Start your business
Do you have a dream of owning and running your own business? A limited liability company (LLC) might be the answer you’re looking for due to less risk and more flexibility. At ZenBusiness, we’re ready to help you start, run, and grow your small business. Check out our comprehensive guide below to learn more about starting your LLC in Missouri.
1Name Your Missouri LLC
You can start an LLC in Missouri by filing the Articles of Organization with the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State’s office. It’s a simple form, but there are many details you need to understand and plan before registering your business. That’s where we come to the rescue.
ZenBusiness helps LLC owners every step of the way to business success and beyond. Take a look at our step-by-step guide to learn more about Missouri LLCs. Start living your dream today!
Brainstorming names for your new business can be a fun process, but keep in mind there are rules you’ll need to follow in Missouri. When thinking about how to name your LLC, remember the following guidelines set forth under Missouri state law:
To find out if the name you want to use is available, you can do a preliminary search over the phone by calling the Secretary of State’s office in Jefferson City at 573-751-4153. A more thorough online company name search should also be done before moving ahead to register your LLC.
If the name is available, but you aren’t ready to register your LLC, be sure to reserve it. You can do so once you create and log in to your account on the Secretary of State’s website. You can also fill out this Application for Reservation of Name and mail it to the office. It costs $25 either way.
Once reserved, no one else has the right to it for 60 days. It can be renewed or extended for two additional 60-day periods. The most time that you can reserve a business name for is 180 days. After this time, you can’t reserve that specific name ever again.
This restriction doesn’t mean you can’t ever use the name. You can have someone else reserve the name for you, or you can try to register the name when you file your LLC’s Articles of Organization. If it’s available, then it’ll be yours to use.
Another thing to consider when naming your LLC is if it will translate easily to a domain name for your company’s website. Find out what’s available by doing a domain name search during the brainstorming process.
At ZenBusiness, we can help you reserve both your website domain name and your LLC name.
Missouri law also requires you to complete a Fictitious Name Registration with the Secretary of State if you or your company will be doing business under a name that’s different from your or your company’s true name. It’s also known as “Doing Business As” (DBA) registration. This form allows you to market your business under a name other than an official legal name.
You can file the fictitious name online or by mail with a $7 fee. It must be renewed every five years. If you fail to register or renew this form, you’ll be charged with a Class D misdemeanor under Missouri law. The DBA registration was created to help protect consumers from fraudulent business owners.
A final item to think about is your company’s trademark or service mark. A trademark is a word, symbol, name, or combination of such that’s used to identify goods made or sold by your LLC. A trademark helps to distinguish your goods from those made or sold by others.
Trademark registration secures your rights to the mark in Missouri. No one other than the owner of the mark can use it without the owner’s consent. At the state level, you’ll need to file a Trademark and Service Mark Application with the Secretary of State. Two actual samples of the mark in use need to be submitted with the application. Copies of the mark won’t be accepted.
The fee is $55 to reserve a trademark or service mark by mail. You’ll need to remember to renew your reservation every 10 years. Remember to check with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to see if anything similar is already trademarked at the federal level.
Kyra and Mike will be the shareholders of “Smith Family Ventures, LLC” but are thinking of operating a restaurant with live entertainment under the name “Smokin’ Barbecue & Blues.” If they do so, then they’ll need to file a fictitious name registration with the Corporation Division of the Office of the Missouri Secretary of State.
Kelly decided to team up with ZenBusiness and use their registered agent service to protect her private information from becoming public. Kelly also wanted her legal paperwork to be sent to an address separate from her public-facing bakery.
Kyra and Mike are ready to form their LLC in Missouri officially, but they’re worried about making mistakes and not knowing enough about state laws. ZenBusiness helps them to understand the process better and even files the Articles of Organization for them.
Missouri requires all LLCs to have an Operating Agreement. This agreement is an internal business document that details how the business will run and much more. The document doesn’t have to be filed with the Secretary of State or any other governmental agency.
An LLC Operating Agreement in Missouri establishes items, such as:
The agreement may also include the appointment of a manager or managers and details on the scope of their authority.
With a customizable template, ZenBusiness makes it easy to create an Operating Agreement.
Kyra and Mike want to create an Operating Agreement that will safeguard themselves and their company. Should conflicts ever arise, they know they can turn to an Operating Agreement to resolve most issues. Mike suggests using a ZenBusiness template to draft the agreement and ensure they don’t forget anything important.
