St. Louis, MO Payroll Tax Registration

Dec 23, 2025

If you are an employer in St. Louis, Missouri, it is important to be aware of the local payroll tax requirements for businesses operating in the city. These requirements may include registering your business with the city and withholding a certain percentage of your employees' wages for local taxes.

How to Register for Payroll Tax in St. Louis

St. Louis, Missouri Local Earnings Tax Withholding and Payroll Expense Tax Setup for Corporation, LLC, LLP, Professional Corporation, PLLC

Every employer with employees living or working in the City of St. Louis must withhold St. Louis City earnings tax on their gross earnings. In addition, city-resident employers must also withhold earnings taxes on all employees regardless of work location. Businesses in St. Louis must open an earnings tax account before operating in St. Louis. Unless exempted, only companies with employees working in the City of St. Louis must pay Payroll Expense tax.

  1. Complete an Application for Earnings Tax Account

    Complete a City of St. Louis Application for Earnings Tax Account form.

  2. File Your Application for Earnings Tax Account

    File your completed Application for Earnings Tax Account form with the St. Louis Earnings Tax Department by email.

Documents and Resources

St. Louis, MO Payroll Registration Agencies

Use Mosey to register for payroll accounts in St. Louis.

Register for payroll taxes with the state of Missouri

How to register your business in more Missouri cities

See all

More from the blog

Learn how to keep your business compliant in all 50 states across payroll, HR, Secretary of State, and tax.

How To Check Your Business Compliance Status

Managing a business involves handling your day-to-day operations and complying with state and federal requirements. You have more freedom and flexibility in how you shape and grow your business, but compliance leaves little room for error. Complying with state and local requirements is mandatory. Compliance allows your business to continue operating without interruption, and it’s important to stay on top of everything for a consistent flow.

Kaitlin Edwards | Mar 26, 2024

Corporate Tax Rates by State 2024

Corporations may be expected to pay two types of income tax depending on the state where they’re registered. Every business is responsible for paying federal corporate taxes, and some states will be responsible for paying state corporate taxes. Corporate tax rates vary from state to state. Some states use a flat rate, some use a bracket system, and some don’t have any corporate tax requirements. Here’s what you need to know about corporate tax rates by state and how Mosey can help you remain compliant.

Gabrielle Sinacola | Apr 28, 2024

What Is SUI? State Unemployment Insurance FAQs

If you’re a stakeholder in HR, finance, or even the founder of a small to mid-sized company, you already know state compliance can get tricky, especially when it comes to fluctuating tax rates. With that in mind, let’s discuss state unemployment insurance, commonly abbreviated SUI. What Is SUI? State unemployment insurance, or SUI, is an employer-funded tax designed to provide short-term financial support to employees who have been laid off or terminated without misconduct. If you’re operating a U.S.-based business — especially one that spans multiple states — you’ll find that SUI tax rates are diverse.

Kaitlin Edwards | Nov 5, 2023

Ready to get started?

Schedule a free consultation to see how Mosey transforms business compliance.