Business Selection Checklist Example

Submitted By dlwisemankc83
Words: 1138
Pages: 5

BUSINESS REGISTRATION CHECKLIST
As you prepare to register your business, please use this checklist to ensure that you have the information needed to successfully complete your registration. The links provided at the end of each section will take you to web sites that can provide a more detailed explanation of the information required.

Name Check
Before drafting articles of organization, it is imperative that you check the availability of the desired business name with the Secretary of State’s office, https://www.sos.mo.gov/BusinessEntity

Ownership
Ownership type - Review legal formation guidelines to select the proper business structure for you. http://www.missouribusiness.net/doingbusiness/legalform.pdf • Ownership types: Sole owner Partnership Limited Partnership Government Trust Corporation Limited Liability Company Estate Indian Tribe Religious Organization Fraternal Organization Labor Organization/Union Association Other Not-for-Profit Limited Liability Partnership Limited Liability Limited Partnership If already registered with the Secretary of State, will need registration or charter number and date of registration or charter If non-Missouri corporation, need certificate of authority number, registration/charter date, and a certificate of good standing not more than 60 days old from the state of incorporation If exempt from registering with the Missouri Secretary of State, need to state why • Most businesses that are sole proprietorships and general partnerships must be registered with the Secretary of State’s office. Missouri law requires any person or business entity which transacts business in the state under a name other than their own “true name” to register that business name with the Secretary of State’s office as a Fictitious Name Registration. For a sole proprietorship or partnership, a business name is generally considered “fictitious” unless it contains the last name and a recognizable form of the first name of the owner or all of the general partners and does not suggest the existence of additional owners. For example, use of a name which includes words like “company,” “associates,” “brothers,” or “sons” suggest additional owners and makes it necessary for the business to file a fictitious name registration. All Missouri corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships are required to register with the Secretary of State’s office. In most cases, foreign entities are required to register; however, you may want to consult with an attorney or an accountant to determine if your business meets one of the exemptions. If a non-profit corporation, need: • Designate whether the corporation is a public benefit or mutual benefit corporation • See the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division for more information, http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/startBusiness.asp If Limited Liability Company (LLC), need: • Management by manager or members • Tax type: Partnership, Sole Owner, Corporation If Limited Partnership (LP), need: • General Partner and Limited Partner information and other matters the general partners want to include

If Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), need: • Number and names of partners For more information, refer to the Secretary of State’s Starting a Business page, http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/startBusiness.asp

Registered agent
If you use a Registered Agent, provide the name and address of the registered agent. For more information, refer to the Secretary of State’s FAQ page regarding Registered Agents, http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/faqs.asp#toc2

Federal Employer Identification Number
If required to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you will need to have the Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) for your business. The IRS requires most businesses that employ workers, including all corporations, to have a FEIN. For more information, refer to the Internal