How to Form a Non-Profit Organization in Missouri
With the 18th largest population in the United States, Missouri services both large and small businesses. Missouri’s major industries include transportation, food processing, and chemicals.
When forming a Non-Profit organization in the state of Missouri, you must complete the following requirements:
- Select an organization name according to requirements
- Fulfill director requirements
- Decide if you will have members
- Appoint a registered agent
- File certificate of formation and submit fees
- Register your federal tax ID number
- File charitable registration
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Select Business Name According to State Requirements
- Name requirement: Your nonprofit’s name needs to be distinguishable from all other businesses on record with the Missouri Secretary of State, and the name cannot state or imply a purpose different from that described in your nonprofit’s Articles of Incorporation.
- You can do a preliminary name availability search on the Missouri Secretary of State’s website.
File Articles of Incorporation and Submit Filing Fees
- To start a non-profit corporation in Missouri, you must file nonprofit articles of incorporation with the Missouri Secretary of State.
- Filing Fee: $27
- Processing Time: The Missouri Secretary of State’s office will process mailed filings in around 5-10 days. File your articles online at the Missouri Secretary of State’s website, and you will get a response typically within 24 hours.
- Deliver your articles in person to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office, and you can get your documents processed while you wait.
Appoint a Registered Agent
- Missouri requires your nonprofit corporation to appoint a Missouri registered agent, and the state will reject your Articles of Incorporation if you don’t.
- Why? Because a registered agent is always available at the same Missouri street address during normal business hours, and this allows the state and the public to reliably contact your nonprofit corporation through your registered agent.
Register Your Federal Tax ID Number with the IRS
- You will need to get an employer identification number (an EIN) as soon as your nonprofit’s articles of incorporation have been approved by the state.
- You will need an EIN to open a bank account, to apply for federal and state tax exemptions, and to register as a Missouri charity.
Complete Biennial Report
- Your Missouri nonprofit is required to file an initial and annual registration report with the Secretary of State.
- Both reports must include updated or confirmed business information (for example: your nonprofit’s name, address, and/or registered agent).
- Annual Report Deadline: The initial registration report must be submitted within 30 days after forming your nonprofit. The annual registration report must be filed by August 31st each year.
- If it is easier to remember, you can file a Biennial Registration Report instead. As a result, you will still pay for two years of reports, but you’ll only file every other year. Due by the end of the month that marks the anniversary of incorporation.
- Filing Fee: The annual filing fee is $21.25 online (including the $1.25 processing fee) and $45 with a mailed form.
Establish At Least One LLC Member or Manager
- Member requirements: You must have 3 or more directors.
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