Section 32. Any person not a resident of the commonwealth who engages in business in the commonwealth, as defined in section one, shall, as a condition precedent to engaging in business in the commonwealth and by so engaging in business in the commonwealth, be deemed thereby to appoint the secretary of the commonwealth his agent for the service of process in any judicial proceeding under this chapter. Such process shall be served by leaving a copy of the process in the hands of the secretary of the commonwealth or a deputy or in the office of said secretary. Such service shall be sufficient service upon the person; provided, that notice of such service and a copy of the process is, at least fifteen days before the return day of such process, sent by registered mail to such person's last known address, and that the sender's registered mail receipt and the commissioner's affidavit of compliance with this section are appended to the process and filed in the action or proceeding on or before the return day of the process or within such further time as the court may allow. The court in which the action or proceeding is pending may order such continuances as may be necessary to afford the defendant reasonable opportunity to defend the action. Service of process in the foregoing manner shall be of the same force and validity as if served upon the taxpayer personally within the commonwealth.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 64h - Tax on Retail Sales of Certain Tangible Personal Property
Section 2 - Sales Tax; Services Tax; Imposition; Rate; Payment
Section 3 - Payment by Purchaser; Collection by Vendor; Sales of Motor Vehicles or Trailers
Section 4 - Computation of Tax
Section 5 - Statement and Collection of Tax
Section 6a - Annual Sales Tax Holiday
Section 7 - Registration Required
Section 8 - Presumption of Sale at Retail; Burden of Proof; Resale and Exempt Use Certificates
Section 9 - Classified Permits Establishing Percentage of Exempt Sales
Section 16 - Liability for Failure to Pay Tax
Section 25a - Motorboats; Aircraft; Certificate Issuance; Evidence of Tax Payment
Section 25b - Unregistered Boats Anchored Within Commonwealth; Reports
Section 26 - Trade-in of Motor Vehicles or Trailers; Sales Tax
Section 27a - Trade-in Boats and Airplanes
Section 29 - Service of Notices
Section 30a - Bond or Deposit; Non-Resident Contractors; Definition
Section 32 - Service of Process; Nonresident Vendors
Section 33 - Worthless Accounts; Reimbursement Without Interest