Missouri LLC formation costs

Forming an LLC in Missouri costs just $50 online ($105 by mail), making it among America's most affordable states. The real savings come from what Missouri doesn't charge: no annual reports, franchise taxes, or ongoing compliance fees, keeping long-term costs minimal.

Hidden state-level costs are rare, no publication requirements, mandatory attorney fees, or escalating taxes. You need a registered agent for receiving legal papers, and professional services help with multi-member LLCs or complex tax situations.

Required Missouri LLC formation costs

Optional formation costs

Beyond Missouri's minimal mandatory fees, several optional services can streamline your formation process or provide long-term operational benefits.

1. Professional services

Attorney fees for formation assistance typically range from $500–$2,500, depending on complexity and customization needs. Additionally, an accountant consultation for initial tax planning runs $100–$500 and often prevents costly mistakes once operational. 

Finally, business formation services offer middle-ground solutions at $49–$399 plus state fees.

2. Additional filings 

Depending on your needs, your LLC may incur additional costs due to extra filings. These filings include the following: 

• Name reservation: Costs $25 and holds your chosen name for 60 days, which is useful when finalizing funding or partnerships. You can renew the reservation twice for up to 180 days total. 
• Expedited processing: This isn't available in Missouri, but online filing provides immediate confirmation. 
• Fictitious name filing: DBA registration for fictitious names costs $7 per filing.
• Certified copies: $10 each (plus $0.50 per page for paper copies) when banks or lenders need verification of your LLC's existence and good standing.
• EIN: Free from the IRS directly, avoid services that charge for this basic federal tax identification number.
• Local licensing: Costs vary widely by city and industry, typically $25–$150 annually for basic business operations.

Missouri's military veterans receive a significant benefit: active-duty military members and National Guard can qualify for a complete waiver of the $51 filing fee through the Startups for Soldiers Program.

Ongoing annual costs

Missouri offers one of the most business-friendly ongoing compliance environments in the United States. Unlike most states that impose annual reporting requirements and franchise taxes, Missouri keeps your recurring expenses minimal and predictable.

• Missouri annual report: Not required, Missouri LLCs face no state-mandated annual filing obligations
• Missouri franchise tax/annual fee: No franchise tax imposed on LLCs, providing significant long-term savings compared to states like California ($800 annually) or Delaware (minimum $300)
• Registered agent fees: Typically around $40 annually in Missouri if using a professional service for privacy protection and reliable document handling
• Local business licenses: Annual renewals vary by municipality and industry, typically $25–$150 for basic operations
• Professional services: Accounting and legal support as needed for tax filings, compliance guidance, or business changes

Missouri's lack of annual state-level fees makes it particularly attractive for holding companies and businesses seeking to minimize administrative overhead. This advantage compounds annually, while other states collect hundreds or thousands in recurring fees, Missouri LLCs maintain good standing without state-imposed financial obligations.

FAQs about LLC formation costs in Missouri

Are there any hidden fees when forming an LLC?

Missouri is remarkably transparent. The $51 online filing fee covers your Articles of Organization, and the state doesn't impose surprise charges for processing, publication, or annual compliance. Hidden costs typically come from optional services like registered agents or professional formation assistance.

Can I get a refund if my filing is rejected?

No. Missouri considers the filing fee payment for processing, not approval. Double-check all information before submitting, as rejected filings forfeit the $51 fee and require resubmission with another payment.

Can I avoid registered agent fees legally?

Yes, if you maintain a Missouri physical address and stay available during business hours to accept legal documents. This saves money but sacrifices privacy, as your home address becomes public record.

Simplify Missouri LLC formation costs with Discern

Discern automates Missouri LLC formation while providing professional registered agent services and compliance tracking across all 51 jurisdictions. When you're ready to expand beyond Missouri, our platform seamlessly handles multi-state formations and ongoing compliance management. 

Ready to simplify Missouri LLC compliance? Book a demo with Discern today.