Form an LLC in Missouri: Total Cost & Filing Steps (2026)

Launching Your Missouri LLC: The $50, Five-Year Baseline

Imagine launching your startup and locking in your state-level LLC costs for five years at just $50. In Missouri, that's not just possible, it's the standard. Forming a Limited Liability Company in Missouri involves a single $50 fee for online Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. What makes Missouri truly stand out, however, is the complete absence of ongoing state-level fees, including no annual reports, no franchise taxes, and no recurring LLC charges. This means your initial $50 investment can literally cover your state filing costs for half a decade. For context, only New Mexico offers a comparable five-year baseline at the same price point. This fixed fee, codified in RSMo § 347.179, has remained constant since 2017.

The Quick Rundown

To establish an LLC in Missouri, you'll submit Articles of Organization to the Missouri Secretary of State. The online filing fee is $50, while a paper submission costs $105. Crucially, after this initial step, Missouri imposes no annual or biennial reporting requirements, no franchise tax, and no privilege tax at the entity level.

For LLCs structured as pass-through entities, profits are reported on individual Missouri state tax returns, subject to the state's flat 4.7% rate. This rate was reduced from 5.4% in 2024, thanks to Senate Bill 3. It's worth noting that Missouri abolished its corporate franchise tax in 2016 through House Bill 1455. LLCs were never subject to this tax, even before its repeal, as the prior statute (RSMo § 147.010) specifically limited its application to corporations.

A significant benefit for active-duty military personnel, under RSMo § 351.069, is a $0 formation fee, making it one of the most generous military exemption provisions nationwide. The trade-off for this cost-effectiveness is that Missouri statutes do not permit fully anonymous LLCs. Organizer and registered agent details become part of the public record. While member names aren't typically on the initial filing, they would appear on any optional Annual Registration Report filed by the LLC. Practically, using a commercial registered agent service that also acts as the organizer can provide a degree of member-level privacy at the state level. However, federal FinCEN BOI reporting (which is non-public) still mandates the disclosure of beneficial owners to the US Treasury. When purely considering the dollar cost over five years, Missouri, alongside New Mexico, offers the nation's most affordable LLC baseline at a total of $50.

Missouri LLC Cost Breakdown for 2026

Here's a detailed look at the potential expenses for your Missouri LLC:

All figures were confirmed on 2026-06-13, using official data from the Missouri Secretary of State and Department of Revenue.

Why Missouri Offers Such an Affordable LLC Structure

Missouri's cost-effectiveness for LLCs stems from three primary factors that work in combination:

• No Annual Report: Missouri is one of only four states, alongside Ohio, New Mexico, and Arizona, that does not require LLCs to file any form of periodic report. While an optional Annual Registration Report exists for record-keeping, it carries no fee and incurs no penalties for non-filing. This significantly reduces administrative burden and recurring costs.
• No Franchise Tax: The state eliminated its corporate franchise tax in January 2016 through House Bill 1455. Even before this repeal, LLCs were exempt, as the previous franchise tax statute (RSMo § 147.010) applied solely to corporations. This ensures no additional entity-level tax burden for your LLC.
• Low Online Filing Fee: The $50 online filing fee is among the lowest in the country, on par with states like Arkansas ($45), Kentucky ($40), and Hawaii ($51). Utilizing the Missouri Online Business Filing portal is the most economical route. The $105 paper filing fee includes the standard RSMo § 347.179 fee plus an extra charge for manual processing.

The primary recurring cost, if any, for a Missouri LLC isn't at the state level itself. It's the mandatory registered agent requirement, outlined in RSMo § 347.030. Every Missouri LLC must maintain a registered agent with a physical street address within the state. If you're not a Missouri resident or don't have a suitable physical address, you'll need to budget $50-$200 per year for a commercial registered agent service. This is the only mandatory ongoing expense for many founders.

Step-by-Step LLC Formation (DIY Approach)

Here's how to get your Missouri LLC up and running without relying on third-party services:

1. Choose a Name: Your first step is to select a name for your LLC. You can check its availability using the Missouri Business Entity Search. Remember, your chosen name must include "Limited Liability Company," "Limited Company," "LLC," "LC," "L.L.C.," or "L.C." Be aware that Missouri restricts the use of terms like "bank," "trust," or "insurance" without specific regulatory approval.
2. Designate a Registered Agent: As mandated by RSMo § 347.030, your LLC needs a registered agent. This agent must have a physical street address in Missouri, not a P.O. box, to receive legal and official correspondence on behalf of your business.
3. File Articles of Organization: Submit your Articles of Organization. The most affordable option is online filing through the SOS business portal for $50. Alternatively, you can mail a paper form for $105 to Corporations Division, P.O. Box 778, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
4. Obtain a Federal EIN: If your LLC has employees or is taxed as a corporation, you'll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. This is free and can be obtained quickly at irs.gov.
5. Draft an Operating Agreement: Missouri law (RSMo § 347.081) requires every LLC to have an operating agreement. While it's not filed with the state, this document is crucial for defining ownership, management, and operational procedures. Even single-member LLCs benefit from one. For multi-member entities or those with complex asset protection needs, professional legal drafting is often justified.
6. Register for State Taxes: If your business will sell tangible goods, you'll need to register for sales tax with the Missouri Department of Revenue. If you plan to hire W-2 employees, you'll also need to complete employer registration.
7. Open a Business Bank Account: Once your LLC is officially formed and you have your EIN, you can open a dedicated business bank account. Missouri banks, such as Commerce Bank, Central Bank, and UMB, typically require your Articles of Organization, EIN, and operating agreement to set up the account.
8. File Your FinCEN BOI Report: Under the Corporate Transparency Act, most new LLCs must file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN within 30 days of formation. This report discloses key information about the company's beneficial owners and is free to self-file at fincen.gov/boi.
9. Consider the Optional Annual Registration Report: This report is not mandatory, carries no fee, and skipping it incurs no penalty. Its main purpose is to keep your public record current, which can be useful but isn't a legal requirement.
10. Maintain Your Registered Agent: If you've hired a commercial registered agent service, remember to renew their contract annually. This typically costs $50-$200 per year.

