Doing Business in MA FAQ

The Healey-Driscoll Administration, Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) and Team Massachusetts are ready to help! We have a lot of information on how to run your business. Below are common questions and relevant webpages related to starting and operating your business here in Massachusetts.

Cannot find what you need below? Sign up for the Business Front Door, where we can offer personalized support and point you in the right direction! 

Starting or Moving a Business

• What are the steps to start a business in Massachusetts?
  To start a business in Massachusetts, choose a business structure, register with the state, and file for the necessary permits and taxes. You may also need a business certificate (DBA) and an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

  For more details, visit Starting a Business in Massachusetts.

• How do I file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth?
  If your business requires state registration, visit the “Filing by Subject” page on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website to complete the process by following the steps for the business structure (“subject”) you’ve chosen. Sole proprietors and general partnerships may be exempt.

  For more details, visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth for general information or Online Filing Help for instructions for filing online.  

• Do I need a business certificate (DBA)?
  If your business operates under a different name from its legal business name, you must apply for a business certificate (sometimes called a DBA or “doing business as” name) with the town or city where your business is located.

  For more details, visit the “check your city or town requirements” section of the Starting a Business in Massachusetts page.

• What are workers’ compensation insurance requirements?
  All employers in Massachusetts, regardless of the number of employees, must carry workers’ compensation insurance. This also applies if you’re going to be an employee of your own business.

  For more details, visit Workers’ Compensation Insurance Requirements to find out who can get an exemption and what fines you may face for not having coverage.

• Can you support my expansion to Massachusetts?
  Yes! Enter the Business Front Door and Team MA will help you explore all the resources we have to support your expansion here. 

Business Taxes

• What taxes apply to businesses in Massachusetts?
  Businesses may be subject to various state taxes, including income, sales, and corporate taxes.

  For more details, visit Business Taxes for a general overview.

• Where can I find tax information for businesses new to Massachusetts?
  Certain steps must be taken even before registering your business with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR). Following these pre-registration steps, businesses new to Massachusetts are responsible for registering, filing, and paying various types of business taxes.

  For more details, visit Tax Information for Businesses New to Massachusetts to learn about choosing a business structure, instructional videos, pre-registration checklist, types of taxes, employer obligations, and other common questions and useful resources.

• How do I register my business with MassTaxConnect to file and pay taxes?
  To collect and pay taxes to the state, you'll need to create a MassTaxConnect account. You can pay business taxes to the Department of Revenue (DOR) online through MassTaxConnect.

  For more details, visit Register Your Business with MassTaxConnect to review registration steps.

• What are my tax obligations specific to my business structure?
  Different types of businesses (sole proprietors, partnerships, etc.) are all taxed via the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR); however, different tax requirements apply.

  For more details, visit Department of Revenue Tax Obligations by Business Type.

• What are my business tax obligations as an employer in Massachusetts? 
  These may range from obtaining workers' compensation insurance to fulfilling employer obligations for state employment security taxes. This also includes registering your business with MassTaxConnect and responsibilities related to various tax types, such as withholding of wages.

  For more details, visit Employer Tax Obligations for a comprehensive list. 

• Where can I learn more about different business tax types (sales and use, withholding, corporate excise, etc.) in Massachusetts?
  The Department of Revenue has prepared guides to provide general information about Massachusetts tax laws and Department of Revenue policies and procedures as it pertains to businesses.

  For more details, visit Guides for Business Taxes to review the guides for specific types of taxes. 

• What tax credits are available to businesses in Massachusetts?
  Massachusetts offers various tax credits, such as investment tax credits and research and development credits.

  For more details, visit Massachusetts Business Tax Credits to learn about all the available business tax credits. Also, explore the Business Front Door Resource page for more information on available resources.

Professional Licenses, Permits, and Certificates

• What professional licenses and permits are required to operate my business in Massachusetts?
  For certain professions, you need a license to practice in Massachusetts. There are different state licensing requirements depending on the field of work (health care, personal care, entertainment, etc.)

  For more details, explore the full list of Professional Licenses & Permits to see what applies to your business or if you can’t find the relevant license, type in the search bar.

