Missouri LLC Cost (2026): $50 Online and No Annual Report
Missouri may be the simplest cost picture in the country. You pay $50 once to file online, and then the state asks for nothing every year: no annual report, no franchise tax, no renewal fee. Only a handful of states come close. The catch is that the paper route more than doubles the price, and “no annual report” does not mean no obligations at all.
$50 Online vs $105 on Paper
Missouri LLCs are formed by filing Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State. Filing online costs $50. Filing the same form on paper costs $105. There is no reason to mail it unless you cannot use the online system, and paper filings take longer to process.
Electronic payments carry a small convenience fee that goes to the payment processor, not the state. Active-duty military members, including the Missouri National Guard, may qualify to form a business with the filing fees waived.
If you want to hold your LLC name before filing, Missouri allows a name reservation for 60 days, renewable twice for up to 180 days total.
Northwest Registered Agent
Missouri publishes your registered agent address in its business search. $39 formation + $50 state fee, free registered agent for year one, then $125/yr.
$39 formation fee · Free registered agent for 12 months · Your address stays off public records · No data selling · No hidden fees
Form Your LLC with Northwest ($39) →Lowest 3-year cost we found: Northwest $289 vs Bizee $298 vs ZenBusiness $497 (service fees; state fees extra). Northwest also puts its address on your public filings instead of yours where the state allows.
No Annual Report: What That Really Means
Missouri corporations file annual reports, but Missouri LLCs do not. After the articles are approved, the Secretary of State does not require any periodic filing to keep the LLC active. That is why the DIY column in the table below shows $0 for years 2 and 3.
What you do still have to maintain is a registered agent with a Missouri address. If your agent resigns or moves and you do not update the record, the LLC can fall out of good standing. Changing the agent or amending the articles is done by filing with the Secretary of State.
The lack of a yearly filing also means the state’s record of your LLC can go stale. If your address, managers, or members change, nothing forces an update, so keeping the public record accurate is on you.
The Small Fees You Might Still Pay
- Fictitious name: to do business under a name other than the LLC’s legal name, you register a fictitious name with the Secretary of State for $7. Missouri law requires the registration within five days of starting to use the name, and it must be renewed every five years, also for $7.
- Amendment: changing the LLC’s legal name or other details in the articles costs $25.
- Certificate of good standing: banks and landlords sometimes ask for one. The Secretary of State’s fee schedule lists it at $10.
Taxes a Missouri LLC Does Owe
Missouri has no franchise tax on LLCs. By default, profit passes through to the owners, who report it on their Missouri individual income tax returns. If you sell taxable goods, you register with the Department of Revenue to collect sales tax, and local jurisdictions may require their own business licenses. Those depend on your city and county, not on the LLC itself.
Missouri 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $89 ($50 online + $39, RA free) | $125 (no annual report + $125 RA) | $125 (same) | $339 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $149 ($50 + $0 + $99 RA) | $199 ($199 RA) | $199 (same) | $547 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $50 (Articles of Organization, online) | $0 (no annual report) | $0 (no annual report) | $50 |
A DIY Missouri LLC costs $50 in state fees over three years, which is as low as it gets. Almost the entire $289 difference with Northwest Registered Agent is registered agent service after year one, which is what keeps your home address off the public record.
Form your Missouri LLC for $39 + $50 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders, and your home address kept off public records.
Form My Missouri LLC for $39
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
When a Missouri LLC may not be worth it yet: with a $50 one-time cost, price is almost never the reason to wait. The better question is whether you have anything to protect yet. Once you have customers or signed contracts, it is an easy decision.
Why I Choose Northwest Registered Agent
After forming 3 LLCs myself and helping clients through the process, I keep coming back to Northwest Registered Agent. Here is why:
- Remarkable Customer Support: Quick, human responses every time.
- Caring & Privacy-Focused: Genuine service with full respect for your privacy.
- Lightning-Fast Formation: Often faster than promised.
- Incredible Value: $39 includes a free business address, mail scanning, and more.
- Clear & Transparent: No hidden fees or surprises.
Ready to form your business? Choose Northwest today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Missouri?
$50 to file Articles of Organization online, or $105 on paper. With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $89, including a free first year of registered agent service.
Does Missouri require an annual report for LLCs?
No. Missouri LLCs do not file annual reports and pay no annual state fee to stay active.
How much is a DBA in Missouri?
A fictitious name registration costs $7 and must be renewed every five years for another $7.
Does Missouri have a franchise tax on LLCs?
No. Missouri LLCs pay no franchise tax. Profit passes through to the owners’ Missouri income tax returns by default.
