Missouri LLC Costs: Summary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (online state fee) | $50 |
| Card processing fee | $1.25 ($51.25 total; $0.50 instead if you pay by e-check) |
| Articles of Organization (paper) | $105 |
| Change of Registered Agent or Office | $10 |
| Business License or Permit | Varies by city and industry |
| Registered Agent Service (optional) | $50–$300 per year |
| Reserving a Business Name (optional, 60 days) | $25 |
| Fictitious Name Registration (if you use one) | $7 (renew every 5 years) |
| Operating Agreement | $0–$1,000 |
| Annual Report | Not required for LLCs ($0) |
Thinking about forming an LLC in Missouri but concerned about the complexity or cost? You’re not alone. Many aspiring business owners hesitate to take the first step due to the paperwork, fees, and uncertainty about where to begin. While those concerns are understandable, forming an LLC doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
With the right information and support, such as using a professional LLC formation service, you can simplify the process and get your Missouri LLC up and running more efficiently. LLC costs vary depending on the state, so it’s important to understand what to expect where you live.
In this guide, we’ll break down the costs of forming an LLC in Missouri, so you know exactly what to plan for as you launch your business.
General steps and costs when forming a Missouri LLC
Before you head down the road of creating your Missouri LLC, you need to ensure you’re clear on what steps to take and the cost for each one of those steps. You don’t want to get partway through the creation of your LLC and realize that costs are going to delay your plans. The more you know about it beforehand the more easily you can move from one step to the next one and keep your finances in order. That adds to your peace of mind, making the development of your Missouri LLC a more exciting and enjoyable time.
Naming your Missouri LLC
The good news is that the MO SoS business search is free. That means you don’t have to pay anything to find out if someone in the state of Missouri is already using the name you want for your new business. However, there are two naming areas where you might incur some costs. These are reserving a business name, which costs $25.00 for 60 days, and filing a DBA (doing business as) if you choose to use one, which has a cost of $7.00. If you use a name other than your LLC’s legal name, Missouri requires you to register it as a fictitious name, renewed every 5 years.
Filing articles of organization
There are two ways to file your Articles of Organization in Missouri, and they have different costs. If you file online you can start as low as $50, plus a $1.25 card processing fee ($51.25 total; $0.50 if you pay by e-check). However, if you want to file your Articles of Organization by mail you’ll need to pay $105 instead. Changing your registered agent or registered office costs $10, and amending your Articles of Organization costs $25. There may also be additional filing fees for items such as a Certificate of Good Standing, which costs $10.
Appointing a registered agent
Appointing a registered agent doesn’t have a cost if you’re doing it yourself, because you can make that appointment free of charge. Registered agent services generally cost $50–$300 per year. Tailor Brands’ registered agent service is $199 per year. For many people who are unfamiliar with how to operate an LLC and are just starting one up, the cost is well worth it to reduce worry and make everything more convenient.
Creating an operating agreement
Missouri requires members to adopt an operating agreement (RSMo 347.081). It can be written or oral and isn’t filed with the state; a written agreement is strongly recommended because it gives you and your members the most protection. The cost can range from $0 to $1,000, depending on whether you decide to do it yourself, use our operating agreement service, or hire an attorney to create the agreement for you.
Other Annual and Additional Missouri LLC Costs
Annual reports and franchise tax
Missouri doesn’t require LLCs to file annual reports, and the state’s franchise tax was repealed for tax years starting in 2016. That means there are no recurring state filing fees just to keep your LLC active.
Business licenses & permits
Most businesses operating within the state of Missouri need a license or permit. Sometimes, they need more than one. The kind of business you have will affect what’s required. Even though there’s no statewide, general license to operate, the majority of cities and towns have regulations. That’s particularly significant if you’re operating your business out of your home, as you can be subject to additional scrutiny.
