Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
AUTHORITY TO TRANSACT BUSINESS REQUIRED
(a) A foreign corporation that transacts business or has a usual place of business in the commonwealth shall deliver the certificate required by section 15.03 to the secretary of state for filing.
(b) The following activities, among others, do constitute transacting business within the meaning of subsection (a):
(1) the ownership or leasing of real estate in the commonwealth;
(2) engaging in the construction, alteration or repair of any structure, railway or road; or
(3) engaging in any other activity requiring the performance of labor.
(c) The following activities, among others, without more, do not constitute transacting business within the meaning of subsection (a):
(1) maintaining, defending, or settling any proceeding;
(2) holding meetings of the board of directors or shareholders or carrying on other activities concerning internal corporate affairs;
(3) maintaining bank accounts;
(4) maintaining offices or agencies for the transfer, exchange, and registration of the corporations own securities or maintaining trustees or depositories with respect to those securities;
(5) selling through independent contractors;
(6) soliciting or obtaining orders, whether by mail or through employees or agents or otherwise, if the orders require acceptance outside the commonwealth before they become contracts;
<[ There is no clause (7) or clause (8).]>
(9) conducting an isolated transaction that is not one in the course of repeated transactions of a like nature;
(10) transacting business in interstate commerce; or
(11) performing activities subject to regulation under chapter 167 or chapter 175, if the foreign corporation has complied with the applicable chapter.
(d) The list of activities in subsections (b) and (c) is not exhaustive.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 156D, § 15.01 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ma/part-i-administration-of-the-government-ch-1-182/ma-gen-laws-ch-156d-sect-15-01/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)