Missouri LLC

1. Name Your Missouri LLC

Choosing a strong and compliant business name is the first step. Your LLC name is your brand identity, and it's critical to get it right.

Steps to Choose a Name:

Clarify Your Business Concept: Know exactly what your business offers, your target audience, and your niche. This will guide creative and practical naming.
Ask for Feedback: Friends, family, or business mentors can provide useful perspectives and creative suggestions.
Search Online: Check if the domain name is available, and search Google to ensure there are no similar businesses that could cause confusion.
Use a Business Name Generator: Tools like Namelix or Shopify's generator can spark ideas but cannot replace human creativity.

Missouri Naming Rules:

Must include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C."
Cannot contain words suggesting it is a government agency.
Cannot include restricted words like "bank," "insurance," or "university" without state approval.
Must be distinguishable from all other registered business names in Missouri.

Name Availability:

Perform a business name search on the Missouri Secretary of State website.
Check with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to ensure your name isn't trademarked nationally.

Name Reservation:

Missouri allows you to reserve a name for 180 days.

Fee: $25
Process: Submit online via the Secretary of State portal or mail in a paper application.

Doing Business As (DBA):

Missouri refers to a DBA as a fictitious name. Reasons to register a DBA include:

Adding new product lines under a different brand.
Opening a separate business bank account under a recognizable name.

Fee: $7
Process: File online or by mail with the Secretary of State.

2. Select a Registered Agent

Every Missouri LLC must appoint a registered agent who can receive legal, tax, and financial documents.

Requirements for a Registered Agent in Missouri:

Must be 18 years or older.
Must have a physical address in Missouri.
Must be available during standard business hours.
If a business entity, it must be registered to operate in Missouri.

Many LLC owners hire a professional registered agent service for convenience and compliance. Acting as your own agent is possible but requires constant availability at the registered address.

3. Determine Your Management Structure

Missouri LLCs can be member-managed or manager-managed:

Member-Managed:

All members participate in daily operations and decision-making. Best for small LLCs where all members are active.

Manager-Managed:

Designated managers handle daily operations; members may be passive. Ideal for larger LLCs with silent investors.

Missouri requires you to specify your management structure in the Articles of Organization.

4. File Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State

This step officially forms your LLC. Filing can be done online or by mail.

Required Information:

LLC name
Principal business address
Registered agent name and address
Organizer's name and address
LLC purpose (a brief description of your business activities)
Member-Managed or Manager-Managed structure

Fee: $105 online
Processing time: Online filings are typically immediate; mail filings can take 2–3 weeks.

Contact Information:

Missouri Secretary of State
600 West Main Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone: (573) 751-4936
Email: Info@sos.mo.gov

5. Draft an Operating Agreement

Missouri law requires every LLC to adopt an operating agreement. It is not filed with the state, but it is a legal document defining the internal rules of your LLC.

Key Elements:

Members' ownership percentages
Profit and loss distribution
Voting rights and decision-making process
Management roles and responsibilities
Procedures for selling or transferring membership interests
Rules for adding or removing members
Dispute resolution and other internal policies

Having a detailed operating agreement can prevent conflicts and provide clarity in legal disputes. Consulting an attorney is highly recommended.

6. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

An EIN is required for tax purposes if your LLC has multiple members or hires employees.

Process: Apply directly on the IRS website.
The responsible party must be a natural person controlling the LLC's finances.

Your EIN is needed to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes.

7. Obtain Business Licenses and Permits

LLCs in Missouri may require federal, state, and local licenses depending on the industry:

Federal: OSHA permits, health licenses, and other industry-specific approvals.
State: Professional licenses via the Division of Professional Registration, sales tax license for tangible goods, and any specific state permits.
Local: City or county permits, building and zoning approvals, fire safety permits, and signage permits.

Operating without the proper licenses can lead to fines, penalties, or even forced closure.

8. Determine Your Tax Status

By default, Missouri LLCs are pass-through entities:

Single-Member LLC:

Taxed like a sole proprietorship; profits reported on Schedule C. Self-employment taxes apply.

Multi-Member LLC:

Taxed as a partnership; file Form 1065, with income passed to members' personal returns.

Optional Corporate Tax Election:

C-Corporation: LLC taxed at corporate level (21%), dividends subject to individual taxation ("double taxation").
S-Corporation: Pass-through taxation with payroll requirements for members; potential savings on self-employment taxes.

Choosing the right tax election can optimize your personal and business tax outcomes. Consulting a CPA is recommended.

9. Open a Business Bank Account

Separate business and personal finances to protect your liability and simplify accounting. Required documents typically include:

Articles of Organization
EIN
Operating Agreement

10. Apply for a Business Credit Card

Helps establish business credit and manage cash flow. Proper use improves creditworthiness for loans and lines of credit.

11. Get Business Insurance

Insurance protects your investment and mitigates risk. Common policies:

General Liability: Covers injuries and property damage
Professional Liability (E&O): Protects against claims from mistakes in your services
Workers' Compensation: For employee injuries
Commercial Property: Covers equipment, office space, and supplies
Equipment Breakdown: Covers mechanical failures
Commercial Auto: Covers vehicles owned by the business
Business Owner's Policy (BOP): Combines multiple coverage types for convenience

12. Maintain LLC Records and Reporting

Keep copies of all formation documents, operating agreements, contracts, and licenses in a safe location.

Missouri Annual Reporting:

No general annual reporting for LLCs
Keep registered agent and business information updated

Missouri LLC FAQs

Name reservation: $25; Articles of Organization filing: $105; Fictitious name (DBA) registration: $7; Business licenses: Vary by industry and locality; Annual reports: $45 by paper, $20 online.

Use the Missouri Secretary of State Business Entity Search. You can search by business name, registered agent, or charter number.

File a Registration of Fictitious Name online or by mail, paying $7. This allows your LLC to operate under multiple business names without creating separate entities.

Online filings: Immediate confirmation. Mail filings: 3–4 weeks plus mailing time.

Keep registered agent information current. Update business address or member details as needed. Missouri does not require annual reports for domestic LLCs.

Yes, if you are a Missouri resident with a physical address available during business hours. Professional services are optional but convenient.

Yes. It is mandatory under Missouri law to establish member rights, management responsibilities, and internal operating rules, though it is not filed with the state.

By default, LLCs are pass-through entities. Additional taxes may include: Sales tax on goods or services (currently 4.225% state rate + local), Withholding tax if employing staff, Unemployment tax for employees, Optional corporate taxation if elected.

How to Start Your Own LLC in Missouri