Some of the more common business licenses and permits for an LLC in Missouri include:
- Retail sales license (from the Missouri Department of Revenue)
- Graduated Business License (St. Louis City)
- Professional or occupational licenses from state boards
- Misc licensing for issues such as retail sales tax, withholding tax, or a tire & battery fee
What expenses you can write off
The good news about LLC formation costs in Missouri is that you can write a lot of them off on your federal taxes. That’s a great way to get back a little of what you’ve financially invested in your LLC, and that allows you to feel more confident about moving forward with a business that might not make any money right away. Most businesses lose money in their first year or two, so getting something back can really help. The main deductible costs include:
- Articles of Organization and other filing fees
- DBA fees
- Operating agreement costs
- Registered agent costs
- Attorney fees
Missouri LLC and General State Fees
These fees are taken from the state’s fee schedule. There’s a 2% + $0.25 fee for credit cards (that’s $1.25 on the $50 online filing) and $0.50 for E-checks.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization, domestic or foreign (paper) | $105 |
| Articles of Organization, domestic (online) | $50 |
| Amendments to Limited Liability Companies (penalty fee may apply if domestic LLC) | $25 |
| Merger with Limited Liability Company as Surviving Entity | $25 |
| Notice of Winding Up | $25 |
| Articles of Termination | $25 |
| Certificate of Withdrawal | $25 |
| Fictitious Name Registration | $7 |
| Abstract of Business Record | $10 |
| Certified Abstract of Business Record | $15 |
| Certified Copy of Business Record (paper) | $10 for certification plus 50¢ per page |
| Certified Copy of Business Record (online) | $10 |
| Certificate of Fact | $25 |
| Certificate of Good Standing | $10 |
| Change of Registered Agent / Office Address / or both | $10 |
| Pre-Clearance Examination | $55 |
| Reservation of Name | $25 |
| Resignation of Registered Agent | $10 |
| Statement of Correction | $10 |
| Non Certified Copies | 50¢ per page |
Conclusion
Setting up an LLC in Missouri doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. Having help, though, makes it even easier to do. When you use our LLC creation service you take all the guesswork out of the creation of your business, so you can focus on growing it for the future. Missouri is a relatively business-friendly state to set up and operate your LLC, and it has low fees and reasonable requirements for you to follow. You can get started today, and begin making your dreams of owning your own business come true.
FAQ
One of the benefits of choosing Missouri for your LLC formation is that the state has generally low costs for businesses that want to operate within it. You won’t have a lot of unexpected expenses or difficult paperwork to deal with, and that can make it easier for you to develop and grow your business over time. That’s good news for people who want to see success and may need a lower barrier to entry to get their LLC dreams off the ground.
Working with an LLC formation service has some big benefits, with the largest ones being convenience and peace of mind. Sure, you can handle the formation of your LLC yourself, but when you have questions or you’re not sure about something, it’s not always easy to get quick answers from governmental agencies. You don’t want to make a mistake and miss something important, which could lead to costly problems and even put you at risk of legal issues.
If you have an LLC you need a registered agent. This is a Missouri resident or a business authorized in Missouri that is appointed to receive legal and other official correspondence on behalf of the LLC. That could be you, a business partner, an attorney, or someone else you’ve appointed who agrees to serve in that capacity. While you may not want to choose anyone other than yourself, you need someone who’s fully available during normal business hours, with a legal address in the state.
Technically, you don’t have to live in Missouri to have an LLC there. You can operate with a registered agent in that state, and foreign entities can have LLCs in Missouri, too. It’s a little more complicated when you don’t live in the state where your LLC is formed and managed, though, so you would definitely want to work with a formation service to help you through the process. That’s important for legality and also for increased peace of mind.
You should get an EIN (employer identification number) from the IRS for your LLC. You’ll need one if your LLC has employees or more than one member, and most banks ask for it to open a business bank account. You’ll also feel more protected financially and be able to keep your accounts separate from what your LLC has, which can reduce your risk if something goes wrong with your business. Extra security is a good thing, and an EIN is free.