Complete guide to permits and licenses required to start a towing in Kansas City, MO. Fees, renewal cycles, and agency contacts.
Towing specifically listed; police rotation list requires separate application
Requires criminal background check and drug screening
Fire and building code compliance required
NFPA 1 storage requirements for flammable liquids in towed vehicles
Required for all LLCs. Annual report also required ($0 fee online).
All active LLCs must file annually to maintain good standing.
File in each county where business operates. Renews every 5 years ($7).
Required for all non-consensual towing operators. Must display registration number on vehicles.
Each driver/operator must be individually licensed.
Required if storing towed vehicles. Must meet facility standards.
Towing services generally exempt, but parts sales require license.
12 false alarms/year triggers permit revocation
Required for all employers with one or more employees in Missouri, including LLC members if they receive wages. Agricultural and domestic workers may be exempt under certain conditions. Sole proprietors without employees are exempt.
Missouri law requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 for property damage (25/50/10). Applies to all vehicles used in towing operations.
Required for employers withholding state income tax.
Register online through myReemployment.mo.gov
Towing services are generally not subject to Missouri sales tax unless they include taxable parts or accessories. However, if the business sells towed items or charges for taxable supplies, registration is required. Digital services or software sold with towing may also be taxable. See Mo. Rev. Stat. § 144.010(1)(a).
Required for all employers in Missouri. Employers must withhold state income tax from employee wages and remit it to the state. Registration is done through the Missouri Combined Online Registration (COR) system.
All employers with one or more employees must register. New employers pay a standard rate of 3.0% on the first $7,000 of wages per employee annually. Rates may change annually based on experience rating. See Mo. Rev. Stat. § 288.041.
LLCs taxed as corporations must file Form MO-10. LLCs taxed as pass-through entities (default) are not subject to corporate income tax but must file Form MO-1065 or MO-1120S if electing corporate treatment. Missouri imposes a corporate income tax at 4% of federal taxable income apportioned to Missouri (as of 2023).
Missouri repealed its franchise tax effective January 1, 2016. No franchise tax is currently imposed on LLCs or corporations. See Mo. Rev. Stat. § 142.010 as amended by HB 1578 (2015).
Many cities (e.g., St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield) require a local business license or impose a privilege tax. For example, Kansas City imposes a 1% earnings tax on gross receipts (KCMO Code Ch. 56). Registration is typically with the city treasurer or revenue division. No statewide uniform system.
Required for all LLCs with employees or multiple members. Single-member LLCs without employees may use SSN but must obtain EIN if opening a business bank account or electing corporate taxation. Obtained via IRS Form SS-4 or online.
Applies to heavy trucks used in towing operations (e.g., wreckers, heavy-duty tow trucks). Must file IRS Form 2290 annually for each vehicle. See 26 U.S.C. § 4481. Vehicles under 55,000 lbs are exempt.
Not legally required by the state of Missouri, but strongly recommended and often required by contracts, leases, or local jurisdictions. May be required for business licensing in certain municipalities.
A $10,000 surety bond is required for all towing companies operating for compensation. This is mandated under Missouri Revised Statutes § 307.800–307.860. The bond ensures compliance with state towing laws and consumer protection standards.
Not legally required in Missouri for towing businesses, but recommended to protect against claims of negligence or improper handling of vehicles. May be required by some clients or contracts.
Not required unless the business sells physical products (e.g., towing accessories, parts). Most towing businesses do not sell products and thus are not subject to this requirement.
Only applicable if the business serves or sells alcohol. Towing businesses are not involved in alcohol service and therefore exempt.
Single-member LLCs without employees may use the owner's SSN, but obtaining an EIN is recommended for liability separation. EIN is required for business banking.
Most LLCs are pass-through entities; profits/losses reported on owner’s personal return. Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065; single-member file Schedule C.
Towing businesses must provide hazard communication training, maintain injury logs (if 10+ employees), and ensure safe vehicle operation practices. 29 CFR 1910 and 1926 apply where relevant.
While most towing services are mobile, any customer-facing location or digital platform (e.g., website for booking) must meet ADA accessibility standards.
Towing businesses storing fuel or oil for vehicles/equipment must prepare and implement an SPCC Plan certified by a professional engineer.
Federal UST regulations apply to tanks holding 1,100 gallons or more of petroleum. Includes leak detection, spill prevention, and operator training.
Towing businesses must avoid deceptive advertising (e.g., false pricing, fake emergency fees). Must disclose rates clearly and comply with "Truth in Advertising" standards under FTC Act Section 5.
