How to Start an LLC in Kansas (KS LLC 2024)


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein, founder of LLCBuddy, is a specialist in corporate formations, dedicated to guiding entrepreneurs and small business owners through the LLC process. LLCBuddy provides a wealth of streamlined resources such as guides, articles, and FAQs, making LLC establishment seamless. The diligent editorial staff makes sure content is accurate, up-to-date information on topics like state-specific requirements, registered agents, and compliance. Steve's enthusiasm for entrepreneurship makes LLCBuddy an essential and trustworthy resource for launching and running an LLC.

All Posts by Steve Goldstein →
Business Formation Expert  |   Fact Checked by Editorial Staff
Last updated: 
LLCBuddy™ offers informative content for educational purposes only, not as a substitute for professional legal or tax advice. We may earn commissions if you use the services we recommend on this site.
At LLCBuddy, we don't just offer information; we provide a curated experience backed by extensive research and expertise. Led by Steve Goldstein, a seasoned expert in the LLC formation sector, our platform is built on years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the nuances involved in establishing and running an LLC. We've navigated the intricacies of the industry, sifted through the complexities, and packaged our knowledge into a comprehensive, user-friendly guide. Our commitment is to empower you with reliable, up-to-date, and actionable insights, ensuring you make informed decisions. With LLCBuddy, you're not just getting a tutorial; you're gaining a trustworthy partner for your entrepreneurial journey.

How to Start an LLC in Kansas: If you’re looking to start an LLC in Kansas, you’ve come to the right page. Setting up an LLC is easy and cost-effective. To form an LLC, you must follow a few steps that include naming your LLC, hiring a registered agent, filing your formation documents, doing the operating agreement, and finally obtaining the EIN. You can easily set up your LLC at a very low cost in Kansas. Though, you must pay the mandatory state filing fee. These fees and charges can be tax deductible, making the LLC formation cost almost negligible.

On this page, You’ll find all the steps that must be taken to ensure that your Kansas LLC has been correctly formed. We recommend you read the whole article very carefully, word by word, don’t miss anything 🙂

How to Start an LLC in Kansas

An LLC (aka Limited Liability Company) is a hybrid business entity combining a corporation’s characteristics with a partnership or sole proprietorship. It separates your personal assets from your business assets, thus giving you personal asset protection. For an LLC, members’ personal assets are not affected by business debts. However, in some cases, if the LLC is sued for business debts, courts might pierce the corporate veil and use the owner’s personal assets to meet their corporate liabilities.

If you wish to start an LLC in Kansas, you must file your Articles of Organization with the State and pay a filing fee of $160. While it’s the most important step, it’s not the only one. There are 4 other crucial steps to follow to get your LLC formed in Kansas. Below are all 5 steps that explain everything you need to do to start a Kansas LLC in 2024. Let’s get started! You can always hire a professional LLC formation service in Kansas to set up your LLC instead of doing it alone; a Pro service will ensure everything is done properly.

Step 1: Decide a Name for Your Kansas LLC

kansas name your llc

The first step while forming a limited liability company in Kansas is to give a proper name to your LLC. Before you name your business, you must know that the name should be easy to remember, available in the state, and follows all the LLC naming guidelines.

Kansas LLC Naming Guidelines

There are a few specific requirements all the LLCs in Kansas have to follow while naming their Company. Some of the most important requirements are as follows:

  • Your business name should be available and no other existing business in Kansas can have the same name. ZenBusiness offers unlimited business name searches without any hassle.
  • “Limited Liability Company”, “LLC”, and “L.L.C.” – any one of these has to be used as a suffix in your business name.
  • You cannot use any name for your business that is confusing or misleading. Terms such as “Treasury”, “State Department”, “FBI”, “CIA”, etc. shouldn’t be included.
  • Terms like “Bank“, “University“, “Attorney“, “Doctor“, etc can be added only after the additional requirements by Kansas State Government are fulfilled.
  • (Optional) It’s better to name your business something for which your desired domain is available.
Important Links –Submit Offline Form to –
Kansas Business Entity Search – Online Search
Name Reservation Form – PDF
Name Availability Standards – Guidelines
Kansas LLC Name Search – Instructions
Kansas Office of the Secretary of State
Memorial Hall, 1st Floor
120 S.W. 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1594

Reserve Business Name for Future

If you do not wish to file your LLC right now but want to hold the name you have decided on, then you can reserve your LLC name for 120 days. To keep the name, you must file a name reservation application and pay $30 (online) & $35 (by mail) to reserve your name with the Kansas Secretary of State.

