How do I get a business license?

Kansas Secretary of State (entity formation) / Kansas Department of Revenue (sales tax registration) / City/County for local licenses

Step by Step

How to do it

Determine your business structure: sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, partnership
Register your business entity with the Kansas Secretary of State (for LLCs and corporations) - file online at sos.ks.gov/business; Kansas uses an online Business Entity Filing Center
Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS at irs.gov if forming an entity, hiring employees, or operating as a partnership
Register with the Kansas Department of Revenue for a Retailer's Sales Tax Registration if you sell taxable goods or services in Kansas - register online at ksrevenue.gov (Business Tax Application/Business Registration); required to collect and remit Kansas sales tax; no fee for most registrations
Register with Kansas Department of Labor for unemployment insurance if you have employees - dol.ks.gov
Check with your city or county for local business licenses - most Kansas cities require a local business license or occupation tax certificate; county requirements vary
Check for industry-specific state licenses: contractors (Kansas Attorney General/State agencies), health professionals, real estate agents, cosmetologists, engineers, and others require state professional licenses through various agencies (professional licensing at sos.ks.gov or relevant state boards)
Renew entity annual report with Secretary of State; renew local license per city schedule

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Business name and type of activity
Kansas business address
Entity formation documents if LLC or corporation
EIN or Social Security number
Industry-specific certifications if applicable

Fee

LLC formation: $160 (online) / $165 (paper); corporation: $90 (online); annual report: $55 (online); Sales Tax Registration: free; local business license: varies widely ($25-$500+) RENEWAL: Entity annual report due by the 15th day of the 4th month after the fiscal year end; local license: annual per city schedule ONLINE OPTION: Yes - sos.ks.gov/business (entity formation and reports); ksrevenue.gov (tax registration); various agencies for professional licenses WHERE TO GO: Kansas Secretary of State (entity formation); Kansas DOR (sales tax); City Clerk (local license); relevant licensing board (professional licenses)

Online Option

Yes - sos.ks.gov/business (entity formation and reports); ksrevenue.gov (tax registration); various agencies for professional licenses

Where to Go

Kansas Secretary of State (entity formation); Kansas DOR (sales tax); City Clerk (local license); relevant licensing board (professional licenses)

County-specific variations apply

Kansas cities each independently administer local business licenses or occupation taxes. Johnson County cities (Olathe, Overland Park, Leawood, etc.), Sedgwick County cities (Wichita, Derby, etc.), and Shawnee County (Topeka) each have their own systems. Many smaller Kansas cities in rural areas may not require local business licenses at all. Verify with your specific city before operating.

Kansas Notes

Important state-specific details

Kansas LLC formation: $160 online - notably higher than many states.
Annual report fee: $55 online; due 4 months after fiscal year end; failure to file results in administrative dissolution.
Kansas sales tax: state rate 6.5%; local rates add 0%-3.5%; combined rates in urban areas often 8.5-10%; food (groceries): Kansas eliminated the sales tax on food in 2024 (reduced to 0% April 1, 2024) - major recent change.
Kansas no longer has a separate Commerce filing for most businesses - Secretary of State handles entity registration.
Kansas KDADS (Department for Aging and Disability Services): some health/care businesses require KDADS licensing.
Kansas income tax: graduated rates; corporations pay Kansas corporate income tax.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services - sos.ks.gov/business | (785) 296-4564; Kansas DOR (sales tax) - ksrevenue.gov | (785) 368-8222