• How do I check and renew an occupational license?
  You can check if a business or individual has a valid license or permit through the Division of Occupational Licensure’s online portal. To renew your occupational board license, use the ePLACE portal. 

  For more details, visit the Check a License or Renew Your License pages to access the online portals for each of these actions, respectively.   

Business Regulations and Standards

• Where can I learn more about business regulatory agencies in Massachusetts?
  Massachusetts has various regulatory agencies by industry, covering everything from banking and insurance to telecommunications.

  For more details, visit Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) to learn more and access the webpages for each regulatory agency.

• Do I need a business certificate (DBA)?
  If your business operates under a different name from its legal business name, you must apply for a business certificate (sometimes called a DBA or “doing business as” name) with the town or city where your business is located.

  For more details, visit the “check your city or town requirements” section of the Starting a Business in Massachusetts page.

• What is the Department of Revenue (DOR) Certificate of Good Standing and how do I request one?
  This is proof that your business is in good tax standing and complies with Massachusetts tax obligations. It is available through the Department of Revenue. 

  For more details, visit FAQs: DOR Certificate of Good Standing or Corporate Tax Lien Waiver to learn how to request proof your business is in good tax standing through a DOR Certificate of Good Standing or Waiver of Corporate Excise Tax Lien via MassTaxConnect.

• How do I request a Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Certificate of Compliance?
  Businesses can secure a proof of good standing with the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) by requesting a certificate of compliance through your “Unemployment Services for Employers” account.

  For more details, visit Request a Certificate of Compliance to learn about the criteria for requesting a certificate and steps to complete the request. 

Workforce Support and Compliance

• Where can I find recruiting and workforce support for my business?
  MassTalent offers no-cost tools to recruit talent, prevent layoffs, and upskill your workforce, plus tap into programs that deliver a pipeline of skilled workers like Registered Apprenticeship for in-demand jobs.

  For more details, visit Attract, Retain, and Develop Your Workforce for workforce development resources and tools to help Massachusetts employers recruit, grow, and sustain a strong workforce.

• What state programs and resources related to labor standards are available in Massachusetts?
  Program offerings cover topics, such as prevailing wage, minimum wage, placement / staffing, and workplace safety and health, among others. Key resources include reporting a workplace accident, workplace safety consultations, and lead / asbestos licensing, among others.

  For more details, visit the Department of Labor Standards webpage to view a full list. 

• Where can I learn about my obligations as an employer under Paid Family or Medical Leave law?
  The Department of Family and Medical Leave oversees and administers the Commonwealth’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. If you employ Massachusetts employees, you're required to comply with the PFML law.

  For more details, visit Paid Family and Medical Leave Information for Massachusetts Employers to learn about the law, how to make contributions, and other employer obligations. 

• What are workers’ compensation insurance requirements?
  All employers in Massachusetts, regardless of the number of employees, must carry workers’ compensation insurance. This also applies if you’re going to be an employee of your own business.

  For more details, visit Workers’ Compensation Insurance Requirements to find out who can get an exemption and what fines you may face for not having coverage.

• What is the unemployment insurance program?
  The unemployment insurance (UI) program provides temporary income protection, training, and professional support during periods of unemployment to eligible Massachusetts workers. Employers fund the UI program and serve as a critical resource for unemployed workers seeking UI benefits.

  For more details, visit, Unemployment Insurance for Employers.

• How do I request a Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Certificate of Compliance?
  Businesses can secure a proof of good standing with the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) by requesting a certificate of compliance through your “Unemployment Services for Employers” account. 

  For more details, visit Request a Certificate of Compliance to learn about the criteria for requesting a certificate and steps to complete the request.

Siting and Permitting for a Facility

• How do I apply for a building permit and how do I know if I need a variance?
  Building permit application forms for state-owned buildings and all other private projects are available online.

  For more details, visit Building Permit Applications to access forms for each type of project and Applying for a Variance to review the steps to request a variance.

• What do I need to know about environmental permitting and reporting?
  The Department of Environment Protection provides information on how to apply for permits and approvals, certify environmental compliance, and submit required periodic reports. 

