How to incorporate in Missouri: Benefits, legal rules, and registration

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  1. 导言
  2. How do you incorporate a business in Missouri?
  3. What are the benefits of incorporating in Missouri?
  4. What are the legal requirements to incorporate in Missouri?
    1. A compliant name
    2. A registered agent
    3. Formation documents
    4. Annual reports
    5. Other compliance documents
  5. How much does it cost to incorporate in Missouri?
  6. What are the steps to register an LLC or corporation in Missouri?
  7. How Stripe Atlas can help
    1. Applying to Atlas
    2. Accepting payments and banking before your EIN arrives
    3. Cashless founder stock purchase
    4. Automatic 83(b) tax election filing
    5. World-class company legal documents
    6. A free year of Stripe Payments, plus $50K in partner credits and discounts

To start a business in Missouri, you need a legal foundation that the state will recognize and support. Incorporation shapes how you’re taxed, how you raise money, and how protected your personal assets are. The process is typically straightforward, but each step has long-term consequences for how your company operates. Below, we’ll explain how to incorporate in Missouri, from the costs and requirements to the practical steps that make your business official.

What’s in this article?

  • How do you incorporate a business in Missouri?
  • What are the benefits of incorporating in Missouri?
  • What are the legal requirements to incorporate in Missouri?
  • How much does it cost to incorporate in Missouri?
  • What are the steps to register an LLC or corporation in Missouri?
  • How Stripe Atlas can help

How do you incorporate a business in Missouri?

Incorporating a business in Missouri sets your business structure as a corporation. Entrepreneurs who want more flexibility often choose to form limited liability companies (LLCs) instead. LLC formation follows many of the same steps as incorporation. Both corporations and LLCs create separate legal entities that protect personal assets, but the rules on ownership, taxes, and management differ.

The incorporation process in Missouri starts with checking the availability of your business name through the secretary of state. You’ll also need to designate a registered agent with a Missouri address, since the state requires a local contact for legal and government notices.

Next comes the official filing: LLCs submit articles of organization, and corporations file articles of incorporation. You can submit these forms, along with the required filing fee, online. Depending on your industry and location, you might also need city or county business licenses or permits before you can operate.

What are the benefits of incorporating in Missouri?

Incorporating your business in Missouri can reshape how it operates and how others perceive it. The biggest benefit is liability protection. When you form a Missouri LLC or corporation, it can shield your personal assets from business debts and lawsuits. That separation is a primary reason for many business owners to incorporate.

There are tax considerations, too. Missouri’s 4% corporate income tax rate is among the lowest in the US. And the Missouri One Start program provides recruitment assistance—as well as resources for training and upskilling new and existing employees—to eligible businesses of all sizes. This can make the state attractive for both small startups and established companies.

Incorporation in general also builds credibility. Many customers, partners, and investors likely prefer to engage with a business that has taken the step to register as a Missouri corporation or LLC. The move signals permanence and professionalism.

Finally, incorporation for your business in Missouri can make growth easier. With a legal entity in place, you can open business bank accounts, raise capital, and expand operations more easily.

The legal requirements to incorporate a business in Missouri are designed to establish your company as a recognized entity and keep it compliant over time. Here are the primary elements.

A compliant name

Your company name must be distinguishable from others on file with the Missouri secretary of state. LLC names need to include “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company,” while corporations must use “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” or an accepted abbreviation.

A registered agent

Every Missouri LLC or corporation must appoint a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This agent is responsible for receiving lawsuits, tax notices, and other official correspondence. They must be available during business hours.

Formation documents

LLCs file articles of organization; corporations file articles of incorporation. These documents outline basic details such as the business name, registered agent information, and management structure. You can file through the secretary of state, either online or by mail.

Annual reports

Corporations must file an annual registration report with the secretary of state and pay a fee to remain in good standing. LLCs in Missouri don’t have an annual reporting requirement.

Other compliance documents

Depending on your industry, you might also need local permits, state tax registrations, or professional licenses to legally operate. Skipping these can jeopardize your good standing, even if your incorporation paperwork is complete.

How much does it cost to incorporate in Missouri?

The cost to incorporate in Missouri is relatively low compared to many states. A Missouri corporation pays a starting fee of $58 to file articles of incorporation. The fee increases based on the dollar amount of authorized capital. A Missouri LLC pays $50 to file articles of organization online or $105 to file by mail.

After initial business formation, corporations must pay $20 each year to file an annual registration report online or $45 to file it by mail. Late reports are subject to an additional $15 fee for each 30-day period.

Additional costs might include the following:

  • Registered agent fees: You’ll need a Missouri registered agent. If you act as your own, there’s no cost. But many businesses pay about $100–$300 per year for a professional service.