To pay your federal taxes, you’ll likely need to apply to the IRS for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). It’s like a Social Security number for your LLC, not only helping the IRS identify your business, but also helping you obtain things like a business bank account. You can apply for an EIN online, by mail, or by fax.
ZenBusiness can also secure an EIN for you. In Missouri, you’ll need to register your business with the Department of Revenue, too.
Kyra and Mike plan to have other employees to help run their LLC, and they know they’ll need to pay various state and federal taxes. ZenBusiness helps them file for a tax ID number with the IRS, so they’ll be ready to pay the correct taxes and avoid penalties.
There are a variety of fees associated with starting an LLC in Missouri. The basic startup fee is $50 to file the Articles of Organization online or $105 to file by mail. Missouri doesn’t require an annual report filing or renewal for LLCs.
| Do-It-Yourself (DIY) | ZenBusiness Starter Plan |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (state filing fee) | |
| $100 | $100 |
| ZenBusiness filing | |
| N/A | $49 |
| Average Filing Time | |
| ??? | 2-3 weeks |
| Registered Agent | |
| +$159/yr | |
| Operating Agreement | |
| +$35 | |
| Name Reservation | |
| +$10 | |
| Accuracy Guarantee | |
| | |
| TOTAL COST | |
| Do-It-Yourself (DIY) | ZenBusiness Pro Plan |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | |
| state fee | $199 + state fee |
| Average Filing Time | |
| 2-3 weeks | 5-8 business days |
| Registered Agent | |
| +$99/yr | |
| Operating Agreement | |
| +$35 | |
| State Compliance Help | |
| $119/yr | |
| EIN | |
| +$70 | |
| DOMAIN NAME | |
| +$25 | |
| DOMAIN PRIVACY | |
| +$10 | |
| BUSINESS WEBSITE | |
| +$100 | |
| BUSINESS EMAIL ADDRESS | |
| +$25 | |
| SHOW ALL DETAILS | |
| Do-It-Yourself (DIY) | ZenBusiness Pro Plan |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | |
| state fee | $199 |
| Average Filing Time | |
| 15 business days | 5-10 business days |
| Registered Agent | |
| +$249/yr | |
| Operating Agreement | |
| +$99 | |
| State Compliance Help | |
| $280/yr | |
| EIN | |
| +$60 | |
| DOMAIN NAME | |
| +$25 | |
| DOMAIN PRIVACY | |
| +$10 | |
| BUSINESS WEBSITE | |
| +$100 | |
| BUSINESS EMAIL ADDRESS | |
| +$25 | |
| SHOW ALL DETAILS | |
ZenBusiness’s business formation services can assist with your LLC filings and more.
You’ll also need to mark whether the company will be managed by its members or appointed managers.
Details about Series LLCs are on this form, as well. A Series LLC is a business structure with a “parent” or “umbrella” LLC under which multiple LLCs can be organized. You can register a Series LLC in Missouri by filing the Articles of Organization and an attachment Series formation application with the state.
The benefits of forming a Missouri LLC include:
Learn more about the benefits of the LLC business structure.
A Missouri LLC is taxed based on the company’s classification for federal income tax purposes. A classification is chosen when you file for an EIN.
There is a wide variety of business taxes that your Missouri LLC will need to pay. A qualified tax professional can help you make sure you stay in compliance.
An LLC can be structured as a partnership, disregarded entity (like a sole proprietorship), or corporation. Consult with an expert in tax laws to decide which tax structure best fits your Missouri LLC’s needs.
Some types of businesses require special licenses or certifications to operate legally. Check with your local town, city, and/or county authorities to determine if your LLC needs any licenses or permits on the local level. Missouri has a page to help you determine what state licensing you may need. Remember that licensing can also happen at the federal level and is often industry-specific.
As for insurance, Missouri requires LLCs with five or more employees to carry workers’ compensation. Any vehicles used for work purposes must be covered by commercial auto insurance. Additional insurance coverage, such as general liability insurance, might be recommended based on your business operations. It’s best to consult with an insurance expert.
No, Missouri LLCs do not have to file an annual report.
To change ownership of an LLC in Missouri, you’ll have to file an Amendment of Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State’s office for $25. Additional penalty fees may apply to domestic LLCs.
To dissolve an LLC in Missouri, you’ll need to submit an Articles of Termination for Limited Liability Company form with a $25 filing fee by mail.
Want to learn more about starting a business in Missouri? Contact us today!
Already a Missouri small business owner? Learn how ZenBusiness can help you run or grow your Missouri small business today!
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Additional tax and regulatory requirements may apply to you
Additional tax and regulatory requirements may apply to you
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