How Much Does an LLC Cost in Kansas

It costs at least $160 to form an LLC in Kansas. But these additional expenses could increase the total to over $3,000.

So, you've decided to form a limited liability company in the home of the annual "Wizard of Oz" festival.

The question is: how much does it cost to form an LLC in Kansas? Use this in-depth guide to plan your budget.

You can also use the calculator below to get a clear picture of your minimum startup expenses.

Articles of Organization

One-Time Fee: $160 (online) | $165 (paper)^[1]

To form an LLC in Kansas, you must submit the Articles of Organization to the Secretary of State. Once the documents are approved, your LLC will be recognized as a separate legal entity.

A Kansas' Articles of Organization contains the following information, among other details:^[1]

• Limited liability company name
  
• Resident agent name and address
  
• Contact number

You can file the Articles of Organization online, by mail, or in person. Filings made online are typically processed on the same or next business day.

Foreign Application

One-Time Fee: $165^[2]

If you already have an LLC in another state and want to expand your business to Kansas, register it as a foreign LLC.

To create a foreign LLC in Kansas, you must file an Application for Registration of a Foreign Business with the Secretary of State. Don't forget to attach a Certificate of Good Standing from your domestic state.

Information Report

Biennial Fee: $100 (online) | $110 (paper)^[3]

All LLCs in Kansas must file information reports with the Secretary of State. It lets the government, banks, and anyone who can access public records know that your business is still active.

In Kansas, information reports are due every other year.^[4] So if your LLC was formed on an even year, you must file the information report in each succeeding even year.

The penalty for not submitting an information report is a one-time $85 fee.^[2] The Kansas Secretary of State might also forfeit your right to do business in the state.

Business Permits and Licenses

Annual Fee: Typically at least $50/yr

Kansas doesn't have a state-level general business license. Instead, it prefers to leave business licensing requirements to local jurisdictions and specific industries.

In Overland Park, a retail business must pay $50 to $100 annually for a license to sell cereal malt beverages in the city.^[5]

In Wichita, a mobile food vendor license costs $50 for a special event license or $350 for an annual license.^[6]

The number of permits and licenses your LLC needs depends on its business purpose. Some businesses may be regulated by various governmental offices simultaneously and could renew yearly.

Business Taxes

Annual Cost: 3.1% to 5.7% of taxable income^[7]

By default, the LLC doesn't pay income tax. Instead, the profits and losses are passed on to the owners, who are then charged an income tax. The income tax rate depends on your taxable income. However, rates may vary yearly because the state has no fixed tax.

2024 Kansas State Income Tax Rate:^[7]

On top of that, you must also pay federal income taxes.

2025 Federal Income Tax Rates:^[8]

Don't forget the 15.3% federal self-employment tax.^[9]

Optional Fees

While the fees below are generally optional, some are unavoidable depending on your business needs.

For example, obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing is often necessary when opening an LLC bank account.

Resident Agent Services

Annual Cost: $0, or $100-$300/yr

In Kansas, you must have a resident agent (also called a registered agent in other states) to receive business and legal documents for your LLC. This includes government notices, tax forms, and annual reporting forms.

You can technically be your LLC's resident agent—as long as you're at least 18 and have a physical street address in Kansas. You must also be available to receive documents during business hours.

However, your address will be on public record. So, many LLCs like to hire a registered agent service to keep their personal details private. These services usually charge $100-$300 per year to be your resident agent.

Operating Agreement

Cost: $0, or up to $500+

LLCs in Kansas are not required to have an operating agreement. However, it's recommended because it defines important rules and regulations that all members must follow.

An LLC operating agreement contains the following:

• The roles and responsibilities of each member
  
• How new or departing members will be treated
  
• How business profits and losses will be divided

Ideally, you should already have a signed Operating Agreement before forming an LLC in Kansas. But if your LLC is already formed, you can always draft it yourself after.

Alternatively, an LLC attorney might charge you a $500 flat fee for a standard operating agreement. If you have more complex details, the cost could be higher.

Employer Identification Number

Cost: $0, or $50 to $99

Any LLC with more than one member or with employees must have an EIN, regardless of how it's taxed. This is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify a business entity for tax-related purposes.

You can just apply for an EIN for free on the IRS website. But if you'd like an LLC service to process it for you, you can do so for a small fee. Here are some providers that do this and their pricing:

• Northwest Registered Agent: $50
  
• Bizee: $70
  
• ZenBusiness: $99

Single-member LLCs in Kansas don't require an EIN, but it's almost essential in practice. For instance, you'll need one if you hire employees or want to open a business bank account.

BOI Report

One-Time Cost: $0, or up to $149

The Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) is a one-time report that must be submitted to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) within 30 calendar days of your LLC's formation.^[10]

It includes information about the LLC's beneficial owners, including name, birth date, and address.

FinCEN doesn't charge a fee to submit your BOI report. But you can pay an LLC service to process it for you and save yourself the hassle:

• Northwest Registered Agent: $25
  
• LegalZoom: $149
  
• ZenBusiness: $149

You're considered a beneficial owner if you own 25% or more of the ownership interests in your LLC. Or if you exercise substantial control over the LLC.

Name Reservation

Cost: $30 (online) | $35 (paper)^[11]

You can reserve your desired name first if you've already got a business name but aren't ready to form an LLC. This will prevent others from using that name for 120 days.^[11]

Don't forget to review Kansas' naming regulations. For example, an LLC name must include LLC, Ltd., or similar.

Certificate of Amendment

Cost: $30 (online) | $35 (paper)^[12]

Your Kansas LLC's Articles of Organization contains specific details about your business. Should these details change, you must file an amendment to the Secretary of State.

File the Articles of Amendment if you:

• Change the LLC name
  
• Have a new contact number
  
• Appoint a new resident agent

Certificate of Good Standing

Cost: $10 (online) | $15 (paper)^[13]

A Certificate of Good Standing is an official document by the Secretary of State. It verifies that your LLC is updated with all state filings and has paid all its fees and taxes.

You might need a Certificate of Good Standing to:

• Open a bank account
  
• Apply for business loans
  
• Qualify for business insurance
  
• Conduct business as a foreign LLC

Certified Copies

Cost: $15 + $1 per page^[13]

Certified copies of documents verify that your LLC is legitimate and that its details are accurate.

You might need these for circumstances like opening a business bank account or expanding your LLC in another state.

Additionally, some LLCs keep certified copies of their initial Articles of Organization and amendments (if any) for recordkeeping purposes.

Business Website Domain

Annual Fee: $10 to $20

A website domain and social media presence provide dedicated online spaces for your business. It's essential for marketing, customer engagement, and brand visibility in today's digital world.

Even if you aren't planning to build a business website now, you could still buy the domain name. This will prevent others from using your LLC's name as a web address.

Business Insurance Premiums

Most businesses in Kansas with at least one employee must have a worker's compensation insurance.^[15] You can purchase from a private insurer, self-insure, or join group-funded self-insurance pools.

Your LLC might also be required to get other types of insurance:

• General liability insurance
  
• Commercial property insurance
  
• Professional liability insurance
  
• Cyber liability insurance

The cost depends on factors like the number of employees, the risk level of your industry, and your past insurance claims.

Curious to know how much it costs to maintain an LLC in Kansas? Use the calculator below to get a clear picture of your ongoing expenses.

Bottom Line

You need at least $160 to form an LLC in Kansas. You may also want to pay for a name reservation, resident agent fees, and business insurance.

That said, the total cost of forming an LLC in Kansas will increase depending on the additional services, documents, and licenses you need. Ultimately, it's never a bad idea to set aside an extra budget for unexpected fees.

References