Massachusetts official-source navigator

Massachusetts registration, tax and organization information

A reviewed collection of links and bounded summaries from official authorities.

Claims reviewed
12
Review state
Passed
Information type
Official-source navigation
Last reviewed
2026-08-11

Official-source navigation only. This collection organizes official Massachusetts sources. Federal, municipal, industry and fact-specific requirements remain controlling. Assumed-name filing is a local city or town clerk handoff, and Atlas does not determine a reader-specific legal or tax outcome. The linked authority remains controlling.

Entity formation

Massachusetts corporations are created through Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

The official guide distinguishes profit, nonprofit, professional and foreign corporation paths and routes Secretary filings.

Open Commonwealth of Massachusetts high volatility

Business certificate or DBA

A Massachusetts business using a name other than its legal name files a business certificate with the city or town where it is located.

The official state guide expressly hands the filing to the relevant city or town clerk and states that the certificate is not a business licence.

Open Commonwealth of Massachusetts high volatility

Foreign qualification

Massachusetts identifies corporations incorporated outside the Commonwealth as foreign entities and directs them to the Secretary’s separate filing requirements.

General Laws chapter 156D, section 15.03 identifies the foreign-corporation registration certificate, its required information and its accompanying existence record.

Open Massachusetts General Court high volatility

State revenue

Massachusetts businesses register applicable state tax accounts through MassTaxConnect.

The official guide describes business registration and adding tax accounts, locations or licences without deciding which accounts apply.

Open Massachusetts Department of Revenue high volatility

State wage withholding

Massachusetts employers use the Department of Revenue wage-withholding framework and MassTaxConnect registration.

The official guide defines the employer withholding role, preserves worker and owner distinctions and routes registration.

Open Massachusetts Department of Revenue high volatility

Unemployment insurance

Massachusetts employers register and report through the Department of Unemployment Assistance employer framework.

The official employer-contributions page explains which Massachusetts employers generally contribute to unemployment insurance and provides contribution and reporting guidance.

Open Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance high volatility

Workers compensation

Massachusetts employers use the Department of Industrial Accidents and Division of Insurance framework for workers compensation coverage.

The official page states the general coverage rule, identifies limited exclusions and exemptions, and explains proof-of-coverage requirements for out-of-state employers.

Open Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents high volatility

New hire reporting

Massachusetts employers report new hires through the Department of Revenue state program.

The official guide identifies covered employer and payor reports and distinguishes new-hire reporting from quarterly wage reporting.

Open Massachusetts Department of Revenue — Child Support Services high volatility

Charity registration

Massachusetts public-charity registration and annual filings are overseen by the Attorney General and submitted through the Charity Portal.

The official forms page identifies initial registration, annual filing and solicitation-certificate requirements and routes filings through the Charity Portal.

Open Massachusetts Attorney General — Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division high volatility

Licenses and permits

Massachusetts routes professional, trade and activity-specific licence and permit questions through the responsible state boards and services.

The official ePLACE portal supports applications and account actions for covered professional licences, permits and certificates administered through participating agencies.

Open Commonwealth of Massachusetts ePLACE high volatility

Recurring compliance

Corporations authorized to transact business in Massachusetts have corporation-specific annual-report obligations under the Secretary’s regulations.

General Laws chapter 156D, section 16.22 identifies which corporations file annual reports, the required report information and the filing period.

Open Massachusetts General Court high volatility

Dissolution and withdrawal

Massachusetts separates closure of Department of Revenue accounts from entity dissolution, cancellation or foreign withdrawal with the Secretary.

The official closure guide identifies the entity-specific Secretary filing and separate DOR and unemployment-account steps.

Open Massachusetts Department of Revenue high volatility