Apply for an Employer Identification number (also known as an EIN or FEIN) if you don’t already have one. The simplest (and preferred way) is to apply for an EIN with the IRS online. There is no cost to apply for an EIN.

To read more about applying for an EIN, read our help article, “Your Step-by-step Guide on How to Apply for EIN”

Although it is not required, we recommend that you register for this federal tax paying system. You can easily register online. This account will be helpful for you to make tax payments online, or view whatever tax filings have been made on your behalf by Patriot.

To find out more about the EFTPS, please read our article, “What Is EFTPS?”

You can register your business online using the Online Business Registration. This application will be sufficient for both your withholding taxes, also known as State Income Taxes (SIT), and your Unemployment Taxes, also known as State Unemployment Insurance (SUI).

Employers in Missouri will receive a State Unemployment Tax Assessment (SUTA) rate every year.

The Missouri new employer SUTA rate is 2.376% in 2026 for most industries. The exception is as follows:

To learn more about SUTA, please read our article, “What Is SUTA Tax?”

Missouri does have some localities with income taxes. You will also need to register with your local government if your business is affiliated in Kansas City or St. Louis.

You must have workers’ comp insurance if you have at least 5 employees in Missouri. You can sign up for workers’ comp insurance through a private provider or state-operated fund. Learn more about workers’ comp requirements in Missouri here.

Patriot’s online payroll offers free pay as you go (PAYG) workers’ comp integration with our partner, ERGO NEXT Insurance. You can get a free quote with ERGO NEXT here.

The Missouri Workplace Retirement Savings Plan is a voluntary multi-employer retirement plan.

Patriot has partnered with Vestwell to offer affordable retirement plans for small businesses that integrate with our payroll software. Learn more here.

Fill out the required Form I-9 for worker verification in the USA. To learn more please read, “Form I-9 In a Nutshell”

You must retain each employee’s completed Form I-9 as long as the individual works for you. For more information, please read, “What Should Be in an Employee File?”

Employees need to fill out Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, for federal income taxes.

For more information, read our help article, “What Is a W-4 Form, and What Is it Used for?”

Employees should complete Form MO W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate for state income taxes (SIT).

Missouri employers need to report new hires within 20 days of hire or rehire on either Form W-4 or an equivalent. Fax forms to 1-877-573-6172 or mail to:

For more information, please visit the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Missouri employers must comply with either federal and Missouri minimum wage laws, whichever is higher. Use the Missouri minimum wage law of $15.00 per hour for 2026. Learn more at the Missouri Department of Labor Standards.

By law you are required to post the minimum wage poster for Missouri where employees can read it.

Get annual posters and all federal, state, county, and city labor law updates with Patriot’s labor law poster store, powered by PosterElite!