Missouri is one of the cheapest, lowest-maintenance states to run an LLC in: a $50 filing fee, no franchise tax, and no annual report to remember every year. Here's what it takes to start a business in Missouri in 2026.
1. Which business structure fits you?
Before you file anything, it helps to know what you're actually choosing between.
- Sole proprietorship. No filing required to start, and you and the business are legally the same entity. Simple, but you're personally liable for whatever the business owes.
- Partnership. Two or more people running a business together, with the same liability exposure as a sole proprietorship, just split across partners.
- LLC. The most common structure for small businesses in Missouri. It separates your personal assets from the business's debts and lawsuits.
- Corporation, either S-corp or C-corp. More paperwork and more formality, usually worth it once you're bringing on investors or multiple shareholders.
For a deeper comparison, see our guide on choosing a business structure.
LLCs and corporations register with the Missouri Secretary of State, the agency that handles business filings statewide. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships don't register there.
2. Register your business
Forming an LLC
You form an LLC in Missouri by filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. The filing fee is $50 online or $105 by mail, and online filings are typically approved within a few business days.
Every LLC needs a registered agent with a physical Missouri address, available during business hours. You can act as your own agent, or hire a commercial service. Active-duty military members are exempt from formation fees entirely.
Missouri doesn't require an operating agreement by law, but it's still worth writing one, particularly for multi-member LLCs, to spell out how decisions and profits get split.
Sole proprietorships and DBAs
Sole proprietorships don't file with the Secretary of State. If you're operating under a fictitious name, you'll register it directly with the Secretary of State for a small fee, which in Missouri is a state-level filing rather than a county one.
3. Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number is free straight from the IRS and takes about 15 minutes online. You'll need one to open a business bank account, hire anyone, or file most business tax forms, even if you're a single-member LLC with no employees.
4. Check licenses and permits
Missouri doesn't issue a single general statewide business license either. What you need depends on your industry and city: professional licensing for regulated fields, local licenses in some cities, and a retail sales license from the Department of Revenue if you sell taxable goods. Our guides on professional licensing by industry and zoning laws for home businesses cover more of this.
5. Understand Missouri taxes
Missouri has a graduated personal income tax, from 2% up to 4.95% at the top. Pass-through LLCs owe no separate franchise tax; the state eliminated its corporate franchise tax back in 2016. If your LLC elects corporate treatment, the corporate income tax rate is a flat 4%.
Sales tax starts at a 4.225% state base, one of the lower state-level rates, but local additions can push combined rates above 10% in cities like St. Louis and Kansas City.
6. Stay compliant
This is the short section, because Missouri is one of the few states that doesn't require LLCs to file an annual report at all, and there's no associated fee. Your ongoing obligations come down to keeping a registered agent on file and staying current on whatever state taxes actually apply to your business.
Missouri business costs at a glance
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (LLC) | $50 online / $105 mail |
| Annual report | Not required |
| Registered agent service (optional) | $50 to $200/year |
| EIN | Free (IRS) |
| State income tax | 2% to 4.95% (progressive) |
| State sales tax | 4.225% + local, up to ~10%+ |
Frequently asked questions
Does Missouri require an annual report for LLCs?
No, Missouri is one of the few states with no annual report requirement at all, and no associated fee.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Missouri?
$50 online or $105 by mail, with online filings typically approved within a few business days.
What's the personal income tax rate in Missouri?
Graduated, from 2% up to 4.95% at the top.
How high is sales tax in Missouri?
A 4.225% state base, but local additions can push combined rates above 10% in cities like St. Louis and Kansas City.
Are active-duty military members exempt from Missouri's LLC formation fee?
Yes, active-duty military members are exempt from formation fees entirely.
Fees and rates above come from the Missouri Secretary of State and Department of Revenue as of 2026, and they do change over time, so double check before you file. None of this is legal or tax advice. Talk to a Missouri-licensed attorney or CPA about your specific situation.