Business Licenses

If you are opening a business in Greene County, there may be several licenses that you will need to purchase. Please check on any that apply to your business.

Merchant License

The cost of a merchant license is $25.00 annually. An application can be filled out on this site, printed on your printer, and mailed, emailed, or faxed to the Collector's office (see details on the application); you may also obtain an application in the office of the County Collector. Merchant licenses bills are then sent out every November and due by December 31st of each year. The license is active starting January 1st (the day after the bill is due) and run through the end of that year. If you open a business during the course of the year, you will still pay the full 25.00 as it cannot be prorated. As an example, if you open your business on August 1st, you will pay 25.00 for a Merchant License for that calendar year. You will then be billed in November (due Dec 31st) for the following year.

Every person, corporation, partnership or association of persons who deals as a merchant at a location within Greene County is required to obtain a county merchant license. If the merchant has multiple business locations, a separate license is required for each location. The license is in addition to, not in lieu of, any other federal, state or local licensing requirements.

A merchant is any person, corporation, partnership or association of persons who engages in the sale of goods, wares and merchandise at wholesale or retail. They may be made from a stock of goods on hand or by ordering goods from another source.

A strictly "service" business is not required to have a merchant license. However, many service businesses are also merchants and therefore need a merchant license. Here are a few examples:

• A lawn care business which supplies the fertilizer it uses.
• A handyman who supplies the parts needed to do the repairs.
• A photographer who sells prints.
• A plumber who supplies parts.
• A landscaper who provides the plants.

State Law requires the merchant license applicant, as a part of his merchant license application, to provide his state sales tax number or a sales tax exemption statement from the Sales Tax Division of the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Auctioneer License

An auctioneer license application can be obtained in the Greene County Office of the County Clerk 940 N Boonville Ave Room 113 Springfield, MO 65802. For additional information call the County Clerk at (417) 868-4055

Liquor License

State Liquor License:
Truman State Office Bldg 8th Floor P.O. Box 837
Jefferson City MO, 65102    (573) 751-2333

County Liquor License:
County Clerk (417) 868-4055

City Liquor License:
Check with the city in which you will operate for their requirements.

City Business License

Each city or town in which you operate might have additional licensing laws. Click here for the municipalities in Greene County.

State Sales Tax License

The Missouri Department of Revenue administers sales tax licensing. The state office is located in Jefferson City. Their website is www.dor.mo.gov and has a lot of useful information and links. Their phone number is (573) 751-2836