Here's what you need in Mississippi
Official state business portal: MS.GOV Business in Mississippi. The state's official MS.GOV business page links to the Secretary of State's Business One Stop Shop, tax registration, license search and other services for starting a business.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseMississippi does not appear to have one license for every business, but we could not find an official state page that says so. Check the state board for your trade and your city or county. | Mississippi Secretary of State | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCCertificate of Formation. File a Certificate of Formation with the Mississippi Secretary of State through the online business filing system. The LLC must also file an annual report. | Mississippi Secretary of State | $50 filing fee | Applyat corp.sos.ms.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Trade name (doing business as). We could not find an official Mississippi page that explains how to register a trade name, and the Secretary of State fee list has no trade name filing. Ask the Secretary of State and your county before you use a business name. | Mississippi Secretary of State | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitBefore you sell taxable goods or services in Mississippi, register with the Department of Revenue for a sales tax permit through TAP. You need a separate permit for each location, and it does not need renewal. | Mississippi Department of Revenue | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat dor.ms.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment tax employer registration. Most businesses must register with MDES and pay unemployment tax once they pay a set amount of wages in a quarter or have a worker in 20 different weeks of a year. You can register online. | Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) | You pay tax on wages | Applyat mdes.ms.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in Mississippi pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual ReportEvery Mississippi LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State each year. A Mississippi LLC pays no fee for it. | Mississippi Secretary of State | Free | Applyat sos.ms.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or county may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonSalon license. Beauty salons and barber shops are licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. We could not open the board website, so the license rules and fee are not yet checked. | Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeChild care facility license. Child care in Mississippi is licensed by the State Department of Health. We could not open the official page, so the rules for home child care and the fee are not yet checked. | Mississippi State Department of Health, Child Care Licensing | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)On premises retailer permit. Restaurants, bars and hotels that serve liquor or wine need an on premises retailer permit from ABC, applied for online through TAP. The fee includes state and local license taxes; beer and light wine are covered by separate laws. | Mississippi Department of Revenue, Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) | $925 for a restaurant or bar (wine only: $475) | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorCommercial or residential contractor license. Commercial contractors and residential builders or remodelers need a license from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors for many jobs. Check with the board which jobs need a license. | Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) | $400 commercial application, $50 residential application | Applyat msboc.usSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Cottage food operation. Mississippi lets people sell some homemade foods without a food permit under its cottage food rules. We could not open the official page, so the rules and the yearly sales limit are not yet checked. | Mississippi State Department of Health | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Mississippi
- At $50, the LLC filing fee is among the lowest: only 3 of 49 verified states charge less.
- Contractor licensing in Mississippi: Commercial contractors and residential builders or remodelers need a license from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors for many jobs. Check with the board which jobs need a license.
- Annual Report: Free. Every Mississippi LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State each year. A Mississippi LLC pays no fee for it.
Steps to start a business in Mississippi
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Certificate of Formation with the Mississippi Secretary of State ($50).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the Mississippi Secretary of State.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Mississippi Department of Revenue before your first sale.
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and county permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES).
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Mississippi can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and county clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
Questions about business licenses in Mississippi
Do I need a business license in Mississippi?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the Mississippi Secretary of State.
How much is an LLC in Mississippi?
The Mississippi Secretary of State charges $50 filing fee to file the Certificate of Formation. File a Certificate of Formation with the Mississippi Secretary of State through the online business filing system. The LLC must also file an annual report.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Mississippi?
Annual Report: Free. Every Mississippi LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State each year. A Mississippi LLC pays no fee for it.
Does an LLC need a business license in Mississippi?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in Mississippi still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or county.
Do I need a sales tax permit in Mississippi?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. Before you sell taxable goods or services in Mississippi, register with the Department of Revenue for a sales tax permit through TAP. You need a separate permit for each location, and it does not need renewal.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Mississippi?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Do contractors need a state license in Mississippi?
Commercial contractors and residential builders or remodelers need a license from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors for many jobs. Check with the board which jobs need a license. Official fee: $400 commercial application, $50 residential application.
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license Mississippi Secretary of State Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Mississippi Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Mississippi Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Mississippi Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Mississippi State Department of Health, Child Care Licensing Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Mississippi Department of Revenue, Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026