Do I have to register my business with the Missouri Secretary of State?

LLCs and corporations must register by filing formation documents with the Secretary of State. A sole proprietor using their own legal name does not, but should register a fictitious name if operating under a different name.

How to Start a Business in Missouri (2026)

Fact-checked by the LegalGlass editorial team against primary sources · Published Aug 6, 2026 · Last updated Aug 6, 2026

To start a business in Missouri you choose an entity, register it with the Missouri Secretary of State (filing LLC Articles of Organization costs $50 online), get a free federal EIN, and register for sales tax and employer withholding with the Missouri Department of Revenue. Missouri has no general statewide business license, but local and professional licenses often apply.

Quick Answer

Formation agency: Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division
LLC filing fee: $50 to file Articles of Organization online (higher by paper)
Federal EIN: Free from the IRS (Form SS-4)
State tax agency: Missouri Department of Revenue - sales/use tax and withholding
State business license: No general statewide license; local and professional licenses apply
LLC annual report: Not required in Missouri (corporations file annual registration)

Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure

The first decision when starting a Missouri business is your legal structure, because it determines your personal liability, how you are taxed, and what you must file with the state. The common options are a sole proprietorship, a general partnership, a limited liability company (LLC), and a corporation. A sole proprietorship or partnership requires no state formation filing, but it also gives the owners no liability shield - business debts and lawsuits reach personal assets.

An LLC is the most popular choice for small Missouri businesses because it separates personal and business liability while keeping pass-through taxation and light paperwork. A corporation is a separate taxpayer that suits businesses raising outside investment or planning to issue stock. If you are weighing structures, compare an S corporation against an LLC and review the general Missouri LLC formation process. For a solo owner who does not form an entity, see how a fictitious name works.

Your choice is not permanent - many Missouri owners begin as a sole proprietor and later form an LLC once revenue grows or they take on employees. Keep in mind that the entity choice and the tax election are separate decisions: an LLC can keep its default pass-through taxation or elect to be taxed as an S corporation once it is profitable enough to justify running payroll. Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs report business income on their personal returns, while multi-member LLCs file a partnership information return. Whichever structure you pick, confirm the name is available and reserve it if you are not ready to file right away.

Step 2: Register With the Missouri Secretary of State

If you form an LLC or corporation, you register it with the Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division. An LLC is created by filing Articles of Organization; the fee is $50 when filed online and higher when filed on paper, so online filing is both faster and cheaper. A corporation files Articles of Incorporation. Before filing, confirm your desired name is available and distinguishable using the Secretary of State's business entity search, and check that it does not infringe a federal trademark.

Every Missouri LLC and corporation must name a registered agent with a physical Missouri address to receive service of process and official notices; you can act as your own agent or hire a Missouri registered agent service. Unlike many states, Missouri does not require LLCs to file an annual report, which lowers the ongoing cost of a Missouri LLC. Corporations, by contrast, must file an annual registration report. You should still adopt an operating agreement; Missouri does not file it, but it governs ownership and management internally. For total setup costs, see the Missouri LLC cost breakdown.

Step 3: Get a Federal EIN From the IRS

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a federal tax ID issued free by the IRS using Form SS-4. You apply online in minutes, and there is no charge - any site that offers to sell you an EIN is charging for something the IRS provides at no cost. Most Missouri businesses need one: an EIN is required if your business has employees, is a multi-member LLC, or is taxed as a corporation or partnership.

A single-member LLC with no employees is treated by default as a disregarded entity and can sometimes use the owner's Social Security number, but most owners still get an EIN to open a business bank account and keep personal and business finances separate. If you are not eligible for a Social Security number, you may need an ITIN for certain federal filings. The EIN is also what you use to register for Missouri state taxes in the next step and to handle business tax filings.

Step 4: Register for Missouri Taxes

Most Missouri businesses register with the Missouri Department of Revenue (DoR) for state taxes. You use the Missouri Tax Registration Application (Form 2643) or the online MyTax Missouri portal to open the accounts your activity requires. The two most common are the sales/use tax account and the employer withholding account.

If you sell taxable goods or certain services, you must register for a sales/use tax license before making sales and collect Missouri sales tax from customers. Missouri may also require a new retailer to post a bond tied to estimated tax liability, which is refundable after a period of timely filing. If you hire employees, you must register for withholding tax to withhold Missouri income tax from wages, and you will also handle federal payroll taxes and Missouri unemployment insurance through the Department of Labor. Missouri has a state income tax, so LLC members and sole proprietors report business income on their Missouri returns, and owners generally owe self-employment tax of 15.3% federally on net earnings. Verify current rates and thresholds with the Department of Revenue before you file.

