Kimberlee Leonard has 22 years of experience as a freelance writer. Her work has been featured on US News and World Report, Business.com and Fit Small Business. She brings practical experience as a business owner and insurance agent to her role as a.
Kimberlee Leonard Small Business Expert WriterKimberlee Leonard has 22 years of experience as a freelance writer. Her work has been featured on US News and World Report, Business.com and Fit Small Business. She brings practical experience as a business owner and insurance agent to her role as a.
Written By Kimberlee Leonard Small Business Expert WriterKimberlee Leonard has 22 years of experience as a freelance writer. Her work has been featured on US News and World Report, Business.com and Fit Small Business. She brings practical experience as a business owner and insurance agent to her role as a.
Kimberlee Leonard Small Business Expert WriterKimberlee Leonard has 22 years of experience as a freelance writer. Her work has been featured on US News and World Report, Business.com and Fit Small Business. She brings practical experience as a business owner and insurance agent to her role as a.
Small Business Expert Writer Kelly Main Staff ReviewerKelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist c.
Kelly Main Staff ReviewerKelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist c.
Written By Kelly Main Staff ReviewerKelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist c.
Kelly Main Staff ReviewerKelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist c.
Staff Reviewer Brette Sember, J.D. contributorBrette Sember is a retired attorney who has been writing and editing law and legal topics for more than 25 years. She is the author of more than 40 books, is a nationally recognized expert on divorce and family law and has a depth of experience that.
Brette Sember, J.D. contributorBrette Sember is a retired attorney who has been writing and editing law and legal topics for more than 25 years. She is the author of more than 40 books, is a nationally recognized expert on divorce and family law and has a depth of experience that.
Brette Sember, J.D. contributorBrette Sember is a retired attorney who has been writing and editing law and legal topics for more than 25 years. She is the author of more than 40 books, is a nationally recognized expert on divorce and family law and has a depth of experience that.
Brette Sember, J.D. contributorBrette Sember is a retired attorney who has been writing and editing law and legal topics for more than 25 years. She is the author of more than 40 books, is a nationally recognized expert on divorce and family law and has a depth of experience that.
Updated: Feb 17, 2024, 12:38pm
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Small businesses are a major part of the Massachusetts economy, with 99.5% of all businesses in the Commonwealth being small businesses. Massachusetts boasts more than 700,600 small businesses. If you’ve started a new business in the Commonwealth, you may need to get a business license to operate legally. Read this simple guide to learn how to get a business license in Massachusetts in just a few simple steps.
At the state level, Massachusetts doesn’t require you to get a general business license. However, it may require you to obtain a sales and use tax registration if you sell goods or taxable services. This is obtained from the Department of Revenue and is applied for and managed on the MassTaxConnect website. There is no fee to register.
Depending on the type of business that you have, you may be required to obtain a different kind of license. For example, the Construction Supervisor Licensing Department manages those in the industry who are construction supervisors or general contractors. Also, the Division of Occupational Licensure oversees 39 professional boards requiring state licensing for 167 professions. This department oversees professionals such as real estate professionals, cosmetologists and plumbers.
If you are required to obtain a business license, you must do so prior to starting your business operations. You must obtain a sales tax registration prior to your first sale, while professional licensing must be obtained before you market your services.
Anyone who has a business location in the state or sells, leases or rents tangible property must obtain a sales and use tax registration. This also applies to businesses that acquire parts to manufacture goods for sale. If you are unsure whether or not you need a sales tax registration, contact the Department of Revenue.
You’ll also want to check with your county or municipal business office to see if a local license or permit is required in the area where you will be doing business.
Different types of licenses may be needed when operating a business in Massachusetts. The most common license is the sales tax registration issued by the Department of Revenue. This license allows you as the business to collect and pay the 6.25% sales tax.
Other types of business licenses include:
Be sure to check with the Small Business Administration (SBA) for help determining which licenses you may need and for information about federal licensing for specific industries.