Doing Business As (DBA) or Trade Name

In Kansas, there is no mandatory or formal rule to register your Tarde Name or DBA. If anyone wishes to file a DBA in Kansas, they need to do it through a local body.

Recommended: You can do name search, business domain, website, emails, and a lot more in one place by hiring a professional service. We recommend using –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness($0 for LLC Formation)

Apart from LLC formation, ZenBusiness offers customized website templates and business emails at a very reasonable price. If you plan to get a website, then it is wise to have a “.com” domain for your business, but these days you can also use other TLDs like “.io”, “.company”, “.xyz,” etc. Here you can get everything you need for your business in one dashboard.

Do I have to include LLC in my company email/domain?

It is not legally mandatory to use the word LLC in your domain name or email. If you want, you can use it. However, it is recommended not to use LLC in the domain name. A domain name should be short and easy to remember.

Step 2: Assign a Resident Agent in Kansas

Kansas registered agent

The second step to forming an LLC in Kansas is to appoint a Resident Agent (also known as a registered agent in most states). A Resident Agent is a person or business entity working on your LLC’s behalf. This person or business will receive important tax forms, legal documents, all notices of lawsuits, and other official government correspondence in Kansas. Hence, hiring a competent Kansas Resident Agent for your LLC is necessary.

Make sure your registered agent is a resident of Kansas or has a physical street address. This address will be used as the principal address of your LLC to receive any legal documents. Most LLC formation companies also provide registered agent services. Below are two great LLC formation services; even if you buy their cheapest plan (normally $49/year), you also get registered agent service and other services at a very reasonable price.

LLC Service

Our Rating & Pricing

Top Features

Learn More

#1 TOP PICK

$0 + State Fees

  • 100% accuracy guarantee

  • Worry-free service

  • Great customer support

  • Established reputation

  • Extras are bit more expensive

  • Good customer support

These two are our top recommendations for registered agent service, as they are competent and authorized to conduct business in Kansas. Some LLC formation services also offer standalone Kansas registered agent services. You can purchase only Registered Agent services without purchasing any other LLC formation services. This standalone service might become handy if you are doing it yourself and don’t want to disclose your home address or you don’t want to pierce the corporate veil.

Who Can Be a Registered Agent?

A person above 18 years of age and has a physical address in the state of Kansas can be a Registered Agent. A Registered Agent can be an independent person or can be a business entity. One is responsible for handling all the legal documents on the LLCs behalf.

Can I Be My Own Registered Agent?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent if you are a resident of the state of Kansas and you are above 18 years of age. To become a registered agent, you must have the authority to conduct any type of business in Kansas.

Why Shouldn’t I be My Own Registered Agent?

There are a few reasons why you shouldn’t be your own registered agent. The address of the registered agent is used to communicate with the SOS or for any legal activities. If you are your own registered agent, you might have to upload your personal address to the public forum. Besides, the registered agent must be at the address during business hours. It won’t be easy for you as you also have to take care of other things in your LLC. Hence, it is wiser to appoint a separate entity as your registered agent.

What is Piercing the Corporate Veil in LLC?

If an LLC is sued in Kansas, in some cases, courts might decide to lift the corporate veil, which means the owners of the LLC will be personally liable for their business debts. They might have to forgo their personal assets to repay their business debts. This is called piercing the corporate veil, where personal and business assets are not separated anymore. Your personal assets can be protected if you have enough capital and all your LLC documents are properly filed.

Step 3: File Articles of Organization in Kansas

Kansas certificate of formation

The third and most important step in forming a Kansas LLC is to file the Articles of Organization. This Kansas Articles of Organization is a legal document needed to officially register your business with the Secretary of State. It costs $165 (by mail and $160 online) to file your formation certificate in Kansas.

The Articles of Organization include details like the name of the LLC, the registered agent’s name, address, employees’ details, and the company’s structure (member-managed or manager-managed). Before hiring employees in Kansas LLC, one should know about the rules and regulations thoroughly. Also if you are expanding your existing business (an LLC) in other states to Kansas, you must register as a Kansas Foreign LLC.

How to File Online

Go to the Secretary of State Online Service. You will get the online service page. If you are already a subscriber then click on the “log in to Subscribe Account” option and log in with your credentials. If you’re not subscribed, then you need to register to start filing your LLC by clicking on the “Online Filing” button below. Read more about the Kansas Articles of Organization for online registration.

