Best Businesses to Start in Missouri
Missouri LLC Cost
We’ve compiled the most common fees so you know exactly what to expect when starting your Missouri LLC.
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FAQs on how to determine Missouri LLC costs
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When you’re ready to take on the challenge of opening your Missouri business, an LLC is a great business entity option. The Missouri LLC cost consists of your initial filing fee. You pay this when you file your Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State. The fee for filing your Articles of Organization is the largest government filing fee in the formation process.
Before you can file your Articles of Organization, you’ll need to find an original name by checking your choice against the Missouri Business Entity database. After you’ve got a name picked out, our Missouri LLC Formation Service can help you get your Missouri LLC formed fast. We can do this for just $0 plus state fees.
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The following fees are an estimate of what it costs to start a business in Missouri.
Missouri LLC Filing Fee
$105: The cost of filing your Articles of Organization in paper format in Missouri is $105. Filing online costs $50. Filing your Reservation of Name form costs and additional $25. You’ll file your forms and pay your Missouri LLC filing fees through the Missouri Secretary of State’s Online Business Filing System (registration required).
If you are an active-duty military member, including a member of the Missouri National Guard, you are eligible to take part in the Startups for Soldiers program. Missouri LLC filing fees for companies with an active-duty military member as an organizer or member may qualify for a waiver under this program.
Registered Agent Fee
Free with your Articles of Organization filing: To file your Articles of Organization, you need to choose a Registered Agent for your Missouri LLC. In Missouri, a Registered Agent is a person or business with a Missouri address who is authorized to accept legal papers and communicate with the government on your behalf. You don’t have to pay a separate fee to identify your Registered Agent. You will name this person when you file your Articles of Organization, so that filing fee covers everything. If you want to change your Registered Agent at any point, it costs $10 to file a Change of Registered Agent form.
Finding a Registered Agent that meets all your business needs as well as Missouri’s legal requirements can be a challenge. We can help you find the right Registered Agent at the right price for your LLC with our Missouri Registered Agent Service.
Annual Filing Fee
Free: Missouri requires LLCs to submit annual reports or biennial reports describing LLC business activities each year. This report is also a chance for you to update your company’s information on file or correct any errors. Filing the report is free, but you’ll need to budget time and resources to prepare it. You can save time and money by using our Annual Report Service to help you stay on top of your obligations.
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Your formation fees are only the start when creating your Missouri LLC. There are other Missouri LLC costs that will arise as you start your company. Here are a few you should be aware of.
Certificate of Good Standing
A Certificate of Good Standing confirms that your LLC is compliant with Missouri LLC law. You can order one through the Secretary of State’s Online Business Registration System. You need a Certificate of Good Standing to open business bank accounts, get insurance, get loans, and attract investors. Certificates of Good Standing cost $10.
DBA Name in Missouri
If your business has different projects and locations, a “Doing Business As” (DBA) or fictitious name may be right for you. A DBA name is a name your business uses to distinguish a project or business location from your business’s registered name.
You can register a DBA online or by mail in Missouri for $7.00 by completing a Registration of Fictitious Name form. We can help speed up the process with our Missouri DBA Service. Our easy service helps you check the availability of your requested DBA name and file your paperwork fast.
Foreign LLC
If you formed your LLC in another state and now want to do business in Missouri, there are certain Missouri LLC costs associated with registering your foreign company.
To operate your foreign LLC in Missouri, you need to file an Application for Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company. The foreign LLC cost in Missouri is $105 and can be paid by check, money order, or with any major credit card.
Business Licensing
Your Missouri LLC cost can rise with the number of business permits and licenses you need. Depending on the type of business you have and your location, you might have to pay fees for:
- Business licenses
- Federal, state, and local permits
- Professional registrations
With the help of our partners at Avalara, we can help you get a Business License Report. Your customized report can show you the number of licenses and permits you need to help manage the average cost to start a business in Missouri.
