How Do I Get Business License Bonded in Missouri?

In the state of Missouri, some licensed businesses are required to post a bond. This protocol applies to any business that intends to engage in sales activity. The amount of the required bond varies from business to business. The bond can be as low as $25. However, if your business plans to make a lot of sales, your bond can be more than $1,000. A business that intends to sell liquor will not have a bond less than $500.

Things You'll Need

• Funding
• Bond form

Instructions

1. Apply for a Sales Tax Number through the Missouri Department of Revenue, if you have not done so already. To obtain a Sales Tax number, complete the Missouri Tax Registration Application (see Resources). Submit the completed application to the address listed on the form.

2. Determine your required bond amount by using the Tax Bond Calculator tool that is located on the Missouri Department of Revenue website (see Resources). To use the bond calculator, you must enter your estimated monthly gross sales.

   If your required bond amount is less than $500, and you are not participating in liquor sales, you only have to obtain a $25 bond. If you have questions about your bond amount, contact the Department of Revenue.

3. Secure funding for your bond. The bond can be funded with your own cash, a surety bond, a letter of credit from a bank or a certificate of deposit. Surety bonds can be obtained from any insurance company that is licensed for bonding in the state of Missouri.

4. Make a photocopy of your surety bond to keep for your own records. If using a letter of credit or certificate of deposit, make a copy of those documents as well.

5. Complete the appropriate bond form. The exact form to complete will vary, depending upon the method you use to fund your bond (see Resources).

6. Mail your completed bond form to the Missouri Department of Revenue. The mailing address is listed below. If using a surety bond, include the original copy of the surety bond. Include the original letter of credit, if using a letter of credit. Include the certificate of deposit, if using a certificate of deposit. If using cash, do not submit cash. Instead, include a check or money order.

   Missouri Department of Revenue

   Taxation Division

   P.O. Box 357

   Jefferson City, Missouri 65105-0357

References

• Missouri Business Net: Licensing
• City of St. Louis License Collector: Frequently Asked Questions
• Missouri Department of Revenue: Sales/Use Tax Bond Information

Resources

• Missouri Department of Revenue: Missouri Tax Registration Application
• Missouri Department of Revenue: Sales/Use Tax Bond Calculator
• Missouri Department of Revenue: Sales and Use Tax Cash Bond
• Missouri Department of Revenue: Sales and Use Tax Surety Bond
• Missouri Department of Revenue: Sales and Use Tax Irrevocable Letter of Credit
• Missouri Department of Revenue: Assignment of Certificate of Deposit