Ah, Massachusetts. Such a beautiful state with such a complicated spelling. You've given us the Fig Newton and four U.S. presidents. We can credit you with the American creation of basketball and the industrial revolution. Boston Common was the first public park in the U.S., and the Boston University Bridge is the only spot in the world that a boat can sail under a train that's driving under a car that's driving under an airplane. Way to go, Mass.
Massachusetts is also a saucy state in which to register your small escort business, and in this article you'll find clear step-by-step advice on how to do just that. For more information on why it's vitally important to register your business, refer to our article Don't get busted for tax evasion: Why registering your escort business is the only option.
For specifications on these structures in Massachusetts, visit Mass.Gov—Housing and Economic Development.
For some helpful advice on picking out a business name, visit Business.gov
Step four: Register your business / business name
Sole Proprietorship:
In Massachusetts you need to register your sole proprietorship with a Doing Business As certificate with your commonwealth. Though the business is you and will not be recognized as a separate business federally and you'll file your business taxes along with your personal taxes, it is important to establish a relationship with your commonwealth.
You can find contact information for your commonwealth at Mass.Gov.
For more information on if taking on a DBA is a good choice for your business, refer to our article Do I want to be a sole proprietor?
Partnership:
In Massachusetts you need to register your general partnership with your local commonwealth with a Doing Business As certificate. You can find contact information for your commonwealth at Mass.Gov.
You should also put together a partnership agreement and you will have to file a taxes come tax time, so having your books in order is very important. More on that below.
Corporation:
To register your escort corporation in Massachusetts you'll need to file your Articles of Organization with the Massachusetts Secretary of State. You can find this form and submit online at the Massachusetts Secretary of State. There is a $275 filing fee for this form and it requires detailed information about the corporate management and shares of your business.
You then also have to file your business with your local commonwealth. You do this by submitting a Doing Business As certificate, available via contact information for your commonwealth at Mass.Gov.
LLC:
To register your escort LLC in Massachusetts, you'll need to file your Certificate of Organization with the Massachusetts Secretary of State. You can find this form and register online at the website for the Massachusetts Secretary of State.
You then also have to file your business with your local commonwealth. You do this by submitting a Doing Business As certificate, available via contact information for your commonwealth at Mass.Gov.
Step six: Register for your federal and Massachusetts state taxes
There are a few basic types of taxes small businesses in Massachusetts may register for.
- Individual Income Tax: If you're a sole proprietor or LLC, you'll file your business profits/losses in a Schedule EZ form that will go along with your personal income tax 1040 form. For more information go to IRS.gov. You can also find more forms and information at the Iowa Department of Revenue—Individual Income Tax Forms.
- Pass Through Taxes: Sole proprietorships, general partnerships and LLCs will have to pay pass through taxes in Massachusetts. More information on this term and registering for these taxes can be found at the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
- Business Taxes: Corporations in Massachusetts will have to file annual reports and pay business taxes to the state. To register online and find which forms you'll have to fill out, go to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue—Filing and Reporting.
- Unemployment Insurance: All businesses with employees pay unemployment insurance to safeguard the state's unemployed. You can get more information and register your business online at Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development.
- Withholding Taxes: Employers must withhold taxes from employees and file quarterly reports. More information can be found about withholding taxes in Massachusetts at the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
- Workers Compensation: If you have employees, you'll have to pay Workers' Compensation. More information can be found at the Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development.
- Self-Employment Taxes: If you own and operate your business and are not paid as an employee, you'll need to file your own self-employment taxes for social security and Medicaid. This is particularly true for sole proprietorships, general partnerships and LLCs. You can find this Schedule C / 1040 form and get more information at IRS.gov.
You can register your business with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
Step seven: Get necessary licenses and permits
There's no specific "escort license" in Massachusetts, and chances are you won't need any other permits to conduct your escort service, but it's a good idea to run your city through the IRS's Permit Me tool and get more information about specific filing from their site.
Lisencing, permitting and certification at Mass.Gov.
For more information about registering an escort business in Massachusetts, consider the following online destinations:
Find out how to register an escort business in each state of the USA.
Related resources:
Please note: Dating.com is not a legal service, nor are we tax advisors or accountants. We do offer you what we consider our best advice, but if at all in doubt, please consult a professional.
