Massachusetts Foreign Corporation Filing and Renewal Fees Eric Shrum, June 8, 2023June 8, 2023 This article provides valuable information regarding the filing and renewal fees for foreign corporations in Massachusetts. Table of Contents Toggle Registering a Foreign Corporation in Massachusetts: A Free GuideThe Cost of Registering a Foreign Corporation in MassachusettsProcessing Time for Massachusetts Certificate of AuthorityMassachusetts Registered Agent Requirements for Foreign CorporationsFiling the Massachusetts Certificate of Authority: What You Need to KnowMassachusetts Annual Reporting Requirements for Foreign CorporationsObtaining a Foreign Qualification for Your Corporation Registering a Foreign Corporation in Massachusetts: A Free Guide Foreign companies looking to do business in Massachusetts must register with the state and pay the necessary fees. The Filing Fee for Foreign Companies without Designation is $400. If you have a Designation, the Statement Filing Fee is $100. There is also a License Renewal Fee of $500 due each year. Risk Retention Groups and Reinsurers have additional fees. Processing times vary, but expedited processing is available for an additional fee. The process involves submitting forms and documents, including a Massachusetts Certificate of Good Standing from your state of origin. Once approved, you must appoint a resident agent in Massachusetts. Renewal must be done annually. Don’t let the fees or steps deter you, use our free guide to make the process simple and efficient. The Cost of Registering a Foreign Corporation in Massachusetts Foreign corporations seeking to do business in Massachusetts must pay a $500 filing fee to the state. The fee is non-refundable and must be submitted along with the corporation’s certificate of good standing from their state of incorporation. Foreign corporations are also required to pay a $125 annual report fee to maintain their qualification to do business in Massachusetts. The fee is due by the 15th day of the third month following the close of the corporation’s fiscal year. Renewal applications can be submitted online, by mail, or fax. Processing times vary by method of submission, but it typically takes 3-5 business days for the state to verify and process the application. Processing Time for Massachusetts Certificate of Authority The processing time for a Massachusetts Certificate of Authority can vary depending on the method of filing. If you file by mail, it can take up to 5-7 business days to process. If you file online, it can take up to 2-3 business days. To ensure a smooth process, make sure you have completed all necessary steps and have included the required forms and fees. The filing fee for a Massachusetts Certificate of Authority is $125.00. There may also be additional fees for certain designations and statements. Foreign companies without designation or those designated as risk retention groups, fraternal benefit societies, or health maintenance organizations must also pay a $500 license renewal fee every year. Foreign companies with designation must pay a $1,000 license renewal fee. Make sure to check the due dates for renewals and filings to avoid any penalties. You can file by mail, fax, or online. Verification of your Massachusetts Certificate of Authority can also be obtained by mail or fax. By following these steps and staying organized, business owners can avoid any problems while filing for their Massachusetts Certificate of Authority. Massachusetts Registered Agent Requirements for Foreign Corporations Foreign corporations looking to do business in Massachusetts must appoint and maintain a registered agent in the state. The registered agent must be a person or company with a physical address in Massachusetts and be available during normal business hours to receive legal documents on behalf of the foreign corporation. Massachusetts charges a $125.00 Statement Filing Fee for foreign corporations with designations, and additional fees for certain types of businesses such as Health Maintenance Organizations and Fraternal Benefit Societies. Renewal dates vary depending on the type of business, and filings can be done online or by mail. It’s important to stay on top of filing and renewal dates to avoid any issues or penalties. Filing the Massachusetts Certificate of Authority: What You Need to Know When filing a Massachusetts Certificate of Authority, foreign companies with designation must pay a filing fee of $500. This qualification allows the company to conduct business in the state. To renew, the company must pay the same fee every year. Reinsurers must pay a $2,000 fee and a $1,000 renewal fee. Lines of business also impact fees. For example, an alien person must pay $125.00 for each type of insurance they offer. Business owners must complete the form 54G and provide a voucher order to create an account. Presidents of the company must sign all applications and verification. A good standing certificate must be included for a state corporation or LLC. Nonprofit corporations must include their articles of organization or corporation certificate of non profit. Lastly, a resident agent must be appointed in the state. Massachusetts Annual Reporting Requirements for Foreign Corporations Requirement Description Filing Fee Renewal Fee Annual Report A foreign corporation must file an annual report with the Secretary of State’s Office. $125 $125 Statement of Change of Registered Agent or Office A foreign corporation must file a statement of change if there is a change in the registered agent or office. $100 N/A Amendment to Certificate of Authority A foreign corporation must file an amendment if there is a change to the information on the certificate of authority. $100 N/A Obtaining a Foreign Qualification for Your Corporation To obtain a foreign qualification for your corporation in Massachusetts, you’ll need to submit a 54G form along with a filing fee of $125.00. If you have any questions or encounter a problem during the process, you should contact the state corporation division for assistance. Once you’ve obtained your foreign qualification, you’ll need to renew your company annually and pay the renewal fee. To do so, you can submit a renewal form and payment via mail or online through your account. You may also be required to provide additional documentation, such as a good standing certificate, LLC operating agreement, or proof of insurance fees. Keep in mind that fees and requirements may vary depending on the type of corporation, whether it’s a nonprofit corporation, foreign LLC, or otherwise. Eric ShrumWas this article helpful?YesNo Business Licenses And Permits