How to Start an LLC in Missouri: The Best Guide

Are you looking for the simple steps on how to start an LLC in Missouri?

Here are the steps you need to take to start a limited liability company in Missouri.

As you already know, a limited liability company is a way to structure a business legally.

Also, it combines the limited liability of a corporation with the flexibility and absence of formalities provided by a partnership or sole proprietorship.

For this reason, any business owner who seeks to limit their personal liability for business debts and lawsuits should consider forming an LLC.

So, this article will provide you with detailed steps on how to start an LLC in Missouri.

How to start an LLC in Missouri

Here are the steps you need to take to form an LLC in Missouri:

Choose a Name for Your LLC
Appoint a Registered Agent
File Articles of Organization
Prepare an Operating Agreement
Get an EIN

Choose a Name for Your LLC

An LLC name in Missouri must contain the words “Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Company,” or the abbreviations “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “LC,” or “LLC.”

However, your name must be distinguishable from other business entities already on file with the Missouri Secretary of State.

Also, you can do a name check for availability by searching the Missouri Secretary of State’s business name database.

In addition, you may reserve a name for 60 days by filing online or by mail with an Application for Reservation of Name (BE 1) with the Missouri Secretary of State for $25.

Furthermore, you don’t have to use your LLC’s official legal name registered in your Articles of Organization when you do business.

You can use a fictitious business name, also called an assumed name, “DBA” (short for doing business as), or trade name.

However, you must register your fictitious name with the Missouri Secretary of State by filing a Fictitious Name registration.

Also, you may register online by postal mail for $7, which is suitable for five years.

Appoint a Registered Agent

Every LLC in Missouri must have an agent for the service of process in the state.

A registered agent is an individual or business entity that agrees to accept legal papers on the LLC’s behalf if it is sued.

More so, the registered agent may be a Missouri resident or a Missouri or foreign corporation authorized to do business in Missouri.

However, the agent must have a physical street address in Missouri.

File Articles of Organization

A Missouri LLC is established by filing Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State.

Meanwhile, the articles must include:

the LLC’s name
the LLC’s purpose (this must be a specific state in one line of what the LLC will do to earn a profit)
the name and address of the LLC’s registered agent
whether the LLC will be member-managed or have a manager
whether the LLC’s duration will be perpetual or for a specified period
the name and address of each organizer
the effective date of the Articles–may become effective on filing or a specified future date, and
the signature of the organizer.

However, the articles may be filed online at the Missouri Secretary of State’s online filing portal or by postal mail.

More so, the filing fee is $50 for online filings and $105 for paper filings.

In addition, online filers must also pay an additional $1.25 convenience fee.

Prepare an Operating Agreement

Since 2028, it’s been stated that Missouri’s LLC law requires LLC members to adopt a written operating agreement.

This Operating Agreement is the primary document that ascertains the rights, powers, duties, liabilities, and obligations of the members among themselves and to the LLC. However, the Operating Agreement is an internal document and is not filed with the Secretary of State.

Get an EIN

In addition, if your LLC has more than one member, it must obtain its own IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN), even if it has no employees.

However, if you form a one-member LLC, you must obtain an EIN for it only if it will have employees, or you elect to have it taxed as a corporation instead of a sole proprietorship.

Meanwhile, you may obtain an EIN by completing an online EIN application on the IRS website at no fee.

Conclusion

The first step to take on how to start an LLC in Missouri is to do a name search and reserve your name.

However, you must note that another business must not have used the name you choose for your LLC and ensure that the domain name is also available.

Also, you have to choose a registered agent, file an article of organization, prepare an operating agreement and Get an EIN

In addition, you must comply with other additional tax and regulatory requirements as stated under the law of Missouri’s LLC.

We hope you find this guide on how to start an LLC in Missouri helpful.

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