How To Start An Llc In Missouri – Disclaimer: We support readers. We may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase through links on our site.
In Missouri, forming a limited liability company, or LLC, is the basic option for legally structuring your business. An LLC protects you from ever having to pay for any business losses from your personal assets.
How To Start An Llc In Missouri
Best of all, you can have an LLC up and running in less than 10 business days (sometimes much sooner). It only costs $50-$105 and is a fairly simple process; make sure you follow our step-by-step instructions:
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You can apply for your LLC on your own or through a professional service. While filing on your own isn’t complicated or time-consuming, you still want to make sure you go through each step as outlined below to make sure your LLC is set up right the first time.
If you prefer not to deal with the legal side of your business, we suggest hiring experts to complete all business documents for you (a more worry-free approach).
To form an LLC in Missouri, you must follow the specific requirements of state law. Your business name must be unique, meaning no other business has a similar name.
Before checking if the company name you want is available, to comply with MissouriLLC laws, make sure your company name contains one of the following:
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The name of your LLC can be the name of your company, such as Plumbing King L.L.C, or the name of one of your LLC members, such as Joe Smith LLC.
Once you have decided on your name, you need to check to see if it is available and no other Missouri business is using it. The fastest and easiest way to do this is with a quick google search using the name you want.
If you don’t find any competing businesses, you can move on to the next step – verify the name of your potential business by doing a Missouri Secretary of State business name search.
You have the option to reserve a name for up to 60 days (plus two additional 60-day periods) by completing an Application online or in person. The cost to reserve a name is $25.
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If you don’t want to use LLC in your business name, then you can add a fictitious name once your business is registered. Also known as a DBA (“doing business as”) or business name, a fictitious name allows you to conduct your business under a name other than the registered legal name of the LLC.
You can also use a fictitious name if you intend to run several different businesses under your LLC formation.
To register a fictitious name for your LLC, you must complete the Fictitious Name Registration Form issued by the Missouri Secretary of State. Files can be submitted online and cost $7. Note that your registration expires after 5 years.
Once you’ve figured out your business name and made sure it’s still available, the next step is to choose a registered agent to help you with the legal side of your business.
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A registered agent is anyone who receives and sends legal documents on behalf of your company. They are the main point of contact between your company and the Secretary of State.
In Missouri, an LLC must have a registered agent who resides in Missouri and has a valid street address (not a post office box).
While the easiest route seems to be to act as the registered agent for yourself or one of your LLC members, there are some advantages to hiring a professional. A registered agent will ensure your business is always in good standing with the state, helping you stay organized and up to date. It also adds a layer of protection as they will help you in case of a lawsuit or any penalty/fine.
Once you’ve decided who is best to be your registered agent, the next step is to submit your LLC application.
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In Missouri, you must file your articles of organization with the Missouri Secretary of State to form your LLC.
The member manager is if you (and other owners of the LLC) are responsible for the day-to-day business activities. Instead, the manager is if you decide to hire someone who is not a member to manage your day-to-day business activities.
Board members are more common for smaller businesses, while larger companies typically use CEOs. Typically, you would only choose manager-managed if you are a passive investor and do not participate much in the business.
Submitting the online application for organizational status costs $50 (plus a $1.25 fee), which will process your LLC immediately, while submitting in person or by mail costs $105 and can take 5-10 business days .
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Once you get approval, you can move on to step 4 – create an LLC Operating Agreement. If you are managing your LLC on your own, skip to step 5.
If your LLC has two or more members, it should have an operating agreement. Although not required in Missouri, we suggest you create one to explain how the business is structured and how it will work between its members (and/or managers).
Again, while this is not a required step as you do not need to mail it to the Secretary of State, it is recommended if your LLC has more than 2 members. It helps you clarify the LLC rules and ensure they are legally documented.
After you agree to create an LLC Operating Agreement, the next step is to create your employer identification number.
How Do I Start An Llc In Missouri?
An EIN is a federal tax identification number that registers you with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This number identifies your company when you file taxes.
If you apply online, you will get immediate approval. If you apply by fax it takes up to 4 working days, while by post it can take up to 4 weeks. Applying for an EIN is completely free!
Are you ready to get started? Use this simple checklist to make sure you’ve dot your i’s and crossed your i’s!
Always verify that your LLC information is correct before submitting any documents. You want to avoid simple mistakes and make sure your business is set up right from the start. If it’s in your budget, we recommend using a formation service to help you form your LLC. They can act as your registered agent and ensure that your company is always in good standing. Just make sure you do your homework and choose one of the best LLC services for your business.
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Our first recommendation is to go with ZenBusiness, an LLC formation service that holds your hand from start to finish. Packages start at $49.
Now that you know the exact steps needed to form your LLC, it’s time to start the application process. There are two ways to do this:
Going the DIY route is a good option if your budget is tight or you’ve already opened an LLC and understand how it works.
Using an online training company is a better option if it’s your first time opening an LLC and it’s within your budget (training services cost between $49 and $199). This is usually a better choice if you want to avoid headaches and have the peace of mind knowing that the professionals are taking care of everything for you.
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ZenBusiness has built its platform to meet the needs of your business throughout its life. When you pay for their services, you’ll get a custom dashboard for your business to save documents, receive alerts, and manage your website.
Pricing models also depend on the state in which you file. You can generate a custom quote on their website by entering the necessary information about your business.
LegalZoom is an online legal service provider that helps you create legal documents without having to pay expensive attorney fees. Some of the services they provide assistance with include business training, copyright and trademarks.
LegalZoom has many different pricing options available. For LLC services, prices start at $79 + state tax.
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You approve – now what? The journey doesn’t stop there – there are a few more things you need to do to get your business off the ground. We recommend checking the following items to ensure your LLC is on the right foot.
Even if your business is local, having an online presence is essential to creating trust, professionalism and a way for people to find you. If you haven’t already thought about getting a website, now is the time. In a technology-saturated world, you need a domain not only to attract new customers, but also to help you create a good first visual impression of what your business does and how it can help you.
Since your business is now an approved Missouri LLC, you should consider getting a business phone number. Having a business number is a good way to show professionalism to your clients and customers. It makes you more serious and more importantly, more confident.
There are various online phone services you can go with, or you can go the traditional route and open an account at a local branch. You can get a local number or a 1-800; the options are endless!
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You will want to open a business account
