Forming an LLC in
Missouri MO
Checked November 4, 2026 · How we score
Filing fee
$50
Articles of Organization
Annual fee
$0
per year, normalised
State income tax
4.7%
top rate
Cost rank
#3
of 51, first-year fees
Missouri LLC costs
| Filing fee | $50 |
|---|---|
| Annual report / franchise fee | $0 No annual report for LLCs; just file annual tax returns. |
| First-year state fees | $50 |
| Registered agent | Required (about $50–$300/year if you don't use your own address in the state) |
| Newspaper publication | No |
| Anonymous ownership | Yes |
| Processing time | 3 days |
Missouri taxes for LLCs
| Personal income tax (top) | 4.7% Graduated up to 4.7%; capital gains exempt from state income tax for 2025 onward. |
|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 4% Flat 4% on net income. |
| State sales tax | 4.22% |
| Franchise / gross receipts | No franchise tax for LLCs; local earnings taxes apply in St. Louis and Kansas City. |
A single-member LLC is a disregarded entity: profit flows to the owner's personal return. Federal income tax applies in every state. Non-US owners without US-source business income generally owe no US income tax but must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma 1120 each year.
Pros and cons
Why form in Missouri
- $50 formation and $0 annual report
- Members' names aren't required on the Articles
- Capital gains exempt from Missouri income tax
Watch out for
- St. Louis and Kansas City charge a 1% earnings tax
- Fewer court precedents than Delaware
Best for: Low-cost LLCs with no ongoing reports · Midwestern small businesses
Missouri LLC: common questions
How much does an LLC cost in Missouri?
Filing the Articles of Organization in Missouri costs $50. After that, expect $0 (Missouri has no annual report for LLCs). No annual report for LLCs; just file annual tax returns. A commercial registered agent, if you need one, is typically $50–$300 a year extra.
Do I need a registered agent in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri requires every LLC to keep a registered agent with a physical street address in the state to accept legal and tax notices. You can act as your own agent if you live there, but non-residents and owners who want privacy usually pay a commercial agent, typically $50–$300 a year.
Can a non-US resident form an LLC in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri does not require US citizenship, residency or an SSN to own an LLC; you need a Missouri registered agent address and then an EIN from the IRS (by fax or mail with Form SS-4 if you have no SSN). A foreign-owned single-member LLC must also file Form 5472 with the IRS every year, even with no US income. Missouri does not list members or managers in its public formation documents. US-formed LLCs are exempt from FinCEN beneficial ownership (BOI) reporting after the March 2025 interim rule; only entities formed under foreign law and registered in the US must still report.
Does Missouri have a state income tax?
Yes. Graduated up to 4.7%; capital gains exempt from state income tax for 2025 onward. LLC profits normally pass through to the owners' personal returns. Corporate income tax: Flat 4% on net income.
Does Missouri require an annual report for LLCs?
No. Missouri LLCs are not required to file an annual report with the Secretary of State, and there is no annual state fee for keeping the LLC active. You still file state and federal tax returns.
Sources
Missouri Secretary of State business filings
- Missouri Secretary of State / business filing office
- Tax Foundation – 2026 state income tax rates
- LLC University – LLC filing and annual fees by state (cross-check)
Similar states
Not tax or legal advice. Rates and rules change; we check official sources and update every page, but verify with a licensed adviser in the country before acting. Spotted something out of date? Use the correction form below.