Comparison
Missouri LLC vs. Wyoming LLC — head to head
All figures verified against official state portals as of 2026-10-23.
| Factor | Missouri (MO) | Wyoming (WY) |
|---|---|---|
| Formation filing fee | $50 | $100 |
| Annual fee | $0 annual report; no recurring SOS LLC fee | $60/year minimum Annual Report |
| First-year total cost | ~$50 state fees | ~$160 state fees |
| Ongoing annual cost | $0 annual report; no recurring SOS LLC fee | $60 minimum + commercial RA if nonresident |
| Online processing time | 3-7 business days online; Expedite options vary by filing channel | 3-5 business days standard via WyoBiz; 24-hour and same-day options available |
| State income tax | Yes | None |
| Franchise / gross receipts tax | No Missouri franchise tax for LLCs and no Secretary of State annual report requirement; member income remains subject to Missouri income tax where applicable. | No state income tax and no franchise tax; annual report/license tax is the only recurring state charge for most small LLCs. |
| Name reservation | $25 | $25 for 120 days |
| Publication requirement | None | None |
| Annual report deadline | No LLC annual report to Secretary of State. | Annual Report due by the first day of the anniversary month; greater of $60 or $0.0002 x Wyoming assets. |
| Filing portal | Missouri Secretary of State Corporations Division | Wyoming SOS WyoBiz |
| Name search | MO name search | WY name search |
| Governing statute | Mo. Rev. Stat. Chapter 347 | Wyo. Stat. 17-29-101 et seq.; 17-29-503 |
MO: $50 online filing + no LLC annual report - cheapest non-haven option. WY: $100 filing + $60/yr minimum with stronger anonymity and charging-order protection.
Missouri annual obligations
What a Missouri LLC must file each year
- Due date
- None for LLCs
- Fee
- $0 annual report; no recurring SOS LLC fee
- What to file
- No LLC annual report to Secretary of State.
- Failure consequence
- No Missouri SOS annual report obligation for LLCs; tax filings may still apply.
- Filing portal
- Missouri annual filing portal
Wyoming annual obligations
What a Wyoming LLC must file each year
- Due date
- First day of anniversary month
- Fee
- $60/year minimum Annual Report
- What to file
- Annual Report due by the first day of the anniversary month; greater of $60 or $0.0002 x Wyoming assets.
- Failure consequence
- Late penalty and eventual administrative dissolution.
- Filing portal
- Wyoming annual filing portal
Missouri name rules
LLC name requirements in Missouri
- Required designators include LLC, L.L.C., or Limited Liability Company.
- Name must be distinguishable from existing MO entities.
- Name reservation: $25.
- Search at MO name search.
Wyoming name rules
LLC name requirements in Wyoming
- Required designators include LLC, L.L.C., or Limited Liability Company.
- Name must be distinguishable from existing WY entities.
- Name reservation: $25 for 120 days.
- Search at WY name search.
City-specific guides
Missouri and Wyoming LLC formation by city
State rules apply statewide; city guides cover local context and additional permits.
Registered agents
Registered agent requirements: Missouri vs. Wyoming
| Requirement | Missouri | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Required | Yes | Yes |
| Who can serve | MO resident 18+ with in-state street address, or registered MO entity | WY resident 18+ with in-state street address, or registered WY entity |
| Self-serve allowed | Yes (address becomes public state record) | Yes (address becomes public state record) |
| Consent required | Consent or appointment captured in the formation filing | Consent or appointment captured in the formation filing |
| Commercial RA typical cost | $50–$150/yr | $50–$150/yr |
Decision framework
How to choose: Missouri vs. Wyoming LLC
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Compare fixed cost: MO $50 lifetime state filing vs. WY $100 + $60/year Missouri wins pure state-fee cost for a local operating LLC. Wyoming is still cheap, but not cheaper than Missouri.
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Compare privacy and charging-order protection Wyoming wins privacy and asset protection. Missouri is a low-cost operating state, not a privacy haven.
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Decide whether you need a haven at all For a St. Louis service business, Missouri simplicity beats Wyoming dual compliance. For a passive holding company, Wyoming may be worth the extra $60/year.
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Decision matrix: choose the operating state for local revenue Choose Missouri when employees, storefront, inventory, licenses, or recurring customers are primarily there. A Wyoming shell does not remove Missouri nexus, local licenses, or state tax filings.
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Decision matrix: choose Wyoming for structure-driven planning Choose Wyoming when the LLC is a holding company, privacy structure, investor-facing entity, or multi-state vehicle and the annual carrying cost is justified by Wyoming's legal advantages.
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Price the foreign-qualification trap before filing A Wyoming LLC operating in Missouri must register as a foreign LLC in Missouri and usually loses the low-cost simplicity that made Missouri attractive. A Missouri LLC operating only in Missouri avoids Wyoming registered-agent and annual-report overhead.
Provenance
Statute basis & official sources
Last verified 2026-10-23.
Missouri LLC Act, Mo. Rev. Stat. Chapter 347; Wyoming LLC Act, Wyo. Stat. 17-29-101 et seq. and 17-29-503.
Why you need an LLC (either state)
- Operating without an LLC leaves the owner personally exposed for business debts, leases, and lawsuits.
- Forming in the wrong state can create dual annual reports, dual registered agents, and avoidable foreign-qualification filings.
- Ignoring state or local tax registrations can trigger penalties, interest, loss of good standing, or revocation of authority to transact business.
- Banks and payment processors commonly require an EIN, filed formation document, and operating agreement before opening business accounts.
FAQ
Missouri vs. Wyoming LLC — common questions
Is Missouri cheaper than Wyoming for an LLC?
Yes on state fees. Missouri is $50 online with no annual report; Wyoming is $100 plus a $60 minimum annual report.
Why choose Wyoming over Missouri?
Wyoming is chosen for privacy, charging-order exclusivity, no state income tax, and holding-company planning rather than for the absolute lowest state fee.
Is Missouri a haven state?
No. Missouri is a cheap and practical operating state, but it does not market the anonymity and asset-protection package that Wyoming does.
What is the year-1 and year-3 state-fee comparison for MO vs. WY?
Missouri: about $50 year 1 and $50 through year 3 for Secretary of State LLC fees. Wyoming: about $160 year 1 and $280 over 3 years. Missouri is cheaper; Wyoming buys privacy and asset-protection features.
Should I form in Wyoming if I actually operate in Missouri?
Usually no for a local operating business. If the LLC has employees, property, local licenses, or repeated in-state sales in Missouri, it generally must register and comply there even if formed in Wyoming. The out-of-state formation only makes sense when the legal structure advantage is worth dual compliance.
Does state-level anonymity hide the owner from banks and the IRS?
No. State-level anonymity controls what appears on the Secretary of State website. Banks must still identify the owners when you open an account, and the IRS EIN application names a responsible party. Courts can also order disclosure. Treat anonymity as public-record privacy, not invisibility.
§ A Building permits by city
§ B LLC formation guides
§ C Companion tools
Disclaimer: Informational only — not legal advice. LLC laws change; verify with a Missouri or Wyoming business attorney or CPA before filing.