How to File by Mail

If you prefer filing real-life forms for your Kansas LLC registration, then you can download Domestic LLC Formation Form. Read the form thoroughly, fill it out, and mail it to the following address,

Mailing Address:

Kansas Office of the Secretary of State
Memorial Hall, 1st Floor
120 S.W. 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612

Fax: 785-296-4570

Processing Time: Normally, it takes around 2 business days (approx) to get your LLC formed in Kansas. The processing time for online filing might be a little faster than offline filing. With an additional cost, you can get expedited filing as well. However, the document processing time can be changed due to various factors.

Recommended: Online LLC Formation service can provide all these documents way faster than usual time with lifetime customer support and 100% accuracy. We recommend using –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness – ($0 + State Fees) Online LLC Setup

Every LLC owner has to pay the filing fees to register their business in Kansas. This fee is mandatory but also tax deductible. If you’re doing it yourself (filing on your own), it will not cost you any additional service fee. However, it is not feasible to do that as the DIY process might be delayed, complicated, and messy, especially if you’re a novice entrepreneur. Hence, it is recommended to get professional guidance to get your LLC formed in Kansas.

Step 4: Create Your Kansas LLC Operating Agreement

kansas operating agreement

Moving on to the fourth step, filing your operating agreement. An operating agreement is a document that legally outlines the proprietorship and operating procedures of your LLC. This document is vital as it ensures that all business owners are on the same page regarding how they operate, thus reducing future conflicts.

When it comes to filing a Kansas LLC Operating Agreement, the state does not require you to have a comprehensive operating agreement, but it is ideal to have one that contains all the details of your business operation that helps in taking future business decisions, especially if you decide to dissolve Kansas LLC later. Hence, having an operating agreement may not be necessary but it is surely ideal.

Recommended: You can get a professionally made operating agreement for very less cost with ZenBusiness. You don’t need to worry about drafting it as they will take care of it on your behalf. We recommend using –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness – ($0 + State Fees) Online LLC Setup

The operating agreement draft can be created for free if you don’t hire a professional. However, there is an advantage to appointing a proficient person/service. You will get a businesslike quality operating agreement at a very cheap fee, which will help you in the future. Hiring a professional service means you can sleep well at night 🙂

Step 5: Filing a Kansas LLC EIN

kansas file EIN for llc

The Employer Identification Number (aka EIN) is a nine-digit number given by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make it easier to identify the type of business for tax purposes and taxes in general. The EIN is necessary for any active business or any form of business.

EIN is needed when the LLC hires employees. Hiring employees in Kansas LLC requires following specific rules and regulations. On the other side, EIN for Kansas foreign LLC should be obtained if your LLC is based in other states.

To obtain EIN (aka FEIN), one must fill up a form (Online or by mail) and submit it to the IRS. Enter details of your LLC, and finally complete the form and send it to the address given. You can also get an EIN Assistant who can help you with the process.

Mail to: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999

Fax: (855) 641-6935 | Fee: Free

Recommended: This hassle will be reduced when you hire an LLC formation service. They take care of obtaining EIN and all other things for your LLC. We recommend using –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness – ($0 + State Fees) Online LLC Setup

Note: You don’t need a Social Security number when getting an EIN. You can proceed to fill out I.R.S. Form SS-4 and leave section 7b blank. You must then call the IRS at (267) 941-1099 to complete your application. Agents or employees will help you with that.


Congratulations, you are now done with all the necessary steps to form your Limited Liability Company in Kansas. If you do it yourself, it should take you a long time to understand and do all the steps properly.

However, if you use ZenBusiness, it should be way faster. You will always have a live chat option and phone support with experts for any help you need. Their worry-free service will make things easier for you.


After Starting Your Kansas LLC

After forming your LLC, there are still some things that you will need. The most important thing is to separate your business and personal assets. LLCs have limited liability protection that protects your personal assets from business liability. This is called a corporate veil. However, the corporate veil can be lifted or pierced by the court if the LLC is sued. In that case, the owners of the LLC become personally liable for their corporate debts. A few things like appointing a legit registered agent, having enough capital, and filing all the major documents with the state can save the LLCs from being pierced into the corporate veil.

Apart from that, there are a few things you need to take note of,

This page has provided you with steps to LLC formation and filing processes. You now have to remember upcoming filing deadlines and filing fees or filing costs, including fees for late filings to make sure your LLC is up-to-date.

