A Massachusetts certificate of good standing confirms that a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation was founded lawfully and is being properly maintained.
We will explore the qualifications for good standing and how to get a certificate of good standing in Massachusetts in our Certificate of Good Standing Massachusetts guide.
You may request your Massachusetts certificate of good standing from the Department of Revenue.
There are two major processes involved in obtaining your certificate of good standing:
1. Maintain your LLC’s compliance
2. Request a certificate of good standing.
What exactly is a good standing certificate? A certificate of good standing is a state document that confirms your company was created lawfully and has been properly maintained.
To run a company in Massachusetts, you must adhere to federal, state, and municipal licensing requirements. Regulations such as health permits and construction permits are examples of this.
Every Massachusetts LLC and company is required to submit an annual report. This report confirms the company’s fundamental facts, such as its primary office location and registered agent.
Every year, on or before the anniversary date of the business’s founding, the report must be submitted with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. This may be done online or in the mail. The filing fee for companies is $125 and $500 for LLCs.
Once your company is in good standing with the state, you may apply for a Massachusetts certificate of good standing from the Department of Revenue. This may be done through email, mail, or fax.
While you don’t always require a certificate of compliance to manage a company in Massachusetts, there are a few situations when you could. These are some examples:
Purchasing commercial insurance
Applying for commercial loans
Establishing a business checking account
Getting a business license in another state