Missouri tax laws can be difficult to keep up with, especially for busy business owners. Frequent changes to Missouri tax law can be confusing and it is hard to know whether a law applies to you or not.

However, understanding Missouri state tax law is essential to the success of any business. Even a slight mistake could mean big legal trouble. Because of this, most companies choose to hire Missouri tax attorneys and other professionals who have a knowledge of the tax law in Missouri.

When you think about Missouri tax laws:

1. Determine if full-time tax help is necessary. If you are a large corporation, you may want to consider hiring full-time tax lawyers in Missouri. If you are still a small company, it is probably more cost effective to hire an attorney on retainer.

2. Decide whether there are some things you can do on your own. Some things, such as filing simple tax forms can be performed by yourself.

3. Understand the tax filing timeline. You may have to file taxes quarterly or semi-annually. Check about your specific situation.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand MO tax law by going straight to the source

You can find the best Missouri tax law resources when you go straight to the source--the Missouri Department of Revenue. This branch of the state government handles all issues related to your Missouri taxes.

I recommend: While the Missouri Department of Revenue does offer several Missouri tax law resources online, they also offer convenient training seminars to help new business owners get off on the right foot.

Take care of MO tax law issues by yourself

If you have a small company, your tax issues may be simple enough to handle on your own. You simply need the right Missouri tax forms.

I recommend: Download any Missouri tax forms you may need from the Missouri Department of Revenue's website. You can also file and pay your taxes online, which is convenient for many business owners. When you are filing your own taxes, it is very important for you to keep good financial records. Software such as Quicken can help you do this, while TurboTax may help you to uncover extra deductions.

Work with MO tax law professionals for added security

If Missouri tax law is not your area of specialty, it's a good idea to hire professionals to help you out. You can usually hire someone part time or on an as-needed basis if this better suits your business.

I recommend: The Missouri Bar Association provides personalized lawyer referral services for a small fee. They also offer a free service called LawyerSearch that allows you to search for Missouri tax attorneys that are accepting new clients. Don't forget to hire a certified professional accountant (CPA)! The Missouri Society of Accountants helps you find a qualified accountant in your area.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you don't anticipate needing frequent advice from tax attorneys in Missouri, you should consider hiring a lawyer that works on a per-hour basis instead of one that charges a monthly retainer.