder to the principal office address a few months before the due date. However, this is a courtesy and may not be provided indefinitely. For this reason, we strongly suggest setting a recurring reminder on your calendar about 90 days before your due date.
How do I file a Massachusetts Annual Report by mail?
Prepare a check or money order for $500, made payable to the "Commonwealth of Massachusetts".
Send your Annual Report and payment to:
Secretary of the Commonwealth
One Ashburton Place, Room 1717
Boston, Massachusetts 02108-1512
Can I file my annual report online?
Yes, you can file your Massachusetts LLC Annual Report either online or by mail.
The following instructions are for online filing, but they will also apply if you choose to file using the paper form by mail.
Since the approval times and filing fees are nearly the same, we recommend choosing the filing method that you find most convenient.
How to File Your Massachusetts LLC Annual Report Online
Access the Massachusetts Online Filing System.
To log in, enter the Customer ID Number and PIN provided in the courtesy reminder mailed to you by the state. If you don't have a Customer ID Number and PIN, email the state at [email protected] with your LLC name.
Next, choose "Annual Report" from the list of filing forms and click "Select" to proceed.
Year
Enter 2024, which is the year you are submitting your Annual Report.
Amendment of LLC Name (Optional)
If you don't need to update your LLC's name (as most people don't), you can skip this section. Simply leave your LLC name as it is in the box.
If you wish to change your LLC's name, check the box labeled "Check if amending entity name." Note that there will be an additional fee for amending the LLC's name on the Annual Report.
If you checked the box, enter the new LLC name in the field provided below.
Address for Maintaining Records in the Commonwealth
This question requires the Massachusetts address for your LLC.
It can be your home address, an office address, or the address of your LLC's Resident Agent (also known as a Registered Agent).
General Character of Your Business
The general purpose of your LLC will be displayed in this field, as recorded in your Certificate of Organization or most recent Annual Report filing.
You can update the general purpose if needed, but most people do not require changes.
You can enter a brief description (e.g., "pizza shop," "real estate investing," "landscaping," etc.). Alternatively, you may use the default language if you prefer to keep it more general.
"Any lawful business activity for which a limited liability company can be organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
Latest Date of Dissolution
In this section, you need to provide the duration of your LLC (how long it will continue to exist) to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.
If you want your LLC to be "open-ended" with no specific end date, leave this field blank.
Most people leave this field blank because it provides the flexibility to close their LLC at any time in the future by filing dissolution paperwork.
If you want your LLC to be automatically dissolved on a specific future date, enter that date here.
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Name and Street Address of Resident Agent (aka Registered Agent)
Enter the exact name of your Resident Agent and their street address (PO boxes are not allowed).
Name and Address of each Manager, if any (if your LLC is Manager-Managed)
If your LLC is manager-managed, you can add, remove, or edit Managers in this section.
Click "Add New Entry to this List" to add a new Manager, or edit the entry for an existing Manager.
If your LLC is member-managed, you can leave this section blank.
Name and Address of Authorized Signer (if your LLC is Member-Managed)
If your LLC is member-managed, you can add, remove, or edit authorized signers in this section.
Click "Add New Entry to this List" to enter the name and address of a person authorized to sign documents on behalf of the LLC. You can also remove or edit existing signers in the list.
If your LLC is manager-managed, you can leave this section blank. If necessary, you can enter the name and address of any additional authorized signers here, aside from the Manager listed above.
Name and Address of Authorized Signer (for Real Estate)
If your LLC engages in real estate transactions, provide the name and address of all Members or Managers authorized to sign real estate documents.
If your LLC is not involved in real estate transactions, you can leave this section blank.
Additional Matters
This section allows you to add additional rules and regulations for your Massachusetts LLC. It is not required and will typically not apply. If this does not apply to you, you can leave it blank.
Filer’s Contact Information
Provide your name, mailing address, and email address. The Secretary of State will use your email to contact you regarding the LLC Annual Report filing.
Delivery Method for Annual Report Notices
You can choose to receive reminders about next year’s Annual Report via email or mail.
If you select email, please enter your preferred email address in the box provided.
Signed Under Penalty of Perjury
Enter your name in the box to sign the Annual Report filing. Then, click the button to accept the filing terms.
Review
Click "Review" to view your Annual Report filing. Verify that the information is correct, then either click "Make Corrections" if changes are needed or "Submit Filing" to proceed.
Payment
Enter your payment information to submit the filing fee.
The cost for online filing of the LLC Annual Report is $520, which includes a $20 expedited processing fee.
How to Confirm Your Annual Report Has Been Filed
Massachusetts processes Annual Reports within 24-36 hours for both mail and online submissions. They do not send receipts or confirmations by mail or email.
To confirm that your Annual Report has been successfully filed online, wait a few days and then check the status of your LLC using the Massachusetts Business Entity Search.
Click on your LLC name and scroll down to the "View filings for this business entity" section. Click on "Annual Report" and then press the "View Filings" button.
We recommend saving or printing a copy of the Massachusetts LLC Annual Report for your records.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Contact Info
If you have any questions, you can reach the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth at 617-727-9640.