Form Your S Corporation in Missouri
Incorporate in the Show-Me State for a $58 filing fee with same-day online processing, then elect S-corp status to gain pass-through taxation and payroll-tax savings — no franchise tax, just a 4% corporate income tax
Filed in Missouri
The Show-Me State · MO
- State filing fee$58
- Processing timeOnline same day; mail 5-7 business days
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$20–$45 (varies by authorized shares) — due Annual registration report to the SOS
- State tax rate4% corporate income tax
Form your Missouri S-Corp — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Missouri S-Corp
Free formation means you pay only the $58 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation 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.
Corporate bylaws
Professionally drafted corporate bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an S-Corp in Missouri
Missouri pairs a low $58 incorporation fee, no franchise tax, and a modest 4% corporate income tax with a central location and two major metros in St. Louis and Kansas City, making it an efficient base for an S corporation. Because an S corp passes income through to shareholders, owners avoid entity-level double taxation while keeping payroll-tax savings on distributions taken above a reasonable salary.
Pass-through taxation avoids the C-corp double tax — profits are reported on owners' personal returns
Payroll-tax savings: distributions beyond a reasonable W-2 salary aren't hit by self-employment tax
Low $58 state filing fee to incorporate with the Missouri Secretary of State
No Missouri franchise tax (repealed) — only the annual registration report and 4% corporate income tax apply
Central US location with two major metros, St. Louis and Kansas City, and major river and rail corridors
Online incorporation is processed the same day, so your S-corp election can start quickly
Liability protection of the corporate shell, kept while you enjoy pass-through tax treatment
Credibility of a formal corporation with shareholders, directors, and bylaws in the Show-Me State
Key features of a Missouri S-Corp
- $58 corporation filing fee with same-day online processing
- No Missouri franchise tax (repealed)
- 4% state corporate income tax and 4.225% sales tax
- S-corp election via IRS Form 2553 (separate from state filing)
- Annual registration report of $20–$45 to the Secretary of State
Major industries in Missouri
Form your Missouri S-Corp 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 Corporation Name
Pick a name that includes a corporate identifier such as 'Corporation,' 'Incorporated,' 'Company,' or an abbreviation, and confirm it is available through the Missouri Secretary of State business entity search.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent
Missouri requires a registered agent with a physical in-state address to receive legal and state documents on behalf of the corporation.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit the Articles of Incorporation to the Missouri Secretary of State to form the corporation. The state filing fee is $58; online filings are processed the same day, mail takes 5-7 business days.
- 04
Obtain an EIN and Adopt Bylaws
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS, then adopt corporate bylaws, appoint directors, and issue stock to complete the corporation's setup before electing S-corp status.
- 05
Elect S-Corp Status with IRS Form 2553
File IRS Form 2553 to elect S corporation tax treatment. The election is due within 75 days of formation (generally by March 15 for the current tax year) and all shareholders must sign.
- 06
Register for Missouri State Taxes
Register with the Missouri Department of Revenue for applicable taxes. Missouri imposes a 4% corporate income tax and a 4.225% state sales tax; the S-corp's income generally passes through to shareholders' Missouri returns.
Missouri S-Corp costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Missouri S-Corp requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Missouri S-Corp in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation with the Missouri Secretary of State ($58 fee)
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Missouri address
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS and adopt corporate bylaws
- File IRS Form 2553 within 75 days of formation to elect S-corp status
- Have no more than 100 shareholders, all US citizens or residents (foreign owners are not eligible)
- Issue only one class of stock
- Pay shareholder-employees a reasonable W-2 salary before taking distributions
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation
- Filing agency
- Missouri Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Corporate bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $25 (60 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $58 Missouri state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, corporate bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation 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)
- Corporate 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 S-Corp questions, answered
Common questions about forming an S-Corp in Missouri. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How do I form an S corporation in Missouri?
An S corp is a tax election, not a separate state entity. You first incorporate by filing Articles of Incorporation with the Missouri Secretary of State for a $58 fee, then file IRS Form 2553 to elect S-corp tax treatment. Online filings are processed the same day; mail takes 5-7 business days.
How much does it cost to start an S corporation in Missouri?
The Missouri Secretary of State charges a $58 fee to file the Articles of Incorporation. Electing S-corp status with IRS Form 2553 is free, and Missouri has no franchise tax, so ongoing state costs are mainly the $20–$45 annual registration report.
What is the difference between a corporation and an S corp in Missouri?
You form an ordinary corporation at the state level with the Missouri Secretary of State. 'S corp' refers to the federal tax election made on IRS Form 2553 that gives that corporation pass-through taxation, so profits are taxed once on shareholders' personal returns instead of at both the corporate and individual level.
When is IRS Form 2553 due for a Missouri S corp?
File Form 2553 within 75 days of incorporating (generally by March 15 to take effect for the current tax year). All shareholders must sign it, and there are no more than 100 shareholders, all of whom must be US citizens or residents.
Does Missouri have a franchise tax or corporate income tax for S corps?
Missouri repealed its franchise tax, so there is none. The state has a 4% corporate income tax and a 4.225% sales tax, but an S corp's income generally passes through to shareholders, who report it on their Missouri personal returns.
How does an S corp save on taxes in Missouri?
Shareholder-employees pay themselves a reasonable W-2 salary, then take remaining profit as distributions that are not subject to self-employment (Social Security and Medicare) tax. This can lower overall payroll taxes compared with a default LLC or sole proprietorship, while Missouri's 4% state income tax still applies to pass-through income.
Can a non-US resident own a Missouri S corporation?
No. S-corp eligibility limits ownership to US citizens and residents, so foreign owners are not eligible. A foreign owner would need to use a standard C corporation or an LLC instead.
Do I need to file a BOI report for my Missouri S corporation?
Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, US domestic entities and US persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a US state still file, so a Missouri-incorporated S corp owned by US persons does not.
Missouri government filing resources
Filing fees for common S-Corp 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.
Qualification Fee for Foreign Corporation is $155.00 (covers foreign C-Corp and S-Corp under Ch.
Learn moreS-Corp is a federal IRS tax election, not a separate Missouri entity — identical to a C-corporation at the state level.
Learn moreS-Corp is a federal IRS tax election (Form 2553), not a separate Missouri entity — an S-corporation is a Chapter 351 general business corporation at the state level, s…
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Missouri S-Corp
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Formation is free — you pay only the $58 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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