Missouri Business License

Are you starting a business soon in Missouri? There's a lot to learn, but the state provides a wealth of resources online. Make sure to quickly familiarize yourself with all the steps expected of new business owners.

To start, you'll want to check out the "Missouri Business Portal." There you'll find plenty of resources about how to start and manage a business in the state. You will also learn about the various registration requirements, filings, and taxes for small businesses.

It's possible that your new business will not need a license to operate in Missouri. However, certain types of companies will need more than one. There are several different generalized categories for business permits and licenses in Missouri. These include the following:

• Professional and Occupational Licenses
• Agricultural Permits and Licenses
• Environmental Registrations, Permits, or Certifications

There are also a few categories of license and permits governed by state agencies. If you want to learn which ones are involved, visit the Business Portal website and click on the section called "Registering My Business." There you can find out just what's in store for you as a new owner.

When filling out your business license application, it is important to remember that local licenses also apply. These will vary depending on the locality. A prime example is the city of St. Louis. They require any business operating within their confines to get a Graduated Business License.

Other cities in the state, like Springfield, also have specific requirements. If you need information for your area, find their website and look for their Licensing page. You'll discover what, if anything, you need to do to comply.

Lastly, if you will be selling any physical items, or providing certain rental or other services, you will need to get a sales tax license from the Missouri Department of Revenue. The Department of Revenue website has all the information you need to know about whether or not you need to file sales tax with the state.

One of the first questions you will want to ask yourself before you start the process of filing your business license is what type of business will you be starting. Will your business be a sole proprietorship, or a limited liability company (LLC), or a corporation?

Each of these will have their own tax laws and will be filed with the Missouri Department of Revenue differently. When it comes to your business tax classifications you want to make sure you get it right. There are many different types of businesses that you can start. Knowing the best choice for you and your business will help you when it comes time to file taxes.

You will have to file formation papers with the Missouri Secretary Of State office, and declare which type of business you will be starting. Discover more by visiting the "Business Services Division" section, which goes into detail about the process. Depending on your formation type, you will have varying responsibilities.

Members of a wide variety of occupations and professions will also need licenses issued by the state. Professionals like dentists, architects, accounts, lawyers, and doctors all need licensing. You can find out much more information about this subject by visiting the Missouri Division of Professional Registration and the Missouri Business Portal.

You can find specific information for any profession at "Division of Professional Registration" website. That should provide you with all the details about your chosen occupation. If your job appears in the list, you'll need to follow all applicable regulations. These licenses protect consumers and help the industry thrive. Discover what fees are appropriate, so there are no surprises later.

Once you know what type of business you will be starting, and whether or not you need a specialized professional license, the next decision you will need to make is deciding on a business name.

You, like most business owners, will probably want to register a fictitious name for your company. Most companies, other than a sole proprietorship, use trade names to identify their services and products. LLCs, partnerships, and corporations all have to register a trading name upon formation.

You may also decide to add a name later, using the process known as filing a DBA. The term stands for "Doing Business As" and allows corporations to identify themselves with an alternative trade name. You can learn much more about the subject on the Secretary of State website under the section called "Fictitious Name Registration."

The state of Missouri offers registration for statewide service and trademarks. If your business wants additional protection for your marks, registering makes sense. The Secretary of State website contains plenty of information on registering trademarks. To help you decide what you will need, look in the "Trademarks and Service Marks" section. This process is distinct from Federal registration and may be advantageous depending on your company's needs.

If you want to ensure that you are following the correct business licensing requirements, then you will need to do some research first. Hopefully, this article has helped to point you in the right direction before you get started. The chamber of commerce is here to help you with each step along the process of starting and operating your own business.

From registering your name and your trademark to ensuring you are choosing the right business type, there are many choices to make when filing for a business license in Missouri. As you begin the process of creating your own start-up company, come back to the chamber of commerce website to answer your many questions.