Missouri LLC Annual Report: Do You Need One? (2026 Guide)
Missouri LLC annual report requirements are simple: there are none. Missouri does not require LLCs to file an annual report with the Secretary of State, and it does not charge LLCs a franchise tax. That makes Missouri one of the lowest-maintenance states for LLC owners, including founders outside the US. But "no annual report" does not mean "no obligations," so this guide explains what you still need to do to keep your LLC in good standing. If you have not formed your LLC yet, start with our guide to registering an LLC online.
Does Missouri Require an LLC Annual Report?
No. The Missouri Limited Liability Company Act does not include an annual report requirement, and the Missouri Secretary of State does not publish an LLC annual report form. That means there is:
- No annual report deadline for LLCs
- No annual report fee
- No state reminder letter to wait for
After you file your Articles of Organization, you do not need to send the Secretary of State any scheduled paperwork to keep your LLC active.
Why So Many People Think Missouri Requires One
There are two common reasons for the confusion:
- Corporations do file reports. Missouri corporations and nonprofit corporations file a yearly registration report, and the Secretary of State's report portal is built for them, not for LLCs.
- Other states do require them. Many states charge LLCs an annual or biennial report fee, so owners assume Missouri does the same.
Be careful with third-party websites or mailers that offer to "file your Missouri LLC annual report" for a fee. If the entity is an LLC, no such filing exists, so you should not pay for one. If you are unsure, check your LLC's status on the Secretary of State's business search.
What a Missouri LLC Still Has to Do
1. Keep a Registered Agent and Registered Office
Every Missouri LLC must maintain a registered agent and a registered office with a physical street address in Missouri at all times. This is the one Secretary of State obligation that continues year after year. If you change agents or your agent resigns, file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office with the Secretary of State, which has a $10 fee. A gap in coverage can leave your LLC without anyone to receive legal papers, so act quickly. Our guide to the LLC registered agent explains how to choose one.
2. Meet Your Tax Obligations
The absence of an annual report says nothing about taxes. Missouri's tax filings are handled by a different agency, the Department of Revenue. Depending on your LLC, you may have:
- Federal income tax filings, which apply as usual
- Missouri income tax filings. LLC profits generally pass through to the owners, a multi-member LLC typically files a Missouri partnership return, and an LLC taxed as a corporation files a corporate return
- Sales tax, if you sell taxable goods or services in Missouri
- Employer withholding and unemployment tax, if you have employees
Missouri also has a pass-through entity tax election for some LLCs. Speak with a qualified tax professional about what applies to you.
3. Check Local Licenses
Missouri does not have a general statewide business license, so there is nothing to renew at the state level. Your city or county may still require a business license, and some industries need permits, so check the rules where you operate.
4. Declare Business Property if Required
If your LLC owns tangible business property in Missouri, such as equipment or inventory, you may need to declare it to the county assessor each year. Ask your county assessor's office whether this applies to you.
5. Keep Up With Federal Filings
A foreign-owned single-member LLC may need to file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 each year, even if it has no US income. See our guide to Form 5472 and 1120 for foreign-owned LLCs. Federal beneficial ownership reporting has also changed several times, so read our latest article on BOI filing for foreign-owned US companies. If you are an Indian founder, our US LLC tax guide for Indian founders covers the India side.
What Does a Missouri LLC Cost?
- Articles of Organization: about $50 online, or about $105 on paper
- Annual report: $0, because none is required
- State franchise tax: none for LLCs
- Change of registered agent or office: $10 when it happens
- Registered agent: varies by provider, usually an annual fee
Always confirm current fees on the Missouri Secretary of State's website before you file, as fees can change.
How Missouri Compares With Nearby States
Missouri's light maintenance stands out next to neighboring states, which all charge yearly or periodic fees:
- Tennessee: a minimum of $300 per year, based on the number of members. See our Tennessee LLC annual report guide.
- North Carolina: $200 per year. See our North Carolina LLC annual report guide.
- Oklahoma: $25 per year. See our Oklahoma LLC annual certificate guide.
- Kentucky: $15 per year. See our Kentucky LLC filing and annual report guide.
If you are still deciding where to form, our breakdown of the best state to form an LLC compares the options, and our guide to the New Jersey LLC annual report shows another state's yearly rules.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Paying for an annual report that does not exist. LLCs do not file one in Missouri.
- Assuming no report means no compliance. Registered agent, tax and federal obligations still apply.
- Letting your registered agent lapse. Keep a Missouri agent and office in place at all times.
- Ignoring Department of Revenue accounts. Sales tax and withholding are separate from the Secretary of State.
- Forgetting federal filings. Form 5472 is separate from state compliance.
- Leaving an unused LLC open without a plan. If you stop operating, close it formally rather than letting it lapse.
Get Help Staying Compliant
FormLLC helps founders keep their US companies in good standing, from registered agent services to tax and federal reporting. If you would like us to track your obligations and make sure nothing is missed, book a free consultation with our team today.
*FormLLC is a business formation and compliance services provider, not a law firm, and this article is general information rather than legal or tax advice.*
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. Missouri does not require LLCs to file an annual report, and there is no annual report fee. Only corporations and nonprofit corporations file yearly registration reports in Missouri.
No. Missouri repealed its corporate franchise tax, and LLCs do not pay a state franchise tax. They may still owe income tax, sales tax or payroll taxes depending on their activity.
Nothing is required by the Secretary of State on a schedule. You still need to keep a registered agent and Missouri office, and you may have tax filings with the Missouri Department of Revenue and the IRS.
There is no annual report fee or franchise tax, so the ongoing state cost is mainly your registered agent fee, plus $10 if you ever change your agent or office. Taxes and local licenses are separate.
Yes. Every Missouri LLC must keep a registered agent and a registered office with a physical Missouri address at all times, even though there is no annual report.
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