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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Missouri, you file Articles of Organization, which is Form LLC 1,

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<v Dan>with the Missouri Secretary of State.

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<v Dan>It's $50 online, or $105 on paper.

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<v Maya>Is there a yearly filing after that?

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<v Dan>Here's the good news. Missouri LLCs file no annual report.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Missouri for 2026, in six steps, with what it costs, and the three best ways

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<v Maya>to have it filed for you. Where should we begin?

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<v Dan>The name must include limited company, limited liability company, LLC, or L.C.

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<v Maya>Can I use corporation or incorporated?

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<v Dan>No. Corporation, incorporated, and limited partnership aren't allowed.

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<v Maya>And it has to be unique?

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<v Dan>It has to be distinguishable on the Secretary of State's records.

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<v Dan>The Business Entity Search is free, so check there first.

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<v Maya>Can I hold a name while I get ready?

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<v Dan>Yes. A reservation is $25 and lasts 60 days.

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<v Dan>You can renew it twice.

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<v Maya>Who can be my agent?

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<v Dan>A Missouri resident, or a corporation authorized to do business in Missouri.

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<v Maya>Where does the agent's address come in?

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<v Dan>The agent's business office is your registered office.

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<v Maya>Can that be a P.O. box?

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<v Dan>Only alongside a street address.

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<v Maya>Is it all public?

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<v Dan>The agent's name and address are, yes.

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<v Dan>That's why many owners go with a commercial agent.

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<v Dan>And if you change agents later, it's $10.

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<v Maya>Where do I file?

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<v Dan>Online, through Missouri Business Filings.

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<v Dan>You submit Form LLC 1 and pay $50 by card, plus a small card convenience fee.

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

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<v Dan>Nice to meet you, Maya. The form asks for quite a bit.

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<v Dan>The name, the purpose, your registered agent, and whether members or managers run

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<v Dan>the company.

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<v Maya>Anything else?

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<v Dan>How long the LLC lasts, and each organizer, who all sign.

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<v Maya>How fast is it?

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<v Dan>Many online filings are processed right after you submit.

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<v Maya>And on paper?

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<v Dan>It's $105. That's $55 more than online.

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<v Maya>Does Missouri want a copy of mine?

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

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<v Dan>It isn't filed with the state.

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<v Maya>But I do need one?

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<v Dan>Missouri law says members shall adopt one.

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<v Dan>So write it down.

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<v Maya>What goes in it?

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

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>What's the federal step?

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<v Dan>An EIN, free, from the IRS at IRS.gov.

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<v Dan>Wait until the Secretary of State has filed your Articles.

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<v Maya>How quickly do I get it?

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

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<v Dan>Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

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<v Maya>And the beneficial ownership report?

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<v Dan>You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires one from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>So what keeps a Missouri LLC in good standing?

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<v Dan>Keeping your registered agent in place.

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<v Dan>There's no annual report and no yearly Secretary of State fee.

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<v Maya>That's rare, isn't it?

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<v Dan>It's a real perk. But there's one more thing to watch.

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<v Maya>Taxes?

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<v Dan>Yes. If you sell taxable goods or services, or you have employees, register with the

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<v Dan>Department of Revenue for sales tax or withholding.

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

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<v Dan>$50 to form online, plus that small card fee.

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<v Maya>And after that?

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<v Dan>Nothing to the Secretary of State.

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<v Dan>No annual report fee.

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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<v Dan>Free.

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<v Maya>Any optional costs?

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<v Dan>A $25 name reservation, and $10 to change your agent.

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<v Maya>So what's the all-in first year?

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<v Dan>$50 plus the card fee. If you add both extras, it's $85 plus the card fee.

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<v Maya>Compare the two ways to file for me.

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<v Dan>Online is $50. Paper is $105.

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<v Maya>So paper costs $55 more.

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<v Dan>And it's slower, because many online filings are processed right after submission.

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<v Maya>Is there any reason to choose paper?

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<v Dan>Nothing in the numbers. Online costs less, and the small card fee doesn't change

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<v Dan>that.

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<v Maya>Let me push on the agent. Why not just list myself?

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<v Dan>If you live in Missouri, you can.

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<v Dan>A Missouri resident qualifies.

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<v Maya>What's the downside?

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

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<v Maya>And with a commercial agent?

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<v Dan>Their office is the registered office, so your home doesn't have to be.

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<v Maya>What if I want a P.O. box?

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<v Dan>Pair it with a street address.

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<v Dan>The box alone doesn't work.

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<v Maya>Take me through Form LLC 1.

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<v Dan>The name and the purpose come first.

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<v Dan>Then your registered agent.

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<v Maya>And management?

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<v Dan>You say whether members or managers run the LLC, and how long it lasts.

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<v Maya>Who signs?

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<v Dan>Each organizer. Everyone listed signs.

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<v Maya>It sounds like a few decisions to make before I log in.

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<v Dan>Exactly. Settle those first, and the online filing goes quickly.

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<v Maya>Does the EIN cover my state taxes?

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<v Dan>Not entirely. If you sell taxable goods or services, you register with the

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<v Dan>Department of Revenue for sales tax.

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<v Maya>And with employees?

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<v Dan>Withholding registration, also with the Department of Revenue.

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<v Maya>Is this a Secretary of State step?

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<v Dan>No. It's separate from your Articles, and it only applies if you sell taxable goods

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<v Dan>or have staff.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the no annual report part.

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<v Maya>Is nothing ever due?

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<v Dan>Nothing to the Secretary of State on a schedule.

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<v Dan>No annual report, and no yearly fee.

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<v Maya>So what do I keep up?

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<v Dan>Your registered agent.

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<v Maya>And the cost of staying formed?

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<v Dan>The state side is zero after the first $50.

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<v Maya>That makes the comparison with a service simple.

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<v Dan>It does. You're really paying a service for the agent and the filing work.

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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<v Dan>Search the name. Choose your agent.

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<v Dan>File Form LLC 1 online for $50.

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<v Dan>Write your operating agreement and get your EIN.

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<v Maya>And after that?

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<v Dan>Register with the Department of Revenue if you need to, and keep your agent current.

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<v Maya>What if I'd rather have someone else handle it?

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

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

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

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<v Maya>What does that cover?

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<v Dan>Your Form LLC 1 filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year.

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

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>MO Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the

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<v Dan>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>Missouri Registered Agent.co. Same offer.

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>How do I decide?

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<v Dan>Missouri has no annual report.

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<v Dan>So from year two, numbers two and three cost less, at $99 a year for the agent

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<v Dan>alone, against $199 a year for Mainstay.

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<v Maya>Show me the three-year math.

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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, it buys you a registered agent at one flat price that renews the

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<v Dan>same.

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<v Maya>Can I hear the whole thing once more?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at a Missouri street address,

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<v Dan>file Form LLC 1 online for $50, write an operating agreement, get your free

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<v Dan>EIN, and keep your agent current.

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<v Dan>There's no annual report.

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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>Missouri LLC.