Online filings are generally processed very quickly, often within the same business day or one business day. Missouri does not offer an expedite fee because its standard online processing is already exceptionally fast.

Key Missouri LLC Facts for Founders

• No Annual Report: Missouri is unique as one of only four states, alongside New Mexico, Ohio, and Arizona, that doesn't require annual or periodic reports for LLCs. Source: sos.mo.gov.
• Operating Agreement is Mandatory: Missouri is one of five states (California, Delaware, Maine, Missouri, New York) that legally mandate an operating agreement. RSMo § 347.081 stipulates that every LLC must have one, whether oral or written. For practical purposes, most banks and courts will require a written agreement.
• Military Fee Waiver: Active-duty service members can form an LLC in Missouri for $0. RSMo § 351.069 allows them to claim a fee waiver on the Articles of Organization, a substantial benefit. Source: Missouri Secretary of State Military Filer Page.
• Franchise Tax Repealed: Missouri's corporate franchise tax was phased out by HB 1455 in 2016. LLCs were never subject to this tax.
• No Publication Requirement: Unlike states such as Arizona, Nebraska, or New York, Missouri LLCs are not required to publish notice of their formation in a newspaper.
• Lower Personal Income Tax: Missouri reduced its top personal income tax rate from 5.4% to 4.7% in 2025 under Senate Bill 3 (2024 session), with plans for further reductions to 4.5% if revenue targets are met. This makes it one of the most attractive states for pass-through entities among those with an income tax.
• Rapid Online Processing: The bsd.sos.mo.gov portal typically processes online LLC filings within 1-4 hours during business days, significantly faster than many other state filing systems.

What Missouri's $50 Baseline Means Over Five Years

Understanding the long-term cost implications clarifies why Missouri's structure is so appealing:

• Year 1: Your initial online filing fee is $50. If you act as your own registered agent and have a Missouri address, your total cost for the first year remains $50.
• Years 2-5: There are no mandatory state filings or fees. No annual reports, no biennial reports, and no franchise tax. Your LLC simply needs to maintain its registered agent.
• Five-Year DIY Total: A flat $50.
• Five-Year Total with Commercial Registered Agent Service: Assuming a market rate of $120 per year for a commercial registered agent, your five-year cost would be $50 + ($120 * 5) = $650.
• Comparison to Other Affordable States: New Mexico also offers a $50 baseline with no annual fees. Ohio is around $99 with no annual fee, and Arizona is $50 with no annual fee. For founders prioritizing both affordability and privacy, Wyoming offers a strong combination, though its five-year cost is higher at $100 + ($60 * 5) = $400 (initial filing plus annual reports).

For a solo founder operating a service business and residing in Missouri, the state-level cost structure is exceptionally favorable. Other expenses, like obtaining an EIN (free from the IRS), securing an operating agreement template ($0-$99), or setting up a business bank account ($0-$15 per month, depending on the bank), are either federal or commercial decisions, not obligations imposed by the state of Missouri.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Missouri truly $50 total to form an LLC?

Yes, the initial online filing fee through the Missouri SOS business portal is $50. There are no annual reports, no franchise taxes, and no recurring state-level fees. The only ongoing expense is the registered agent requirement, which costs $0 if you serve as your own agent with a Missouri address, or $50-$200 per year if you engage a commercial service. The five-year DIY total is $50. This information is verified by sos.mo.gov, as of 2026-06-13.

Does Missouri require an annual report?

No, Missouri does not require LLCs to file an annual or biennial report. You can voluntarily file an optional Annual Registration Report for public record maintenance, but it comes with no fee and no penalties for skipping. Missouri is one of only four states (Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Arizona) that operate this way. Source: Missouri SOS Business Services.

Does Missouri have a franchise tax?

No, not for LLCs. Missouri's corporate franchise tax was repealed in January 2016 (HB 1455), and LLCs were never subject to it. LLCs structured as pass-through entities report income on the members' individual Missouri returns, subject to the state's flat 4.7% rate. LLCs electing C-corp status owe Missouri's 4% corporate income tax, which is one of the lowest in the country. Source: Missouri Department of Revenue Business Tax.

Is an operating agreement required in Missouri?

Yes. RSMo § 347.081 legally mandates that every Missouri LLC adopt an operating agreement. While the statute permits oral agreements, banks and courts almost universally require a written document. A written operating agreement is the standard expectation, whether you use a free SBA template, a $39-$99 online template, or an attorney-drafted version costing $400-$1,500. Source: RSMo Chapter 347.

How long does Missouri LLC formation take?

Online filings are typically processed either on the same day or within one business day. Paper filings usually take 3-5 business days. Missouri does not offer an expedite fee because its standard online turnaround is already very fast. Source: Missouri Online Business Filing portal.

Can I form an anonymous LLC in Missouri?

Not completely. Missouri requires the organizer's name and address, as well as the registered agent's name and address, to be publicly listed on the Articles of Organization. Member names are not typically included on the initial Articles. For maximum privacy regarding member identities, you can hire a commercial registered agent service and list them as both the organizer and the registered agent. This way, member names will not appear on any public Missouri filing. However, the federal FinCEN BOI report (which is not public) still requires disclosure of beneficial owners. Source: sos.mo.gov Business Filings.

Full data + interactive calculator: llcformationcost.com