Massachusetts Corporations: Annual Report Filing Reminder

March is an important compliance month for Massachusetts corporations. If your business is organized as a corporation and operates in Massachusetts, your annual report filing deadline may be approaching.

Failing to file on time can lead to penalties, loss of good standing, and administrative dissolution. A quick check now can save significant headaches later.

Below is a clear overview of who must file, what information is required, how to file, and what happens if you miss the deadline.

Who Must File an Annual Report in Massachusetts

Both domestic and foreign for-profit corporations registered in Massachusetts are required to file an annual report with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.

The filing deadline is based on your corporation’s fiscal year.

• Corporations must file within 2½ months after the close of their fiscal year

• Most corporations operate on a calendar year

• Calendar-year corporations with a December 31 year-end must file by mid-March

If your corporation uses a non-calendar fiscal year, your due date will differ.

Information Required in the Annual Report

The annual report is not a financial filing, but it does require accurate and up-to-date corporate information. Corporations should be prepared to confirm or update:

• Legal name of the corporation

• Principal office address

• Names and business addresses of directors

• Names and business addresses of principal officers

• Registered agent name and address

• Fiscal year end

This filing is also an opportunity to correct outdated information that may be publicly visible in the Commonwealth’s records.

How to File

Annual reports are filed with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth and can be submitted:

• Online through the Corporations Division filing system (preferred and fastest), or

• By mail, using the appropriate annual report form

Online filings are typically processed more quickly and provide immediate confirmation.

Filing Fees

As of 2025, the filing fees are:

• $125 for domestic for-profit corporations

• $125 for foreign for-profit corporations authorized to do business in Massachusetts

Fees are paid at the time of filing.

What Happens If You Do Not File

Missing the annual report deadline can have serious consequences, including:

• Late fees and penalties

• Loss of good standing with the Commonwealth

• Administrative dissolution or revocation

• Difficulty entering contracts, securing financing, or closing transactions

• Additional time and expense to reinstate the corporation

For many businesses, compliance issues only surface during a transaction or audit, when they are most disruptive and costly to fix.

We Can Help

If you are unsure of your filing deadline, need help confirming required information, or want assistance completing and submitting your annual report, Trident Legal is happy to help.

We regularly support businesses with ongoing corporate compliance so owners can focus on operations instead of paperwork.

📩 Contact us to confirm your filing requirements or to handle your annual report on your behalf.