Establishing an LLC in Missouri entails registering with the Secretary of State and paying the filing fees to ensure your company stays compliant with the state.
With the help of our legal experts and licensed business advisors, we researched and summarized the Missouri LLC fees and regulations for you so that you can plan your business funds wisely.
Here's all you need to know about Missouri LLC costs.
Quick Summary
- The online filing fee for an Articles of Organization to the Missouri Secretary of State costs $52.
- The state mandates LLCs in Missouri to post a sales and use tax bond before paying the sales and use tax.
- Missouri state allows out-of-state business owners to form a foreign LLC at $105.
How Much Does an LLC Cost in Missouri?
It costs $52 to file the Articles of Organization online and $105 for mail filings payable to the Missouri Secretary of State.
While this is the initial cost, you still might have to account for the costs of hiring a registered agent service and business licenses that may vary depending on the services you need.
Let's examine the most regular fees associated with forming a Missouri LLC.
Missouri Filing Fee
The $52 charge is the primary fee for forming an LLC online [1]. But if you prefer to file by mail, you'll need to pay $105.
The Secretary of State must receive your Missouri LLC Articles of Organization before your business can be legally established.
Missouri is among the select states that allow business owners to create Series LLCs free of charge.
Missouri Series LLCs are types of LLCs where one LLC architecturally contains a number of other LLCs.
The Startup for Soldiers program is open to all active-duty military personnel, including members of the Missouri National Guard [2].
Under this initiative, Missouri LLC filing fees for Articles of Organization may be waived for businesses having an organizer or member who is an active-duty service member.
Missouri Registered Agent
All Missouri business owners can choose a registered agent when establishing their LLC per Missouri law.
You may also serve as your own registered agent or appoint a trusted third party who’ll receive legal papers and official notices for your Missouri LLC.
Missouri law stipulates that a registered agent must have a physical address in the state and be typically accessible during regular business hours.
The best alternative is to work with a registered agent service, which can safeguard your privacy while providing other beneficial business services. You'll pay between $50-$125 a year for this.
If you change your Missouri registered agent, the SOS expects you to submit a Statement of Change form and pay a charge of $37.
Missouri Sales License Fee
All business entities that offer taxable services or tangible personal property must get a sales tax license from the Missouri Department of Revenue [3]. The current Missouri state-specified sales tax rate is 4%.
You must submit a sales and use tax bond triple the anticipated monthly sales to meet your tax obligation [4]. Your sales and use tax bond must be purchased for a minimum of $25.
Other Filing Fees
All of the charges we've mentioned up to this point are prerequisites for forming an LLC in Missouri.
Yet, there are extra expenses to consider, such as reserving a name. Below is a breakdown of the possible startup fees for an LLC in Missouri.
1. Name Reservation
An Application for Reservation of Name must be submitted to reserve an LLC name in Missouri, costing $25.
Your prepayment secures the use of your name for 60 days, but you can submit further name reservation requests to block the use of your name for up to 180 days.
Before submitting your application, you must determine whether the Missouri Online Business Filing database accepts the LLC name. To do that, you need to learn how to look up a Missouri LLC.
2. LLC Operating Agreement Fee
A Missouri LLC Operating Agreement is a formal agreement between the LLC Members. It contains comprehensive information on who owns the LLC, how it's run, and how earnings are shared.
LLCs with one member or more should create an operating agreement, file it alongside their other legal documents, and provide a copy to each member.
For LLC Operating Agreements, most services charge between $50 and $200.
3. Fictitious Name
You must submit a Registration of Fictitious Name form, which costs $7, to register to conduct business under a DBA, also known as a fictitious name in Missouri.
You must submit a different form for each to use a fictitious name. After 5 years, your fictitious name expires; however, it may be renewed by completing the same document.
4. Missouri Certificate of Good Standing
A Certificate of Good Standing confirms your LLC's observance of state LLC regulations regarding annual reports and fees.
It can be obtained by fax, mail, in-person, email, or online for $10 plus $0.50 per page for filing by mail.
5. Employer Identification Number
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)Â is required to register an LLC business bank account or file income taxes.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will provide you with a free EIN for your LLC, which takes only a few minutes to file.
If you don’t feel confident applying for an EIN by yourself, you can hire a professional LLC agency to do it for you at a cost that varies between $10-$50.
6. Certified Copies of Articles of Organization
Ordering certified copies of your Missouri Articles of Organization will cost you $10. Orders can be placed online, via phone, fax, or mail.
You must pay an additional $0.50 per page if you submit by mail.
Companies maintain internal certified copies of their Articles of Organization for distribution to external entities like banks, attorneys, or possible investors.
7. Local Missouri Business License
Most Missouri cities and governments will need your LLC to obtain a local license, which will range in cost.
For instance, LLCs in Jefferson City must obtain a business license, the fee of which varies depending on the services your company provides.
The cost of a municipal business license in Branson, Missouri, depends on the number of staff on a busy day and ranges from $50 to $300.
8. Professional Licenses in Missouri
The Missouri Division of Professional Registration issues licenses to specific occupations, including psychology, interior design, and professional wrestling.
For instance, professional wrestlers must submit an Application for a Professional License with a $40 fee.
9. Missouri LLCs Taxes
As an LLC owner, you are subject to "pass-through taxation," which entails federal and state tax on your business income.
The federal income tax rate is 15.3%, while the state's income tax varies based on your tax rate from 1.5% to 5.3%.
Missouri Foreign LLC Registration
The Application for Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company must be filed for a fee of $105 if you already have an LLC registered in another state and wish to foreign register your business entity in Missouri.
You cannot legally conduct business in Missouri if your out-of-state company isn't registered.
A foreign LLC in Missouri does not submit Articles of Organization since it has already been filed in another jurisdiction; instead, it receives a Certificate of Authority to conduct business in Missouri.
A Certificate of Authority costs $155 to purchase.
FAQs
How Much is Business Tax in Missouri?
Business tax in Missouri is 4%. However, additional local taxes are applicable depending on the county or city where your business operates.
How Much Does a Business License Cost in Missouri?
There is no fixed cost for a business license in Missouri because the cost of these permits varies from county to county or from city to city. Generally, you can expect to pay between $50 to $300 for an individual license.
Does My Missouri LLC Need an Operating Agreement?
Your Missouri LLC doesn’t necessarily need an operating agreement. But it's highly recommended that you have one to safeguard your limited liability status.
Do You Need Professional Help with Your Missouri LLC?
Filling an LLC in Missouri is cost-efficient. Although you can form an LLC by filing the legal paperwork by yourself, delegating the work to professional LLC services in Missouri might be a better option if you want to avoid costly mistakes.
Our team of LLC experts vetted each of the services based on their service features and pricing plans, so you're assured they'll take care of everything, from formation to compliance, and will help you get through the red tape.
References:
- https://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/startbusiness
- https://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/soldiers
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/missouri/12-CSR-10-104-020
- https://dor.mo.gov/taxation/business/tax-types/sales-use/
