3 Best LLC Services in Massachusetts (2026): Your Questions Answered
For LLC formation services in Massachusetts, we would ask MA Registered Agent.org ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and Massachusetts Registered Agent.co ($199) in 2026, in that order. The costs split two ways: $500 to the state for the filing and $397 to $597 to a service across three years.
Answered by the Ask About LLC editorial team ·
The short answers
What does the state charge?
$500, one time
Every year after
$500 a year
Resident agent
Yes, the law says so
Our pick
MA Registered Agent.org, Mainstay Filing then Massachusetts Registered Agent.co
Prices as of November 13, 2026. The state's own fees are in the checklist below.
What owners want to know
How much money do I need to start?
$500 goes to the state. Hiring a service in year one adds $199.
Add the recurring report and the state's fees reach $1,500 over three years. looked up at sec.state.ma.us in October 2026 to confirm
What do I actually send the state?
The paper that starts the company is the Limited Liability Company Certificate of Organization, and it is submitted to the Massachusetts Secretary of State.
Statute: M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12. looked up at sec.state.ma.us in October 2026 to confirm
Does this state require a resident agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
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.
After formation you owe the Limited Liability Company Annual Report every year ($500). Be ready by this date, per the state: on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization.
A service is optional. State fees alone are $1,500 across three years.
Expect $397 to $597 more over three years if you hire someone.
Why is the list in this order?
On what you pay over three years, worth 33%, MA Registered Agent.org comes out ahead.
We weigh five questions: what you pay over three years (33%), chores the price takes care of (29%), answers on the price page (14%), what happens at renewal (13%) and room to add states (11%).
Pick MA Registered Agent.org over Mainstay Filing and keep $200 across three years.
How was the bottom line figured? Add the filing fee, the next two reports and the minimum tax if the state has one. Anything with no fixed price, a newspaper notice for instance, is described above and kept out of the sum.
Questions people also ask
Who applies for the EIN?
Mainstay Filing includes the EIN application. The others charge extra: MA Registered Agent.org $99; Massachusetts Registered Agent.co $99.
What do the picks cost over three years?
For three years you would pay $397 at MA Registered Agent.org, $597 at Mainstay Filing, $397 at Massachusetts Registered Agent.co, before state fees.
Where do these numbers come from?
Official Massachusetts sources back the state side, and posted company prices back the service side.
Do I have to use a service?
Not at all. The state takes filings from owners directly. A service just saves you time, and it can double as your agent.
Are there yearly state fees?
After formation you owe the Limited Liability Company Annual Report every year ($500). Be ready by this date, per the state: on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization.
Who should I ask first about a LLC service in Massachusetts?
MA Registered Agent.org comes first: forming costs $199, the agent is covered in year one, then $99 a year. Next are Mainstay Filing and Massachusetts Registered Agent.co.
Where did we look this up?
Our answer on Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth rests on sec.state.ma.us, a page we confirmed August 2026 and still point you to
Our answer on Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth rests on malegislature.gov, a page we confirmed August 2026 and still point you to
Our answer on M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12 rests on sec.state.ma.us, a page we confirmed August 2026 and still point you to
Our answer on Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee rests on sec.state.ma.us, a page we confirmed October 2026 and still point you to
Our answer on Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee rests on sec.state.ma.us, a page we confirmed October 2026 and still point you to
Our answer on Massachusetts registered agent statute rests on sec.state.ma.us, a page we confirmed October 2026 and still point you to
MA Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026
Mainstay Filing Massachusetts service page, read November 13, 2026
Massachusetts Registered Agent.co pricing page, read November 13, 2026