  • Permit or licensing costs: These requirements vary by industry, as do associated costs. Look into city and county rules in addition to state rules.

What are the steps to register an LLC or corporation in Missouri?

Whether you’re forming an LLC or a corporation, setting up a company in Missouri involves creating a legally recognized business that can hire employees, raise capital, and expand with confidence. The process is structured, and the choices you make at each step (e.g., LLC versus corporation, tax treatment, governance rules) will shape how your company grows.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to registration:

  • Choose your entity type: Decide whether an LLC or corporation fits your goals. An LLC is flexible and taxed as a pass-through entity by default, while a corporation is better suited to raising outside capital and issuing stock.

  • Check business name availability: Search the Missouri secretary of state’s database to confirm that your desired name is free. Missouri requires names to be distinguishable from others already on file, and they must include the right suffix (“LLC” or “Inc.” or “Corp.”).

  • Appoint a Missouri registered agent: Every Missouri LLC or corporation must have a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This person or service receives state notices, tax forms, and legal documents on behalf of the business.

  • File formation documents: LLCs file articles of organization. Corporations file articles of incorporation, which include details about share structure, directors, and incorporators. Both are sent to the secretary of state and can be filed online for faster processing. The filing must include a business name, registered agent, and details about how the entity will be managed.

  • Draft internal governance documents: While it’s not legally required in Missouri, businesses typically create an operating agreement (for LLCs) or corporate bylaws (for corporations). These outline ownership, voting rights, and how decisions are made. Banks, investors, and partners often expect to see these in place.

  • Register for state taxes: Depending on your business model, you might need to register with the Missouri Department of Revenue for sales tax, employer withholding tax, or other state-level obligations.

  • Secure local licenses and permits: City and county governments might require additional licenses before you can legally operate. Retail shops, restaurants, contractors, and professionals in regulated industries should expect extra steps here.

  • Maintain compliance: Corporations must submit an annual registration report and pay a fee to stay active. LLCs in Missouri aren’t required to file annual reports, but all business types must meet registered agent requirements and tax obligations. Falling out of good standing can lead to penalties or even administrative dissolution.

How Stripe Atlas can help

Stripe Atlas sets up your company’s legal foundations so you can fundraise, open a bank account, and accept payments within two business days from anywhere in the world.

Join 75K+ companies incorporated using Atlas, including startups backed by top investors like Y Combinator, a16z, and General Catalyst.

Applying to Atlas

Applying to form a company with Atlas takes less than 10 minutes. You’ll choose your company structure, instantly confirm whether your company name is available, and add up to four cofounders. You’ll also decide how to split equity, reserve a pool of equity for future investors and employees, appoint officers, and then e-sign all your documents. Any cofounders will receive emails inviting them to e-sign their documents, too.

Accepting payments and banking before your EIN arrives

After forming your company, Atlas files for your Employer Identification Number (EIN). Founders with a US Social Security number, address, and cell phone number are eligible for IRS expedited processing, while others will receive standard processing, which can take a little longer. Additionally, Atlas enables pre-EIN payments and banking, so you can start accepting payments and making transactions before your EIN arrives.

Cashless founder stock purchase

Founders can purchase initial shares using their intellectual property (e.g., copyrights or patents) instead of cash, with proof of purchase stored in your Atlas Dashboard. Your IP must be valued at $100 or less to use this feature; if you own IP above that value, consult a lawyer before proceeding.

Automatic 83(b) tax election filing

Founders can file an 83(b) tax election to reduce personal income taxes. Atlas will file it for you—whether you are a US or non-US founder—with USPS Certified Mail and tracking. You’ll receive a signed 83(b) election and proof of filing directly in your Stripe Dashboard.

Atlas provides all the legal documents you need to start running your company. Atlas C corp documents are built in collaboration with Cooley, one of the world’s leading venture capital law firms. These documents are designed to help you fundraise immediately and ensure your company is legally protected, covering aspects like ownership structure, equity distribution, and tax compliance.

A free year of Stripe Payments, plus $50K in partner credits and discounts

Atlas collaborates with top-tier partners to give founders exclusive discounts and credits. These include discounts on essential tools for engineering, tax, finance, compliance, and operations from industry leaders like AWS, Carta, and Perplexity. We also provide you with your required Delaware registered agent for free in your first year. Plus, as an Atlas user, you’ll access additional Stripe benefits, including up to a year of free payment processing for up to $100K in payments volume.

Learn more about how Atlas can help you set up your new business quickly and easily, and get started today.

本文中的内容仅供一般信息和教育目的,不应被解释为法律或税务建议。Stripe 不保证或担保文章中信息的准确性、完整性、充分性或时效性。您应该寻求在您的司法管辖区获得执业许可的合格律师或会计师的建议,以就您的特定情况提供建议。

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