Here's what you need in Missouri
Official state business portal: MO.gov Business. The State of Missouri business page links to the steps for starting a business, registering it, taxes and professional licensing.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. Missouri does not issue a general business license at the state level. Check with your city or county, which may require a local business license and permits. | Missouri Secretary of State | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization (Form LLC 1). File Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State to form an LLC. Filing online costs less than filing on paper. | Missouri Secretary of State | $50 online, $105 on paper | Applyat bsd.sos.mo.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Registration of Fictitious Name. If you do business under a name that is not your own true name, register it with the Missouri Secretary of State (state level). A registration lasts five years and can be renewed. | Missouri Secretary of State | $7 filing fee | Applyat bsd.sos.mo.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitMissouri Retail Sales Tax License. If you sell goods or taxable services, register with the Missouri Department of Revenue for a sales tax license. You can register online or with Form 2643. | Missouri Department of Revenue | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat dor.mo.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment Tax Registration. Once your business becomes liable for unemployment tax, tell the Division of Employment Security within 30 days. Register online, through UInteract or with the paper form; you then pay tax on wages. | Missouri Division of Employment Security | You pay tax on wages | Applyat uinteract.labor.mo.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 Missouri pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No annual report for LLCsMissouri LLCs do not file an annual report with the Secretary of State. | Missouri Secretary of State | Not needed | Applyat bsd.sos.mo.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 salonCosmetology Establishment License. Hair, nail and beauty salons need an establishment license from the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. The same board also licenses barber shops. | Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners | $100 for a shop with up to 3 operators | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeFamily Child Care Home License. You need a child care license if you care for more than 6 children, or more than 3 children under age 2, unless you qualify for an exemption. | Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Childhood | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Retail By the Drink License. Bars and restaurants that serve liquor need a by the drink license from the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Other license types, such as beer and light wine, have different fees. | Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control | $300 state fee for a full liquor by the drink license | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorGeneral contractor license. We could not yet confirm on an official page whether Missouri licenses general contractors at the state level. Check with your city or county building department. | Missouri Division of Professional Registration | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Cottage food production operation (RSMo 196.298). You can sell home baked goods, canned jams and jellies, and dried herbs made in your home kitchen without a health permit. Labels must say the food is not inspected, and online sales are only allowed within Missouri. | Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Missouri
- At $50, the LLC filing fee is among the lowest: only 3 of 49 verified states charge less.
- Business names (DBAs) are filed with the state, at the Missouri Secretary of State. At $7, the state DBA fee is among the lowest: only 2 of 33 verified states charge less.
- At $100, the salon or shop license fee is near the middle: 14 of 36 verified states charge less and 19 charge more.
Steps to start a business in Missouri
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization (Form LLC 1) with the Missouri 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 Missouri Secretary of State.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Missouri 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 Missouri Division of Employment Security.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Missouri 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.
In the biggest cities, ask these local governments:
- Kansas City: the city, and Jackson County. City of Kansas City (kcmo.gov)
City rules and fees are not in our guide yet.
Questions about business licenses in Missouri
Do I need a business license in Missouri?
No. Missouri does not issue a general business license at the state level. Check with your city or county, which may require a local business license and permits.
How much is a business license in Missouri?
There is no general state business license fee in Missouri. A local business license, if your city or county requires one, is priced by that city or county. State licenses for some types of business have their own fees, listed on this page.
How much is an LLC in Missouri?
The Missouri Secretary of State charges $50 online, $105 on paper to file the Articles of Organization (Form LLC 1). File Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State to form an LLC. Filing online costs less than filing on paper.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Missouri?
No annual report for LLCs: Missouri LLCs do not file an annual report with the Secretary of State.
Does an LLC need a business license in Missouri?
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 Missouri 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 Missouri?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. If you sell goods or taxable services, register with the Missouri Department of Revenue for a sales tax license. You can register online or with Form 2643.
How much is a DBA in Missouri?
If you do business under a name that is not your own true name, register it with the Missouri Secretary of State (state level). A registration lasts five years and can be renewed. Official fee: $7 filing fee.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Missouri?
You can sell home baked goods, canned jams and jellies, and dried herbs made in your home kitchen without a health permit. Labels must say the food is not inspected, and online sales are only allowed within Missouri.
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 Missouri Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Missouri Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Missouri Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Missouri Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Missouri Division of Employment Security Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Missouri Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Childhood Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Missouri Division of Professional Registration Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Checked Nov 7, 2026
- No annual report for LLCs Missouri Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026