Promote:
Invest in Missouri
A short guide for companies expanding into Missouri: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Missouri at a glance
PopulationEstimate
6.27 million
The population was 6,270,541 as of July 1, 2025.
Source: Census Bureau, state population estimates, July 1, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$475.4 billion
GDP was US$475,377.3 million in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$75,811
GDP per person was US$75,811.2 in 2025, in current dollars, computed from BEA's GDP and the Census Bureau's population estimate.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
1.2%
Real GDP growth was 1.2 percent in 2025, BEA's published percent change.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Currency and inflation: see the United States at a glance
2. Before you set up
The body that handles foreign investment, any one-stop route, the zones and other rules for investors, as the guide found them.
SelectUSA names the Missouri Partnership as the state economic development organization for Missouri.
Source: ITA, SelectUSA state development organizations (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Foreign companies register with the Secretary of State and separately obtain a retail sales license from the Department of Revenue; no single state portal for both was confirmed.
Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 347.153 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board's 2024 annual report lists 3 foreign-trade zones in Missouri.
Source: Foreign-Trade Zones Board, 2024 annual report, Appendix D (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
A foreign person must report an acquisition or transfer of an interest in farmland to the director of agriculture within thirty days, except for oil, gas, coal and lignite uses.
Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 442.592 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 2 more
Since August 28, 2025 a foreign national may not direct or take part in decisions on a person's spending to influence a Missouri ballot measure.
Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 130.179 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
A qualified company excludes any company headquartered in a country that the national intelligence director's annual threat assessments name as a national security risk.
Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 620.1641 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
This guide does not cover the activities reserved for nationals. Before you apply, ask the body named above that handles foreign investment which activities are reserved.
Investment rules across the United States: see Invest in the United States
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Missouri
- Register a foreign limited liability company with the Secretary of State before you transact business; a foreign corporation files for a certificate of authority.Missouri Secretary of StateOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 347.153 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get the retail sales license from the Department of Revenue before you make retail sales.Missouri Department of RevenueNo cost; issued within ten working days of a complete applicationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 144.083 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Register to withhold state income tax if you pay wages in Missouri.Missouri Department of RevenueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 143.191 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Register for unemployment insurance once you pay US$1,500 or more in wages in a calendar quarter.Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial RelationsWage test of US$1,500 in a quarterOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 288.032 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 3 more set-up steps
- Check insurance, banking and professional licenses with the Department of Commerce and Insurance.Missouri Department of Commerce and InsuranceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Missouri Senate, Commerce and Insurance budget notes, fiscal 2027 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
- Before you buy farmland, ask the Department of Agriculture which reviews apply, and file the foreign-person report within thirty days of an acquisition.Missouri Department of AgricultureReport due within thirty days of an acquisition or transferOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 442.592 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Ask the Department of Economic Development about incentives; the Missouri Partnership recruits new business for the state.Missouri Department of Economic DevelopmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Missouri Senate, Economic Development budget notes, fiscal 2027 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
Steps that apply across the United States: see Invest in the United States
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with DED. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
State economic development agency
DED
Missouri Department of Economic Development
Runs the state's business incentives and funds the Missouri Partnership, the state's business recruitment organization.
State business filing office
Secretary of State
Missouri Secretary of State
Registers foreign limited liability companies and issues certificates of authority and certificates of good standing.
Visit Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 347.044 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
DOR
Missouri Department of Revenue
Issues the retail sales license and administers state income tax withholding.
Visit DOR (opens in a new tab)Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 144.083 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
Labor and unemployment department
DOLIR
Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Runs the unemployment insurance program through its Division of Employment Security and administers workers' compensation.
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
City port authority
St. Louis Port Authority
Port Authority Commission of the City of St. Louis
Oversees public and private real estate development in the St. Louis Port District.
Visit St. Louis Port Authority (opens in a new tab)Source: City of St. Louis, Port Authority Commission page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
Missouri Chamber
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Represents employers before the General Assembly and agencies on tax, regulation and economic development.
Visit Missouri Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Missouri Chamber, About the Chamber (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
State manufacturers' and business association
AIM
Associated Industries of Missouri
Represents manufacturers and other businesses before the legislature and state agencies, and offers members seminars and cost-saving programs.
Visit AIM (opens in a new tab)Source: Associated Industries of Missouri, about the association (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Critical materials credit
From tax year 2027, the act credits 20 or 25 percent of project costs of US$5 million or more, excluding companies headquartered in countries named as risks.
What to do: Read the act's definition of a qualified company before you start a project.
Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 620.1641 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
State revenue outlook
The Senate Appropriations Committee reports fiscal 2026 net base general revenue of US$13,052.0 million, down 2.8 percent, and corporate income and franchise receipts down 23.2 percent.
What to do: Check the latest consensus revenue estimate before you rely on state incentive budgets.
Source: Missouri Senate, annual fiscal report, fiscal 2027 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Business tax rates
Corporate income is taxed at four percent, and no annual franchise tax applies for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2016.
What to do: Confirm the current rate with the Department of Revenue before you price a project.
Sources: Revisor of Statutes, section 143.071 (opens in a new tab); Revisor of Statutes, section 147.010 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Across the United States: see Worth knowing in Invest in the United States
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare the United States with other countriesSet the United States beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
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- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
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Promote:Missouri is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 3, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.