How Much Does an LLC Cost in Missouri (Fees Breakdown)
Starting an LLC in Missouri costs $50 online. It costs $105 by mail. Either way, you pay that fee to the Secretary of State to file the Articles of Organization. It's the one cost every Missouri LLC has to pay first.
Missouri skips something most states require. Once your LLC gets approved, you never file an annual report or pay a recurring state fee to keep it active.
You will still run into other costs though, like registered agents, local licenses, and taxes. This guide breaks each one down so nothing catches you off guard.
Quick Summary
- Missouri gives you a real discount for filing your Articles of Organization online instead of by mail.
- After approval, expect costs like a registered agent, business licenses, and state taxes on your LLC's income.
- You can file the paperwork yourself, but delegating the work to professional LLC services in Missouri can help you avoid costly mistakes.
| Cost Item | Amount | Frequency | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation Filing Fee (Articles of Organization) | $50 online, $105 by mail | One-time | Mandatory |
| Annual report | None required, no fee | N/A | Not required |
| Registered agent service | $0 (self) or $80 to $300 | Every year | Optional |
| Name reservation | $25 | One-time | Optional |
| Local business license | Varies by city | Varies | Mandatory if applicable |
| Professional license | Varies by profession | As needed | Mandatory if applicable |
| State taxes (income, sales/use) | 2.00% to 4.70% individual income tax; 4.225% state sales/use tax | Ongoing | Mandatory if applicable |
| Operating agreement | $0 (template) or $100 to $200 (professional) | One-time | Mandatory |
| Fictitious Name (DBA) | $7 | One-time | Optional |
| Certificate of Good Standing | $10 | As needed | Optional |
| Certified copies | $10 plus $0.50 per page | As needed | Optional |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | One-time | Recommended |
Cost to Start an LLC in Missouri
Before a business can legally operate in Missouri, it has to clear a few mandatory and optional expenses. Here's what starting an LLC in Missouri actually costs.
1. LLC Formation Filing Fee ($50 Online / $105 Mail - Mandatory)
The Missouri Secretary of State has to receive your Articles of Organization first. That's the filing that legally creates your LLC.
Filing online costs $50. Filing by mail costs $105 instead, a $55 gap. Filing online saves you real money on top of saving time.
Missouri doesn't sell a paid rush option for LLC Articles. The online business portal is already the state's quickest filing path. There's nothing extra to buy for faster service.
Active-duty military members, including the Missouri National Guard, can use the state's Startup for Soldiers program to waive the filing fee. The waiver only covers filings made in person or by mail. Online filers don't qualify.
2. Registered Agent Fee ($80-$300 - Optional)
Missouri law requires an LLC to keep a registered agent and registered office in the state at all times[1]. Your agent keeps a physical street address on file. They accept legal documents, tax notices, and other official mail for your LLC during business hours.
Many owners hire a professional service instead of acting as their own agent. It keeps a home address off public record. It often bundles in other business services too. Expect to pay between $80 and $300 a year for that convenience.
Switching to a new agent means filing a Statement of Change with the Secretary of State. That filing costs $10.
You don't have to hire a company for this job. It helps to compare options first, though. Registered agent services in Missouri vary widely on price and what's included.
3. Name Reservation Fee ($25 - Optional)
To reserve an LLC name before you're ready to file, submit an Application for Reservation of Name and pay $25. That payment holds your name for 60 days.
Check that your preferred name is actually available before you file anything. Make sure it meets Missouri's naming rules too. A rejected filing wastes both the fee and the wait.
Expenses Following the Approval of Your LLC
Everything above gets your LLC formed. A few more costs show up once the state approves it. Here's what to expect after approval, and how it fits into the bigger picture of LLC startup costs.
1. Local Business License (Depending on Line of Business - Mandatory)
Most Missouri cities require your LLC to hold a local business license if you're doing business within their limits. The cost swings widely. Each city sets its own price, based on the type of work you do and where you're located.
