Massachusetts issues two different good standing documents. The Corporations Division certificate, $12 for a corporation and $25 for an LLC, shows the company is current on state filings such as annual reports. The Department of Revenue's Certificate of Good Standing shows the business has filed its tax returns and paid what it owes. Many banks want the first; lenders, buyers and state agencies sometimes want both.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionMassachusetts Department of Revenue (Mass.gov)M.G.L. c. 156C, § 70Massachusetts General Laws chapters 156C, 156D, 180 and 110 and the Corporations Division Filing Fees page reviewed November 11, 2026. Confirm current fees with the Secretary of the Commonwealth before filing.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Massachusetts filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of the Commonwealth or its Corporations Division, and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.
- Filed with the Massachusetts Corporations Division
- We track your Massachusetts annual report
- Cited to M.G.L. chapters 156C and 156D
- Talk to a filer: (386) 465-3937
The forks in the road.
Division certificate prices
Corporation good standing $12; LLC good standing $25; LLC certificate of existence $12; corporation legal existence $7.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionNot a tax certificate
The Division notes that its corporate certificate of good standing is not a tax good standing.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionDOR certificate
Requested from the Department of Revenue online; issued when required returns are filed and taxes paid.
Massachusetts Department of Revenue (Mass.gov)Common blocker
Missing annual reports at the Division, or unfiled returns at DOR.
M.G.L. c. 156C, § 70Freshness
Requesters typically want a certificate dated within 30 to 90 days.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionWhat to have ready
- Ask which certificate the requester wants
- Check that annual reports are current
- Check that tax returns are filed
- Order the Division certificate
- Request the DOR certificate if needed
- Send both as PDFs
Massachusetts Good Standing: Corporations Division Certificate vs DOR Tax Certificate
Massachusetts Good Standing: Corporations Division Certificate vs DOR Tax Certificate
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Matching the certificate to the request
A bank opening an account usually wants the Corporations Division certificate. A lender or buyer often adds the Department of Revenue certificate to confirm taxes. Another state's registration office wants the Division certificate, or a legal existence certificate, from your home state. Ask before you order; the wrong one costs a week.
Source: www.sec.state.ma.us
LLC versus corporation pricing
The Division charges $25 for an LLC certificate of good standing and $12 for a corporation's. A plain certificate of existence is $12 for an LLC and a legal existence certificate is $7 for a corporation. Our $99 service fee is the same for each.
Source: www.sec.state.ma.us
When the record is not clean
If annual reports are missing, the Division certificate will not show good standing. File the reports first. For DOR, unfiled returns or balances block the certificate; your accountant may need to file before the request.
Source: www.mass.gov
Using the certificate
Most requesters accept a certificate dated within 30 to 90 days. Order close to the date you need it.
Source: malegislature.gov
Why DOR's certificate exists
The Department of Revenue issues its Certificate of Good Standing and/or Tax Compliance to show that a person or business has filed and fully paid Massachusetts taxes under chapter 62C. DOR lists selling a business, obtaining financing and applying for or renewing a liquor license among the reasons people request one. There is no fee.
Source: www.mass.gov
The corporate tax lien waiver
A corporation selling assets may also need DOR's Waiver of Corporate Excise Tax Lien, which waives the lien on the listed assets before the sale. DOR says LLCs can get one only if they file and fully pay corporate returns, and nonprofits and sole proprietors cannot. Ask early in a sale so the waiver is ready at closing.
Source: www.mass.gov
Timing
DOR says approved certificates are generally mailed within 24 to 48 hours of an online request through MassTaxConnect and can be printed after approval, while paper requests can take four to six weeks. Requests are blocked when there are unfiled returns or unpaid balances, so clear those first.
Source: www.mass.gov
Massachusetts law and Corporations Division rules behind this.
| Topic | Massachusetts rule | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Division certificate prices | Corporation good standing $12; LLC good standing $25; LLC certificate of existence $12; corporation legal existence $7. | Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division |
| Not a tax certificate | The Division notes that its corporate certificate of good standing is not a tax good standing. | Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division |
| DOR certificate | Requested from the Department of Revenue online; issued when required returns are filed and taxes paid. | Massachusetts Department of Revenue (Mass.gov) |
| Common blocker | Missing annual reports at the Division, or unfiled returns at DOR. | M.G.L. c. 156C, § 70 |
| Freshness | Requesters typically want a certificate dated within 30 to 90 days. | Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division |
Related Massachusetts reading.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Massachusetts filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of the Commonwealth or its Corporations Division, and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.
What Massachusetts owners ask us
Usually the same or next business day once the record is current.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionIt shows the seller's taxes are filed and paid, which matters for successor liability.
Massachusetts Department of Revenue (Mass.gov)Yes. The LLC good standing certificate is $25; the corporation's is $12.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionYes. Corp USA prepares and submits your Massachusetts filing with the Corporations Division for you. The state fee is passed through at cost and our service fee is shown separately at checkout, so you never have to work through the state's filing system yourself.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division