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How Much Does an LLC Cost in Missouri?
An LLC in Missouri costs $50 in Year 1: a $50 state filing fee plus $0 in recurring state fees (No annual fee) for the first year. After that it costs $0 per year, for a 5-year state total of $50. That makes Missouri the 3rd cheapest state to form an LLC — the national average Year 1 cost is $220 and the median is $160.
Missouri LLC Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Cost |
| State filing fee (one-time) | $50 |
| Recurring state fees — No annual fee | $0 / yr |
| Year 1 total (filing fee + first year) | $50 |
| 5-year total (filing fee + 5 × annual) | $50 |
How Missouri Compares to Other States
- Rank: Missouri is the 3rd cheapest state to form an LLC — #3 of 51 jurisdictions by 5-year state cost ($50).
- Year 1 vs the nation: $50 in Year 1 — $170 less than the national average of $220 (median $160).
- 5-year vs the nation: $50 over five years, against a national average of $586 and a median of $350.
- No annual fee: Missouri charges no recurring annual fee — after the $50 filing fee, the state cost is $0/yr.
- Cheapest in the US: Arizona at $50 over 5 years. Most expensive: California at $4,120.
Missouri LLC Annual Fees & Franchise Tax
Missouri charges no recurring annual fee for a standard LLC (No annual fee), so after the $50 filing fee your ongoing state cost is $0. The 5-year state total stays at $50, which is why Missouri ranks among the cheapest states long-term.
No. Missouri does not charge LLCs a franchise tax or an annual fee — the $50 filing fee is the only state cost for a standard LLC, and the recurring figure is No annual fee.
How to Form an LLC in Missouri (Step by Step)
- Choose a name. Pick a distinguishable name that includes "LLC" and check it is available on the Missouri Secretary of State website before you file.
- Appoint a registered agent. Name a person or service with a physical street address in Missouri who can receive legal mail during business hours — be your own for free, or hire one (see our registered agent guide).
- File your formation document. File the Articles of Organization (called a Certificate of Formation in some states) with the Missouri Secretary of State and pay the $50 filing fee.
- Create an operating agreement. Not filed with the state, but it records who owns what and how the LLC is run — banks and partners will ask for it.
- Get an EIN. Apply free on the IRS website in about 10 minutes — see our EIN guide. You need it to hire, pay taxes, and open a business account.
- Open a business bank account and stay compliant. Keep business money separate (see our business bank account guide), then keep up with Missouri's recurring fees — No annual fee — so the LLC stays in good standing (see our annual reports guide).
Good to Know About Missouri LLC Costs
No annual report requirement for LLCs at all — $50 once, and Missouri leaves you alone. One of the lowest-maintenance states in the country.
File on the official Missouri Secretary of State site →
Fees verified against official state sources — last checked October 26, 2026.
Missouri LLC Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Missouri?
The state filing fee in Missouri is $50. Adding the first year of recurring state fees (No annual fee) brings the Year 1 state cost to $50. Optional extras — a registered agent service, an operating agreement template, or a formation service — cost extra, but the state itself charges $50 in Year 1.
How much does an LLC in Missouri cost every year?
Missouri charges no recurring annual fee for a standard LLC (No annual fee), so after the $50 filing fee your ongoing state cost is $0. The 5-year state total stays at $50, which is why Missouri ranks among the cheapest states long-term.
Does Missouri charge LLCs a franchise tax?
No. Missouri does not charge LLCs a franchise tax or an annual fee — the $50 filing fee is the only state cost for a standard LLC, and the recurring figure is No annual fee.
Do I need a registered agent for an LLC in Missouri?
Yes. Every LLC in Missouri must name a registered agent with a physical street address in the state who can receive legal and official mail during business hours. You can be your own agent if you live in Missouri and are reliably available, or hire a service — typically around $125 per year — to keep your own address off the public record.
What is the cheapest way to form an LLC in Missouri?
File it yourself on the official Missouri Secretary of State website, linked on this page. Filing direct costs just the $50 state filing fee (plus the No annual fee recurring fee) and skips formation-service markups. Use the free LLC cost calculator on this site first so you know your exact Year 1 and 5-year totals before you file.