Incorporation in Massachusetts

Find the right Business Incorporation attorney in Pittsfield, MA

In Massachusetts, businesses are allowed to incorporate, thereby becoming their own legal entities. When an incorporated business acts, whether it is to buy and sell property, assent to contracts or exercise legal rights, the process is then attributable to the business itself and not its owners. To incorporate in Massachusetts, a business must file with the Secretary of State in compliance with particular guidelines.

Benefits of Incorporation in Massachusetts

A corporation enjoys benefits that unincorporated companies do not. Primarily, it cannot be held accountable for an amount of debt greater than the value of the assets that the owners have invested in it. Without incorporation, the personal property of business owners is at stake should the company become unable to satisfy its debts. A corporation may also find it easier to finance itself through loans, allowing creditors in the Pittsfield area to evaluate their investment by assessing the corporation rather than the individual credit-worthiness of its owners. Lastly, the ownership stake in a corporation can be apportioned into uniform slices, known as "shares" of stock. This makes it possible to sell ownership investments in more manageable slices.

Costs of Incorporation

Incorporation can be costly. First, a modest filing fee may be charged in Massachusetts for any business that wants to incorporate. Also, a corporation is taxed as its own entity. The incomes of owners as individuals are also taxed of course, meaning that income to the corporation may be subject to double taxation. However, this disadvantage can be avoided with proper planning and help from a local Pittsfield lawyer.

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Life in Pittsfield

Pittsfield is located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. An interesting fact is that in 2005, Farmers Insurance ranked the city twentieth in the U.S. on the "Most Secure Place to Live" list. Forbest Magazine also ranked Pittsfield as number sixty-one in its list for "Best Small Places for Business."

Some known businesses in Pittsfield include Chemex Corporation, Blue-Q, SABIC, Laurin Publishing, Thaddeus Clapp House, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, and Berkshire Gas. Naturally, to support these businesses, Pittsfield is home to many attorneys who can easily handle the legal needs of businesses and residents.

Some famous residents include Thomas Allen, Silvio O. Conte, Cy Ferry, Tom Grieve, Stephanie Wilson and Robin Williams.

All in all, Pittsfield is a place that residents love to live in, and people love to visit!

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