For just $0 plus state fees, we can form your Missouri LLC for you in just minutes. No LegalZoom promo code required: Pay just $0 plus filing fees for fast LLC formation in Missouri.
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Yes. Failure to pay your fees on time can mean penalties, late fees, and even legal sanctions. Late fees can even jeopardize the legal status of your Missouri LLC.
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If you aren’t able to pay your filing fee, then the government can refuse to accept your filing, and your LLC won’t be a valid legal entity. You may then want to consider a business entity like a sole proprietorship or general partnership. These business formats can be cheaper to start, but they carry much greater personal liability.
If you are unable to pay your fees, be sure to check if you qualify for a fee waiver program. Startups for Soldiers and other programs offer great ways to help Missouri entrepreneurs.
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You pay your Articles of Organization fees to the Missouri Secretary of State.
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The biggest cost to start a business in Missouri is the filing fee for your Articles of Organization. If you are registering your foreign LLC to do business in Missouri, foreign LLC registration is the largest fee you will encounter.
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Your costs can be paid using a check, money order, or any major credit card. Filing through the Online Business Filing System requires a major credit card.
How do I form my LLC in Missouri?
1. Name your LLC
The first step in forming your LLC is selecting a name. Missouri allows you a lot of freedom in naming your LLC. However, your new company’s name must:
- Contain the words or abbreviations “limited liability company” or LLC
- Not contain words that could confuse your business with a government agency
- Be different from other names on file with the Missouri Secretary of State
After you’ve selected a name and made sure it’s unique, you have the option to file your Application for Reservation of Name to lock it in.
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2. Confirm a Registered Office and Agent
Your registered office is the official physical address office of your company. You’ll want to make sure you name both your registered office and Registered Agent in your Articles of Organization.
3. File your LLC’s Articles of Organization
You can file your Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State. File these online or in person at any branch office of the Missouri Secretary of State. You can also file by mail by sending your Articles of Organization to:
Corporations Unit
James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center
P.O. Box 778
Jefferson City, MO 65102
For deliveries that require a physical address, such as express mailings, use:
Corporations Unit
600 W Main St.
Missouri State Information Center, Room 322
Jefferson City, MO 65101-0778
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An Operating Agreement sets up the internal rules and regulations governing the operations of your LLC. Most companies find it very useful to have one as part of their governance documents. An Operating Agreement can:
- Provide rules and guidance for dispute resolutions
- Customize how profits and losses will be shared
- Shape members’ expectations for running the business
Operating Agreements are great tools to help run your business. You don’t have to file your Operating Agreement with the state.
Without an Operating Agreement in place, Missouri’s state laws and rules governing LLCs kick in and control your company by default. Unlike an Operating Agreement, these rules aren’t customized to your individual business needs. Our Operating Agreement Template makes writing your Operating Agreement easy. We’ve helped hundreds of LLCs create their own custom Operating Agreements tailored to their company’s needs.
5. Get an EIN
Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) are necessary for certain businesses to pay their federal taxes. They’re also necessary for you to get a state tax ID in Missouri. Even if your business isn’t required to have an EIN or state tax ID, they can be great for protecting your personal privacy. If you don’t have an EIN, you’ll be required to use your personal social security number on certain business documents, which may become public.
To get an EIN, you have to file paperwork with the IRS. We can handle this for you with our Employer ID Number Service.
Stay Legally Compliant
We can help keep your business organized and compliant. Over time, you’ll probably need to amend your Articles of Organization or file other updated paperwork with the government. This can involve additional costs and hassle. To help prevent confusion and save money, you can use our Worry-Free Compliance Service. We’ll file up to two amendments per year for you and keep track of your business’s other compliance requirements.
We can help!
Becoming a business owner is a big step in your career. We get it! We can help you get your LLC formed and filed quickly. We can also help you stay compliant with our wide selection of business formation and compliance services. Our goal is to help you grow your business and save money on operations at the same time!
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
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