How To Start An LLC In Missouri In 2024

If you want to start a business in Missouri, an LLC, short for a limited liability company, can offer valuable legal protections and the potential to save on taxes. While some may think it’s difficult to start an LLC, it’s possible to do so independently. If you’re seeking professional help, an LLC formation company can take care of the registration on your behalf, often for free.

Either way, it is helpful to know the steps for forming your Missouri LLC so you can ensure they are completed as required. Here are the seven steps to start an LLC in Missouri:

• Select your LLC business name.
• Choose a registered agent.
• Create an operating agreement.
• Submit your LLC articles of organization.
• Get an employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS.
• Register with state agencies to pay applicable taxes.
• Obtain location- and industry-based business licenses and permits.

Featured LLC service offers

ZenBusiness

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7 steps to start an LLC in Missouri

1. Select your LLC business name

Before you file LLC formation paperwork, you’ll need a name for your new business. As you brainstorm a business name, keep in mind that it must be unique from other business names registered in Missouri and it must be marketable. To learn more about how to name your LLC, read our LLC naming guide.

Once you’ve come up with an appropriate business name, you must ensure it is available for use. To do so, search for name availability using the Missouri Secretary of State’s business entity database. It is also a good idea to ensure your chosen name is not protected nationally from infringement. You can do so by running the name through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s trademark database. If your chosen name appears in either of these databases, you must choose another one and try again until you find one that is available.

Normally, you can register your chosen name with your business formation paperwork. However, if you aren’t ready to officially form your LLC, you can reserve the name for 60 days by filling out and mailing an application for reservation of name form. A name reservation costs $25. You can renew the reservation two more times for a total of 180 days if you are not ready to form your LLC upon the reservation’s expiration.

2. Choose a registered agent

A registered agent is a person or business designated to receive legal and tax notices on your LLCs behalf. If a process server needs to deliver paperwork to you informing you of a lawsuit against your LLC, for example, they would deliver the forms to your registered agent.

You can act as the registered agent for your business, but many people choose to hire a professional registered agent service provider instead. This is because serving as a registered agent can be a burdensome role and, if done incorrectly, can lead to penalties against your LLC.

We have created a registered agent guide to walk you through what this requirement entails and your options for fulfilling it. Our best registered agent service list can also help you find the best registered agent for your LLC if you choose to outsource this role.

3. Create an operating agreement

Missouri requires all registered LLCs within the state to have an operating agreement. An operating agreement lays out the operating, management and financial rules of your LLC. It can serve to protect your LLC in court, override state rules that are contrary to your LLC’s best interests, help you resolve member disputes to avoid LLC dissolution and help you complete key business tasks, such as obtaining business funding.

We created an LLC operating agreement guide to help you draft and finalize your operating agreement. It also walks you through the do’s and don’ts of ensuring your operating agreement adequately protects your LLC and meets its needs.

You don’t have to write an entire operating agreement from scratch. You can use a template and update it with your company’s details. RocketLawer, for example, offers LLC operating agreement templates that can make the drafting process much easier. 

However, your operating agreement should be unique to your LLC. So, while these templates are a good first step, you should finalize the document with the help of a business lawyer, such as those offered by Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom.

4. Submit your LLC articles of organization

LLC articles of organization forms are used to legally create an LLC in a state. To file your articles of organization in Missouri, you must create a Missouri online business filing system account. Once logged in, you can file the forms to create your LLC online. Missouri offers detailed instructions (with screenshots) for filing your articles of organization using this system.

When filing online, your filing fee is $50 (compared to $105 when filing by mail). You will also have to pay a convenience fee of 2% plus $0.25 if paying by credit card.

We have created an LLC articles of organization guide to walk you through what you’ll need to complete an LLC articles of organization form. If this form seems like too much work or you’re worried about making mistakes, learn more about the best LLC creation services. Many of these providers will fill out and submit this form for your LLC for free.

New LLC reporting requirement alert 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has implemented a new reporting requirement for all non-exempt LLCs starting on January 1, 2024. 

The requirement is called the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report and it is estimated to only take about 20 minutes to complete. 

Here’s what you need to know:

• LLCs formed before January 1, 2024 have until January 1, 2025 to file.
• LLCs formed between January 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025 have 90 days to file from the confirmed date of the businesses’ registration.
• New LLCs formed after January 1, 2025 will have 30 days to file from the confirmed date of formation.

For all details, FAQs and to file, visit FinCEN’s BOI website. 

5. Get an EIN from the IRS

An employer identification number (EIN) is a nine-digit number assigned to businesses by the IRS to identify the entity for tax and other financial purposes. For example, before opening a bank account or filing business taxes, you must get an employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS.

Fortunately, this process is quick and free to complete. You can apply online from Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST. In most cases, you’ll get your EIN instantly on the provided confirmation page.

We’ve created an EIN guide where you can learn more about what an EIN is, how to apply for one and how to use one to benefit your LLC.

6. Register with state agencies to pay applicable taxes

Most LLCs must register their businesses with the Missouri Department of Revenue, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Division of Employment Security. This applies to your LLC if your business must pay any of the following types of tax:

• Sales tax.
• Vendor’s use tax.
• Consumer’s use tax.
• Withholding tax.
• Unemployment tax.
• Tire and lead acid battery tax/fee.

To register with both entities, use your EIN to register your business with the Missouri Department of Revenue. This registration portal was formed through a partnership between the Missouri Department of Revenue and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to allow businesses to register for and pay all these tax types through one portal.

To learn more about state taxes, read our state tax ID number guide.

7. Obtain location- and industry-based business licenses and permits

Depending on your business location and activities, you may need to obtain city, county or state permits and licenses to operate your business. For example, LLCs in the medical, architecture, surveying, engineering, real estate and combat sports industries must obtain relevant permits to operate in Missouri. You may also have to contact your county clerk to learn about licenses or permits based on your LLC’s operating location.

To learn more about your professional licensing requirements, visit the Missouri Division of Professional Registration page and search for your business’s industry. In addition, our business licenses guide offers information on how to obtain the professional and location-based business licenses you may need to operate your Missouri LLC.

Featured LLC service offers

ZenBusiness

Learn More

Via ZenBusiness’ website

Free version available

Yes

Lowest published package price

$199

Live chat

Yes: Human

LegalZoom

Learn More

Via LegalZoom’s website

Free version available

Yes

Lowest published package price

$249

Live chat

Yes

Northwest Registered Agent

Learn More

Via Northwest’s website

Free version available

No

Lowest published package price

$39

Live chat

Yes

Find the best LLC services for Missouri: Best LLC creation services

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