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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Mississippi, you file a Certificate of Formation with the

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<v Dan>Mississippi Secretary of State, online, and the fee is $50.

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<v Maya>Is that the whole state bill?

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<v Dan>For forming it, yes. The annual report that follows is free.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Mississippi for 2026, step by step, with the costs, and the three best ways

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<v Maya>to get it filed for you. Where do we start?

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<v Dan>Start with the name. It has to include limited liability company, L.L.C., or LLC.

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<v Maya>Anything that's off limits?

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<v Dan>Yes. Words like bank, trust, insurance, and corporation aren't allowed.

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<v Maya>And it can't match somebody else's?

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<v Dan>Right. It must be distinguishable from the names already on record.

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<v Dan>The Secretary of State has a free business search, so check there first.

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<v Maya>What if I'm not ready to file yet?

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<v Dan>You can reserve a name for 180 days.

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<v Dan>That's $25.

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<v Maya>Who can be my agent?

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<v Dan>Any individual, corporation, or LLC with a physical address in Mississippi.

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<v Maya>Even an LLC?

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<v Dan>Yes. But you need that agent's permission before you list them.

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<v Maya>Is the agent's information private?

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<v Dan>No. The name and address go on the public record, which is why many owners hire a

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<v Dan>commercial agent.

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<v Maya>And if I switch agents later?

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<v Dan>A statement of change costs $10.

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<v Maya>Where does the filing happen?

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<v Dan>Through the Secretary of State's online business portal.

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<v Dan>That's Form F0100, and the fee is $50.

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<v Maya>I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

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<v Dan>Great to have you, Maya. The Certificate asks for the name, the registered agent,

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<v Dan>and the registered office.

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<v Maya>How soon do I hear back?

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<v Dan>Some online filings are approved immediately.

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<v Dan>The ones that get reviewed should be done within 24 hours, and the filed copy comes

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<v Dan>to you by email.

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<v Maya>What about sending paper?

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<v Dan>Paper takes significantly longer.

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<v Dan>Online is the way to go.

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<v Maya>Does Mississippi collect the operating agreement?

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<v Dan>No. You keep it with your records.

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<v Dan>It isn't filed, and there's no fee.

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<v Maya>So why bother writing it down?

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<v Dan>Because the annual report asks whether you have a written one.

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<v Maya>What belongs in it?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens when a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>Now the federal side. What do I need?

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<v Dan>An EIN. You apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov, once the state

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<v Dan>has filed your Certificate.

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<v Maya>How long does that take?

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<v Dan>If the online application is approved, the number comes right away.

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<v Dan>Keep the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge handy.

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<v Maya>And the beneficial ownership report?

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<v Dan>Skip it. FinCEN no longer asks U.S.

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<v Dan>companies for one.

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<v Maya>What does Mississippi expect once I'm up and running?

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<v Dan>An annual report, filed online between January 1 and April 15.

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<v Maya>And the cost?

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<v Dan>Free for a Mississippi LLC. If a mailer offers to file it for a fee, ignore it.

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<v Maya>What if I forget?

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<v Dan>More than 60 days late, and the state can start an administrative dissolution.

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<v Maya>How do I fix that?

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<v Dan>You reinstate, and that costs $50.

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<v Maya>Give me the do-it-yourself total.

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<v Dan>$50 for the Certificate of Formation.

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<v Dan>That's the whole state fee for starting out.

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<v Maya>And year two?

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<v Dan>The annual report is free again, and so is the EIN.

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<v Maya>Any extras?

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<v Dan>A $25 name reservation if you want one, and $10 to change your agent later.

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<v Maya>So with no extras, what's the first year?

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<v Dan>$50, and nothing owed to the state when the annual report comes around.

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<v Maya>Is there a reason to ever file on paper?

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<v Dan>Not really. Paper takes significantly longer, and the online fee is only $50.

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<v Maya>So the portal is the fast route.

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<v Dan>Yes. Some filings are approved immediately, and the rest are reviewed within 24

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<v Dan>hours.

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<v Maya>And what do I get back?

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<v Dan>The filed copy, by email.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the agent. Could I be my own?

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<v Dan>Mississippi allows an individual with a physical address in the state, so yes, if

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<v Dan>you have one and you're there.

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<v Maya>What's the catch?

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<v Dan>Your name and address go on the public record.

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<v Maya>And a commercial agent?

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<v Dan>That puts a business's name and address on the record instead of yours.

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<v Dan>Many owners prefer that.

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<v Maya>And changing one?

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<v Dan>$10 for the statement of change.

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<v Maya>The report is free. Why take it seriously?

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<v Dan>Because it's due every year by April 15, and falling more than 60 days behind can

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<v Dan>lead to administrative dissolution.

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<v Maya>And the way back?

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<v Dan>Reinstatement, for $50.

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<v Maya>So a free filing on time beats a $50 fix later.

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<v Dan>Every time. And the report also asks about your written operating agreement.

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<v Maya>Walk me through Form F0100.

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<v Dan>The name, the registered agent, and the registered office.

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<v Maya>So it's a short form?

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<v Dan>It is. Settle the name and the agent first, and the filing goes quickly.

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<v Maya>Then the fee?

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<v Dan>$50, paid at filing through the portal.

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<v Maya>Let me try the worst case. Say I add every optional extra.

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<v Dan>The Certificate is $50. Add the $25 name reservation, and a $10 agent change.

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<v Maya>That's $85.

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<v Dan>Right. And that's the ceiling for year one, assuming you never reinstate.

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<v Maya>So the reinstatement is the only surprise?

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<v Dan>Yes, at $50, and only if you let the annual report slide more than 60 days.

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<v Maya>Which is easy to avoid, since it's free.

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<v Dan>And the deadline is the same every year, April 15.

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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<v Dan>Search the name. Choose your agent and get their permission.

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<v Dan>File the Certificate online for $50.

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<v Dan>Then apply for your EIN and write your operating agreement.

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<v Maya>And the calendar?

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<v Dan>The free annual report, between January 1 and April 15 every year.

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<v Maya>What if I'd rather hand this off?

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Mississippi.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state

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<v Dan>fee. With the $50 state fee, checkout comes to $249.

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<v Maya>What do I get?

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<v Dan>Your Certificate of Formation filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent

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<v Dan>every year. It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>And the annual report?

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<v Dan>Mainstay files it by April 15 every year, so it's never missed.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>Registered Agent MS.org. It prepares and files your Certificate for $199

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<v Dan>plus the state fee, also $249 at checkout.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Mississippi Registered Agent.co.

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<v Dan>Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then

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<v Dan>$99 a year.

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<v Maya>How should I choose?

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<v Dan>Mississippi's annual report is free.

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<v Dan>So if you'll file it yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99

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<v Dan>a year for the agent alone.

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<v Maya>Give me the three-year view.

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for

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<v Dan>$397.

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<v Maya>A $200 difference.

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<v Dan>Yes. With Mainstay, that difference covers your annual report being filed on time

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<v Dan>every year.

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<v Maya>One more time, quickly?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent with a Mississippi address,

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<v Dan>file the Certificate of Formation online for $50, write an operating agreement, get

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<v Dan>your free EIN, and file your free annual report by April 15 every year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Mississippi LLC.