Massachusetts Certificate of Good Standing

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.

How Do I Obtain a Massachusetts Certificate of Good Standing?

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.

Step 1: Ensure that your Massachusetts business is in compliance.

To be eligible for a Massachusetts certificate of good standing, your company must meet the following state compliance requirements:
Permits and Licenses

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.

The State of Massachusetts website has further information on state licensing requirements.
State levies

Depending on your company activity, you may be required to register for several types of Massachusetts state tax. Sales tax, withholding tax, and Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax are all examples of this.
Reports on a Year

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.

Step 2: Obtain a Massachusetts Certificate of Good Standing.

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.

Is a Certificate of Good Standing Required in Massachusetts?

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