Jacqi is a seasoned legal professional committed to simplifying complex legal issues. With her in-depth knowledge of tax laws, she thrives on helping individuals and businesses navigate the maze of financial obligations. Clients trust Jacqi to provid.
Jacqueline Nguyen, Esq. Small Business and Tax Expert WriterJacqi is a seasoned legal professional committed to simplifying complex legal issues. With her in-depth knowledge of tax laws, she thrives on helping individuals and businesses navigate the maze of financial obligations. Clients trust Jacqi to provid.
Written By Jacqueline Nguyen, Esq. Small Business and Tax Expert WriterJacqi is a seasoned legal professional committed to simplifying complex legal issues. With her in-depth knowledge of tax laws, she thrives on helping individuals and businesses navigate the maze of financial obligations. Clients trust Jacqi to provid.
Jacqueline Nguyen, Esq. Small Business and Tax Expert WriterJacqi is a seasoned legal professional committed to simplifying complex legal issues. With her in-depth knowledge of tax laws, she thrives on helping individuals and businesses navigate the maze of financial obligations. Clients trust Jacqi to provid.
Small Business and Tax Expert Writer Rob Watts Managing Editor, SMBWith over a decade of editorial experience, Rob Watts breaks down complex topics for small businesses that want to grow and succeed. His work has been featured in outlets such as Keypoint Intelligence, FitSmallBusiness and PCMag.
Rob Watts Managing Editor, SMBWith over a decade of editorial experience, Rob Watts breaks down complex topics for small businesses that want to grow and succeed. His work has been featured in outlets such as Keypoint Intelligence, FitSmallBusiness and PCMag.
Rob Watts Managing Editor, SMBWith over a decade of editorial experience, Rob Watts breaks down complex topics for small businesses that want to grow and succeed. His work has been featured in outlets such as Keypoint Intelligence, FitSmallBusiness and PCMag.
Rob Watts Managing Editor, SMBWith over a decade of editorial experience, Rob Watts breaks down complex topics for small businesses that want to grow and succeed. His work has been featured in outlets such as Keypoint Intelligence, FitSmallBusiness and PCMag.
| Managing Editor, SMB
Updated: Feb 12, 2024, 11:57pm
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
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Launching a new business endeavor can be intimidating. There are many legal requirements, fees, insurance and registrations necessary before you can open your doors. Follow our simple guide to learn how to get a business license in Missouri. We’ll walk you through the process to help you start your new business with ease today.
Most local governments in Missouri require business licenses on a city or county level. As with many other states in the U.S., the only business license regulated at the state level in Missouri is the sales tax license, sometimes commonly called a seller’s permit. You may, however, be required to obtain a specialty business license from certain state regulatory agencies, depending on the field or industry your business works within.
When opening a business in Missouri, you will likely need to acquire at least one, if not a few different business licenses and permits. The most common license nearly every business must obtain is the sales tax license. You must apply for the sales tax license, sometimes colloquially called a “seller’s permit,” with the Missouri Department of Revenue if you “are engaged in business in Missouri and intend to sell or lease taxable goods or services.” For more information about the sales tax license, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Additionally, your business may also need to acquire licensing if engaged in a specific field, including accounting, appraisals and other types of financial work, any type of health profession, tattoo parlors, veterinary clinics, both pro boxers and pro wrestlers and any business working in the construction or design industry. For a full list, head to the Missouri Division of Professional Registration’s website.
Your business will also likely need to obtain a business license from the local city or county government in which your business is registered and operates. Jefferson City requires a general business operating license for every business in the city and requires additional licenses for certain types of businesses such as liquor sellers, craft/trade shows, sidewalk vendors and vehicles for hire. The Missouri state government website maintains a list of cities and a list of counties with respective websites so you can find more information on business licensing for your local municipality with ease.
If you have not already started a company, the first step in applying for a Missouri business license is to do so. For help in starting your business, check out Forbes Advisor’s guides on starting a business, forming an LLC, and for those who want someone else to do it for them, the best LLC formation services. Once you have started your business, get your paperwork in order and make sure you have:
The next step in getting your Missouri business license is to apply for the appropriate license(s) on a city or county level. Most cities in Missouri require either a general business operating license and/or a specialty business license for certain industries. Head to the website of your city clerk or county recorder to find more specific information and to apply for the license(s) you need.
Once you have obtained your general business operating license from the local municipality in which your business is based, you’ll next need to see if your business requires any special licensing from your city or county. Every business in St. Louis must have a business license, for example, but auctioneers, bail bondsmen, caterers, dance halls, hotels, liquor sellers, pawnshops, restaurants and tow trucks (to name only a few) require additional licensing by the St. Louis government.
Any business in Missouri selling or renting tangible goods or taxable services is required to obtain a sales tax license, sometimes referred to as a seller’s permit. This license can be obtained by applying on the Missouri Department of Revenue’s website.
Your business may also be required to obtain a specialty state license depending on the profession or industry in which it does work. Visit the Missouri Division of Professional Registration to determine which, if any, professional licenses may be required for your business.
The majority of small businesses will not need to obtain any federal licenses or permits, but if your business conducts any activities regulated on the federal level, you may need to get a federal license. Common federal business licensing areas include:
While a Missouri Sales Tax License, the most common license or permit your business will need, is applied for without a direct cost, you will be required to pay a deposit/bond equal to three times the average amount of sales/use tax that will be owed by your business. Missouri offers a sales tax bond calculator to determine the amount to post. Once your bond clears, you will be issued a sales tax license and after two years of on-time tax payments, you can request a refund of your bond.
Business license fees for your local city or county government will vary depending on your municipality and the type of license you are obtaining. For example, Jefferson City charges a license fee based on estimated gross sales for your business. Sales of $0 to $49,999 require a payment of $25 per year for a business license, while sales greater than $5,000,000 mean $350 per year in business licensing.
The sales tax license in Missouri does not expire and does not need to be renewed. Local business licenses or specialty state licenses for certain professions or industries may need to be renewed. The most common renewal schedule is annually but we encourage business owners to check with the department or agency that issued the license to determine how often they must be renewed—some agencies may require renewals every two years or more.
Fees will vary depending on the county or city you are doing business in. For example, in St. Louis, you can expect to pay up to $200 depending on what time of year you are filing for the graduated business license. Other Missouri business licenses will cost different amounts depending on the agency responsible for issuing the license. You may also be charged credit card transaction fees if that is your preferred method of payment.
You can run a business as a sole proprietorship (just you) or general partnership (you and one or more partners) instead of forming a business entity like an LLC or corporation. However, sole proprietorships and partnerships may still need to register dbas and obtain business licenses from government agencies. Learn more about the differences between a sole proprietorship and an LLC.
A sales tax license, sometimes colloquially called a seller’s permit, is a license certifying a Missouri-based business to sell tangible goods and collect the appropriate tax for those sales. Sales tax licenses are required for every business selling tangible, taxable goods or services in the state of Missouri and can be obtained through the Missouri Department of Revenue’s website.
A business license can be issued at the city or county level, the state level, and the federal level. Whether or not you’ll need a business license depends on where you operate your business and the type of activities your business will engage in. Different cities and counties have different regulations, so a similar business in a nearby city may not require all the same business licenses as you. For the state of Missouri, the only business license regulated at the state level is the sales tax license, also called a seller’s permit. You need to check with your county or city government officials to see if a license is required for your business.
