Form Your Missouri Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Show-Me State with a $25 incorporation fee, a low $10 annual report, no franchise tax, and a clear path to federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Filed in Missouri
The Show-Me State · MO
- State filing fee$25
- Processing timeOnline same day; mail 5-7 business days
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$10 online ($15 paper) registration report — due Registration report due annually
- State tax rate4% corporate income tax
Form your Missouri Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Missouri Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $25 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation of a Nonprofit Corporation filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation of a Nonprofit Corporation to the Missouri Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Missouri — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Bylaws
Professionally drafted bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an Nonprofit in Missouri
Missouri is an affordable, low-friction state to launch a nonprofit, with a $25 incorporation fee, no franchise tax, and a modest $10 annual registration report. Its central location, two major metros in St. Louis and Kansas City, and strong healthcare and education sectors give mission-driven organizations a broad base for fundraising, volunteers, and grant support.
Low $25 state filing fee to incorporate your nonprofit
Eligible for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS
Donors can make tax-deductible contributions once 501(c)(3) is approved
Inexpensive ongoing compliance: just a $10/year registration report
No Missouri franchise tax (repealed) on the corporation
Central US location with two major metros: St. Louis and Kansas City
Limited liability protection for directors, officers, and members
Eligible to apply for grants and government and foundation funding
Key features of a Missouri Nonprofit
- Minimum of 3 directors required
- $25 state incorporation fee
- Eligible for federal 501(c)(3) status
- Low $10/year registration report
- No franchise tax (repealed)
Major industries in Missouri
Form your Missouri Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes Online same day; mail 5-7 business days.
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Pick a distinguishable name and confirm availability through the Missouri Secretary of State's business entity search. Reserve the name for 60 days ($25) if you are not filing immediately.
- 02
Appoint Directors and a Registered Agent
Missouri requires a minimum of 3 directors for a nonprofit corporation, plus a registered agent with a physical Missouri address to accept legal documents on the organization's behalf.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit the Articles of Incorporation of a Nonprofit Corporation to the Missouri Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25. Online filings are processed the same day; mailed filings take 5-7 business days. Include IRS-required 501(c)(3) purpose and dissolution clauses.
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and a Conflict-of-Interest Policy
Hold an organizational board meeting to adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy, elect officers, and record minutes. These governance documents are required for IRS 501(c)(3) approval.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3)
Get a free EIN from the IRS, then apply for federal tax exemption using Form 1023-EZ ($275 user fee, for orgs with gross receipts <= $50,000/yr and assets <= $250,000) or the full Form 1023 ($600). IRS processing runs about 2-4 weeks for 1023-EZ or 3-6 months for the full 1023.
- 06
Register for State Exemption and Charitable Solicitation
Apply for Missouri tax exemptions with the Department of Revenue and register for charitable solicitation as required by the Missouri Attorney General. These state steps are separate from the federal IRS application.
Missouri Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Missouri Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Missouri Nonprofit in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation of a Nonprofit Corporation with the Missouri Secretary of State ($25)
- Appoint a minimum of 3 directors to the board
- Maintain a registered agent with a physical Missouri address
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN and apply for IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (Form 1023-EZ or 1023)
- File the annual Missouri registration report ($10 online / $15 paper)
- Register for Missouri charitable solicitation and applicable state tax exemptions
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation of a Nonprofit Corporation
- Filing agency
- Missouri Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $25 (60 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $25 Missouri state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation of a Nonprofit Corporation filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Missouri)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Bylaws
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Missouri Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Missouri. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit in Missouri?
The Missouri Secretary of State charges $25 to file the Articles of Incorporation of a Nonprofit Corporation. Applying for federal 501(c)(3) status is a separate IRS step with a user fee of $275 (Form 1023-EZ) or $600 (full Form 1023).
How long does Missouri nonprofit formation take?
Online filings with the Missouri Secretary of State are processed the same day, while mailed filings take about 5-7 business days. The separate IRS 501(c)(3) determination takes roughly 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or about 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
How many directors does a Missouri nonprofit need?
Missouri requires a minimum of 3 directors on a nonprofit corporation's board. The board adopts bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy, which are also required for IRS 501(c)(3) approval.
Is incorporating in Missouri the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?
No. Filing your Articles of Incorporation with the Missouri Secretary of State creates the nonprofit at the state level. Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is a separate application to the IRS using Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023, and Missouri tax exemption and charitable-solicitation registration are additional state steps.
What ongoing filings does a Missouri nonprofit have?
Missouri nonprofits file a registration report with the Secretary of State for $10 online (or $15 by paper). Tax-exempt organizations also file an annual IRS Form 990, and Missouri has no franchise tax. The state corporate income tax is 4% and sales tax is 4.225%, though many exempt nonprofits qualify for relief.
Are donations to a Missouri nonprofit tax-deductible?
Once the IRS approves your 501(c)(3) status, donors can make tax-deductible contributions to your organization. Until that determination is issued, contributions are not yet deductible as charitable gifts.
Does my Missouri nonprofit have to file a BOI report with FinCEN?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, U.S. domestic entities and U.S. persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a U.S. state still file.
Why form a nonprofit in Missouri?
Missouri pairs a low $25 incorporation fee and inexpensive $10 annual registration report with no franchise tax. Its central location, two major metros (St. Louis and Kansas City), and strong healthcare and education sectors give nonprofits a solid base for donors, volunteers, and grants.
Missouri government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official Missouri state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$25.00 for corporation/LP/LLC name reservation, valid 60 days (renewable up to a maximum of 180 days).
Paper certified copy: $10.00 certification fee plus $0.50 per page.
$10.00 per certification/authentication/apostille.
RSMo 355.716 does NOT impose a fixed statutory reinstatement fee for nonprofit corporations.
Learn more$10 to file Articles of Dissolution by Voluntary Action for a nonprofit corporation (Form Corp 45) with the Missouri Secretary of State.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Missouri Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Formation is free — you pay only the $25 Missouri state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in Online same day; mail 5-7 business days.
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