Form I-9 must be completed for every employee; E-Verify is voluntary unless required by state law or federal contract.
Most towing businesses qualify under interstate commerce. Requires minimum wage, overtime pay (1.5x after 40 hours), and accurate recordkeeping.
Requires eligible employees to receive up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical/family reasons.
Required for towing companies operating across state lines. Includes registration under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and International Registration Plan (IRP). Must file quarterly fuel tax returns under IFTA. See Mo. Rev. Stat. § 301.300.
Required for all tow truck operators within city limits; includes insurance proof and vehicle inspection
Separate from operator license; requires dispatch facility compliance if applicable
Home occupation prohibited for towing (Zoning Code Sec. 26.60.010); cite specific district zoning ordinance
Applies county-wide outside Kansas City limits; requires 30-day notice for rate changes
Rotation list eligibility requires additional background checks; police-approved towers only
Electronic signs require additional electrical permit
Requires USDOT Number, MC Number (for for-hire carriers), driver qualifications, hours-of-service logs, vehicle inspections, and drug testing program. 49 CFR Parts 385, 390–399 apply.
Towing businesses generating hazardous waste must use EPA ID number, manifest shipments, and comply with storage limits under RCRA Subtitle C.
All LLCs formed or registered in Missouri must file an Annual Report each year by April 30. This is a requirement for maintaining good standing. The report includes business address, registered agent information, and management structure.
Towing services are subject to Missouri sales tax. The business must hold a valid sales tax license. While there is no expiration, the license must be kept current with address, ownership, or operational changes. Sales tax returns must be filed monthly, quarterly, or annually based on volume.
Towing services are taxable in Missouri. Frequency of filing is assigned by the Department of Revenue based on expected tax liability. Most small businesses start as monthly or quarterly filers.
Employers must register for Missouri withholding tax, withhold state income tax from employee wages, and file Form MO-101. Deposits and filings are due monthly or quarterly depending on the amount withheld.
An EIN is a one-time requirement. It does not expire. However, a new EIN may be needed if the business structure changes (e.g., from sole proprietorship to LLC).
A multi-member LLC taxed as a partnership or an LLC that elected S-Corp status must file Form 1065 or Form 1120-S by March 15. Single-member LLCs disregarded for tax purposes report income on Schedule C of the owner’s personal return (due April 15).
Missouri imposes a franchise tax on corporations and certain LLCs taxed as corporations. The tax is based on capital used in the state. Most LLCs not electing corporate taxation are not subject to this tax.
Missouri law requires employers with one or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Towing is classified as a high-risk industry, so premiums may be higher. Coverage must be continuous.
The Missouri sales tax license must be visibly posted at the business location(s) where taxable sales occur.
Employers must display posters informing employees of minimum wage, overtime, OSHA rights, FMLA, and other labor protections. Federal posters available at dol.gov; Missouri-specific posters available at labor.mo.gov.
Commercial vehicles used in towing must undergo annual safety inspections per Missouri Commercial Driver’s License standards. Inspections must be performed by certified mechanics and documentation retained.
IRS recommends keeping business tax records for at least 3 years. Missouri DOR follows similar guidelines. Records include sales, expenses, employment, and vehicle logs.
Many Missouri cities (e.g., Kansas City, St. Louis) require a local business license. Renewal is typically annual. Check with the specific city clerk or revenue division for exact deadlines and fees.
Businesses that file sales tax returns must submit an annual reconciliation (Form 1960) by January 31, summarizing the year’s activity. This is automatically required if sales tax was collected during the year.
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique tax ID number assigned by the IRS to businesses operating in the United States. Even if you don’t plan to hire employees, you likely need an EIN to open a business bank account and file certain tax returns; the IRS offers this service for free.
Yes, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has strict rules regarding truth-in-advertising and consumer protection. These rules cover areas like pricing transparency, accurate descriptions of services, and avoiding deceptive practices, and fees vary depending on the specifics of your business.
You should maintain detailed records of all income and expenses, including invoices, receipts, mileage logs, and employee payroll information. The IRS requires these records for accurate tax filing and potential audits, and there is no fee for record retention itself.
If you operate as a sole proprietorship or single-member LLC, you'll typically file taxes annually using Schedule C with your personal income tax return. If you operate as a multi-member LLC or corporation, you’ll file using Form 1120-S or 1120, and there is no initial filing fee.
Estimated tax payments are payments made to the IRS throughout the year to cover income tax and self-employment tax liabilities. These are important because they help you avoid underpayment penalties at tax time, and the amount varies based on your projected income.
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