Step 5: Business Licenses and Permits

Missouri has no single statewide general business license. Whether you need a license depends on where you operate and what you do. Many Missouri cities and counties - including St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield - require a local business license or merchant's license, so check with your city and county clerk. If you operate under a name other than your own or your registered entity name, file a fictitious name registration with the Secretary of State.

Separately, many professions and occupations require a state license from their regulating board - for example, contractors, cosmetologists, accountants, real estate agents, and health professionals. Regulated activities such as selling food, alcohol, or firearms carry additional federal, state, or local permits. Because requirements vary by industry and locality, confirm your specific obligations with the relevant city, county, and state agencies before you open. A neighboring-state comparison can help if you operate across the Missouri-Kansas line.

A practical way to find every license you need is to work through three levels in order: federal (only certain industries, such as alcohol, firearms, or transportation), state (the Department of Revenue tax registrations plus any professional or occupational board license), and local (your city and county business license and zoning or home-occupation permits). Zoning is easy to overlook - a home-based Missouri business may still need a home-occupation permit from its city. Keep copies of every license and renewal notice, because most local licenses and many professional licenses must be renewed annually, and lapses can bring fines or force a temporary shutdown.

Missouri Startup Costs and Agencies (2026)

The table summarizes the main state-level costs and agencies for a new Missouri business. Each amount is set by the state, not by any filing service, and should be verified against the current Secretary of State and Department of Revenue schedules before you file.

Item	Where	Cost (2026)	Agency
LLC Articles of Organization (online)	Business filings	$50	Secretary of State
Corporation Articles of Incorporation	Business filings	Per fee schedule	Secretary of State
Fictitious name registration	Business filings	Per fee schedule	Secretary of State
Federal EIN	Form SS-4	$0 (free)	IRS
Sales/use tax license	Form 2643 / MyTax	No fee (bond may apply)	Dept. of Revenue
Employer withholding account	Form 2643 / MyTax	No fee	Dept. of Revenue
Local business license	City/county clerk	Varies	Local government

After registering, open a business bank account (banks typically ask for the stamped formation document and the EIN), keep your registered agent current, and file your Missouri and federal tax returns on time. When you eventually wind down, follow the steps to dissolve the entity so tax and filing obligations stop. Budget for recurring costs too: registered agent service if you hire one, business insurance, and local license renewals are the ongoing items most new Missouri owners forget to plan for.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to start a business in Missouri?

It depends on the entity. Filing LLC Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State costs $50 online (higher by paper). A federal EIN is free, and sales tax and withholding registration has no state fee, though a sales tax bond may apply.

Does Missouri require a general state business license?

No. Missouri has no single statewide general business license. Many cities and counties require a local business or merchant's license, and certain professions require state licenses from their regulating boards.

Do I have to register with the Missouri Secretary of State?

LLCs and corporations must register by filing formation documents. A sole proprietor using their own legal name does not, but should file a fictitious name registration if operating under a different name.

How do I register for Missouri sales tax?

Register with the Missouri Department of Revenue using the Missouri Tax Registration Application (Form 2643) or the online MyTax Missouri portal. Retailers must register before making sales and may need to post a bond.

Does a Missouri LLC file an annual report?

No. Missouri does not require LLCs to file annual reports or pay an annual report fee. Missouri corporations must file an annual registration report with the Secretary of State.

Do I need an EIN to start a Missouri business?

You need a free EIN if your business has employees, is a multi-member LLC, or is taxed as a corporation or partnership. A single-member LLC with no employees can often use the owner's Social Security number.

Sources

Missouri Secretary of State - Business Services: Corporations Division (LLC and corporation registration).
Missouri Secretary of State - Starting a Business in Missouri.
Missouri Secretary of State - Limited Liability Companies (Articles of Organization; no annual report).
Missouri Secretary of State - Business Entity Search (name availability).
Missouri Department of Revenue - Business Tax overview.
Missouri Department of Revenue - Sales and Use Tax (retailer registration).
Missouri Department of Revenue - Employer Withholding Tax.
Missouri Department of Revenue - MyTax Missouri Business Registration (Form 2643).
Missouri Revised Statutes - Chapter 347, Limited Liability Companies.
Missouri Revised Statutes - Chapter 417, Fictitious Name Registration.
IRS - Get an Employer Identification Number (free EIN).
IRS - Limited Liability Company (LLC) (federal default classification).
IRS - Business Structures.
U.S. Small Business Administration - Register Your Business.
Cornell Legal Information Institute - Limited Liability Company (LLC).

LegalGlass provides general information for educational purposes and is not a law firm or a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney or tax professional. Laws, fees, and thresholds change; verify current requirements with the Missouri Secretary of State and Missouri Department of Revenue before acting.