  For more details, visit MassDEP Permitting & Reporting to access online filing or download the forms you need to meet your obligations under state environmental laws and MassDEP regulations.

• Where can I find local zoning information and how do I request an exemption?
  Cities and towns are permitted by the state legislature to pass laws and regulations to govern local matters, define administrative procedures, and prohibit certain activities. These are called ordinances and by-laws, and they apply only to the city or town in which they are adopted

  For more details, visit Massachusetts Cities and Towns Ordinances and Bylaws to check requirements for the municipality where your business is located and Checklist for Filing Zoning Exemptions for steps to file local zoning exemptions. 

Transportation or Utility Infrastructure

• Where can I find transportation laws and regulations in Massachusetts?
  Transportation laws and regulations, such as industrial rail access program or billboard restrictions, are compiled by the Trial Court Law Libraries.

  For more details, view Code of Massachusetts Regulations Title 700 for Department of Transportation regulations.  

• Who conducts the transportation review of private development and what is the purpose?
  Reviews are done by the Public/Private Development Unit (PPDU) whose mission is to encourage economic development in the Commonwealth while preserving and enhancing the state transportation system. PPDU facilitates the environmental review and permitting of the transportation-related elements of private development projects in need of access to the state transportation system. 

  For more details, visit MassDOT Private Development Review for an overview of the process.

• What services are offered by the Department of Public Utilities?
  Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has several divisions (Rail Transit, Siting, etc.) within the department that each offers specific services to support utilities in the Commonwealth. 

  For more details, visit DPU Services to learn more.

• How can businesses work with the municipalities for infrastructure improvements?
  The MassWorks Infrastructure Program is a competitive grant program that provides the largest and most flexible source of capital funds to municipalities and other eligible public entities primarily for public infrastructure projects that support and accelerate housing production, spur private development, and create jobs throughout the Commonwealth. 

  For details, visit MassWorks Infrastructure Program to learn more.  

Selling to the State

• Where can I learn about selling my products or services to the state?
  The Operational Services Division (OSD) helps companies do business with the Commonwealth by providing guidance on how to become a contractor.

  For more details, visit Sell to the State to learn about public procurement of goods and services and next steps to contract with the state.

• How do I find opportunities to sell to the state?
  A wide range of procurement portals and resources are available to companies seeking to do business with state, municipal, quasi-public and other customers. 

  For more details, visit Bidding Opportunities for an overview of relevant procurement resources and COMMBUYS to access the official procurement record system for the Commonwealth.

• How do I apply for certification as a diverse or small business?
  The Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) is responsible for certifying diverse and small businesses that are interested in public and private business opportunities in Massachusetts. SDO certifies some diverse business categories inhouse and has agreements with third-party organizations that certify businesses as well. 

  For more details, visit Certification Program for SDO to view related resources, such as certification self-assessment, application steps, certification benefits, supporting documents checklist, and SDO Certification FAQ.   

Closing a Business

• What are the steps to close a business in Massachusetts?
  You can close your business registration in Massachusetts by de-registering with the Department of Revenue (DOR) as well as other state and federal agencies.

  For more details, visit Closing Your Massachusetts Business Registration for an overview of the steps.

• How do I close a business with the Department of Revenue?
  Taxpayers who are closing their businesses as a whole, or just specific Department of Revenue (DOR) tax registrations should use MassTaxConnect.

  For more details, visit the “Closing with DOR using MassTaxConnect” section of the Closing Your Massachusetts Business Registration webpage or go directly to MassTaxConnect.

• How do I report bankruptcy filing to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue? 
  The Department of Revenue has consolidated relevant considerations, reporting requirements, types of bankruptcy filings, and bankruptcy court contact information.

  For more details, visit Report Your Bankruptcy Filing to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR). 

• What is the unemployment insurance program?
  The unemployment insurance (UI) program provides temporary income protection, training, and professional support during periods of unemployment to eligible Massachusetts workers. Employers fund the UI program and serve as a critical resource for unemployed workers seeking UI benefits.

  For more details, visit, Unemployment Insurance for Employers.