Mississippi State Law

Mississippi businesses must register with the Secretary of State before conducting business. Sole proprietors using a trade name must file a DBA with the county chancery clerk. Businesses with employees…

Source: MS Secretary of State

Mississippi employers who pay $1,500 or more in wages in any calendar quarter or employ at least one worker in 20 weeks of a year must register with the Department…

Source: MS Department of Employment Security

Mississippi LLCs are formed by filing a Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State and paying a $50 fee. All LLCs must designate a registered agent with a Mississippi…

Source: MS Secretary of State

Mississippi corporations are formed by filing Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State and paying a minimum $50 fee based on authorized shares. Corporations must designate a registered agent…

Source: MS Secretary of State

Mississippi LLCs and corporations must file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State by April 15 each year. The filing fee is $25 for LLCs and $25 for corporations.…

Source: MS Secretary of State

Mississippi is phasing out its corporate income tax under legislation enacted in 2022. The rate dropped to 4% in 2025 and is scheduled to reach 0% by 2029. C corporations…

Source: MS Department of Revenue

Mississippi imposes a state sales tax of 7% on retail sales of tangible personal property and certain services, one of the highest state rates in the country. There are no…

Source: MS Department of Revenue

Mississippi does not have a state minimum wage law and defaults to the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. Tipped employees may be paid $2.13 per hour provided tips bring…

Source: MS Department of Employment Security

Mississippi employers with five or more employees must carry workers compensation insurance. Employers in the construction industry must provide coverage with one or more employees. Coverage may be obtained through…

Source: MS Workers Compensation Commission

Mississippi professional licensing is administered through multiple state boards covering engineers, architects, real estate agents, healthcare providers, accountants, and contractors. The Secretary of State One Stop Business Portal provides a…

Source: MS Secretary of State

Mississippi requires contractors performing work valued at $50,000 or more to be licensed by the State Board of Contractors. Residential contractors performing work of $10,000 or more must also be…

Source: MS State Board of Contractors

The Mississippi Advantage Jobs program provides cash rebates to qualifying businesses that create a minimum number of new full-time jobs meeting wage thresholds. Rebates are calculated as a percentage of…

Source: MS Development Authority

The Mississippi Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) network provides free business advising, financial analysis assistance, and training to Mississippi entrepreneurs. The network is hosted by the University of Mississippi and…

Source: MS Small Business Development Center

Home-based businesses in Mississippi are regulated by local city and county zoning ordinances. Most jurisdictions permit home occupations as an accessory residential use subject to restrictions on signage, customer visits,…

Source: MS Development Authority