2. Professional Licenses In Missouri (Depending on the Profession - Mandatory)
The Missouri Division of Professional Registration issues licenses for a wide range of jobs. Psychology, interior design, and wrestling all need one. Professional wrestlers, for instance, must submit an application. That license costs $40.
3. Taxes (Depending on Income Bracket - Mandatory)
LLC owners face "pass-through taxation" by default. Your business income gets taxed on your own returns. It's not taxed at the entity level.
The federal self-employment tax rate is 15.3%. Missouri's individual income tax runs from 2.00% up to 4.70%, based on your bracket. That top rate is on a path toward 4.5%, under state tax cuts already written into law.
Selling goods or taxable services adds one more tax. You'll owe Missouri's 4.225% state sales and use tax. You collect and remit it through the Missouri Department of Revenue. Cities and counties layer their own local rate on top of that.
4. Operating Agreement ($100-$200 - Mandatory)
Missouri law requires every LLC to adopt an operating agreement[2]. It's a document between members. It spells out who owns the LLC, how it's run, and how profits get split.
Drafting one yourself with a template costs nothing. A professionally drafted version typically runs $100 to $200. Either way, a written agreement matters at a few key moments. You'll want one to open a bank account, get a loan, or defend your liability status in court.
You never file it with the Secretary of State. It stays an internal document, though banks and lenders often ask to see it.
5. DBA Name ($7 - Optional)
Operating under a name other than your LLC's legal one takes one extra filing. File a Registration of Fictitious Name. It costs $7.
You need a separate filing for each name you use. The registration expires 5 years from the filing date. You can renew it though, by refiling the same form for the same $7 fee.
6. Certificate Of Good Standing ($10 - Optional)
A Certificate of Good Standing confirms your LLC is current on its state obligations. It costs $10, no matter how you order it.
Lenders and investors often ask to see a current one. Keep it on hand if you're planning to raise money.
7. Certified Copies Of Business Records ($10 Plus $0.50 Per Page - Optional)
A certified copy of your Articles of Organization or another filed document is a separate request. It's not the same as the Certificate of Good Standing above. It costs $10 for certification, plus 50 cents a page.
Banks, courts, and other states sometimes ask for a certified copy instead of a plain printout. It carries the Secretary of State's official seal.
8. Employer Identification Number ($0 - Optional, but Recommended)
An Employer Identification Number, or EIN, is what you'll need to open a bank account or file certain taxes. The IRS issues EINs for free, and the online form takes just a few minutes to finish.
If you'd rather skip the paperwork, an LLC formation service can take care of it. Expect to pay $10 to $50.
FAQs
How Much Is Sales Tax In Missouri?
Sales tax in Missouri is 4.225% at the state level. Cities and counties add their own local rate on top, so the total you charge customers depends on where your business operates.
Is There A Penalty For Paying My Taxes Late In Missouri?
Yes, there is a penalty for paying your taxes late in Missouri, and it depends on what happened. Filing on time but paying late brings a flat 5% penalty. Never filing at all brings 5% per month late, capped at 25%.
Does Missouri Charge An Annual Filing Fee For LLCs?
No, Missouri does not charge an annual filing fee for LLCs. Domestic and foreign LLCs alike skip the annual report most states require. That makes Missouri one of the more affordable states for ongoing LLC maintenance.
Do I Need A Sales Tax License For My Missouri LLC?
Yes, you need a sales tax license if your Missouri LLC sells tangible personal property or provides taxable services. Register with the Department of Revenue using Form 2643 or its online system. There's no state fee to register.
Does A Multi-Member LLC In Missouri Pay Corporate Income Tax?
No, a multi-member LLC in Missouri does not pay corporate income tax by default. The IRS treats it as a partnership, so profits and losses pass through to each member's individual tax return instead.
References:
- https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=347.030
- https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=347.081