Cost of Kansas LLC

LLCs can be formed by spending less price. Apart from the mandatory state filing fees, you don’t have to bear additional service charges if you do it yourself. Following are the fees and taxes LLCs in Kansas must pay to register and run a business in the state. Forming an LLC is no doubt cost-effective compared to other business structures. However, the fees and charges (tax-deductible) that you must pay to the state, such as name reservation fee, name filing fee, LLC filing fee, and Franchise Tax & Sales Tax (If applicable). Here are the main fees and taxes you must pay while forming your limited liability company in Kansas,

Fees/TaxAmount to be Paid
Name Reservation Fee (online)$30
Name Reservation Fee (By mail)$35
Articles of Organization Fee$165 (by mail and $160 online)
LLC Biennial Fee (online)$50
LLC Biennial Fee (by mail)$55
Sales Tax6.5%

In Kansas, an LLC name reservation is mandatory and should be done at least 2 weeks before your LLC registration. You can register your LLC name at the time of registering your LLC. If you wish to hold the name for some time without registering your LLC, then you can do that online. Your LLC name will be reserved for 1 year without registering your LLC. It can be renewed by paying $25.

In Kansas, a Biennial Report has to be produced every 2 years. It costs $50. Also, the State of Kansas requires to pay a Sales Tax of 6.5%. Read our guide on LLC costs in Kansas for more information.

Kansas Foreign LLC

If you are interested in forming a Foreign LLC in Kansas then you need to file the Certificate of Foreign LLC to the Kansas Secretary of State. Foreign LLCs allow you to operate your business in more than one state. Along with the Certificate of Foreign LLC, you need to submit some more documents like the Certificate of Good Standing, etc. to the Kansas SOS to form your foreign LLC in Kansas. To know more in detail, check out our guide on Kansas Foreign LLC.

Reasons to Start an LLC in Kansas

The primary reason for having an LLC in Kansas is its economic structure. However, around 45% contribution in GDP comes from agriculture in the state. But there are oil, gas, manufacturing units, and other industries that help in economic growth. An LLC in Kansas can receive various business funding options. Depending on the viable business structure, LLCs will receive the line of credit. Any business can opt for a business credit card to differentiate their personal and professional spending.

Along with a strong economic structure, there are some other long-lasting benefits of starting a Kansas LLC. In general, the processing of business forms, or any legal forms takes much lesser time. If you opt for a registered agent service then it would be even easier to in tax filing and other procedural steps.

Freedom in Distribution of Profit

Unlike a partnership, in Kansas, LLCs have the freedom to decide the distribution of profit among the partners. In the case of a partnership, the distribution is always 50-50. However, in setting up an LLC, it can be anything per the members’ contribution to the business.

Business Incentives & Tax Benefits

Like many other states in the United States, the Kansas government also provides incentives to small businesses. There are different types of incentives and tax credits one can expect while forming an LLC in Kansas. In the case of business incentives, LLCs can receive up to $500,000 as financial assistance. It can go up depending on the criteria and forms of business. Read more on Kansas’ classification of LLC tax.

State Small Business Credit Initiatives

Under this program, the new businesses will get financial assistance starting from $25,000 to $500,000. Once your LLC gets qualified for the program, any amount between these will be provided to you. 

Economic Development Grants

Under this program, an LLC can receive up to $750,000 and a minimum of $35,000. In this program, if the LLCs can create job opportunities in the state through their investment, then they can receive this assistance.

Foreign Trade Zones and Benefits

There are some specific locations in Kansas considered as Foreign Trade Zones. If any new business sets up an LLC in such zones, then ut can enjoy the benefits of FTZ. LLCs will get to operate in such areas without paying any duty. There will be a quota but no prominent tax to be paid for operating in FTZ.

Top Businesses in Kansas

When you want to form an LLC in Kansas, you should know what Kansas is known for? Top business industries that are established in the state of Kansas are discussed below.

Resource Mining

It is noticed that the state of Kansas has huge farmland with extensive resources of minerals present in it. The state has topped in the production of minerals in which helium is the leading example. Also, the state is the leading producer of coal, in which the bituminous coal is present in the maximum amount.

Advanced Manufacturing

Kansas is the state that is house to many advanced industries. The biggest one is the Aerospace and Transportation equipment which contributes around $6,802 million to the state economy. After that comes the Food and tobacco-based production that contributes around 4,602 million dollars which is enormous for Kansas state.

These are the leading contributions followed by various small and large-sized contributions from the manufacturing sector, including fabricated metal, motor vehicles, printing, and related support activities, etc.

Corporate services

It is noticed that there are more than 60,000 companies present in the state that are providing corporate and professional services. The reason behind such a vast number is people who are involved in professional courses that are producing more than 7.000 or more graduates in a year. The corporate services may include accounting, legal services, financial service providers, and much more.

Agriculture

The agriculture sector is becoming the most significant contributor of the state, which has also grown to a 4.8 million dollar export industry. The state is also number 1 in the production of wheat and sorghum, which is the staple food of most countries. Moreover, the dairy sector is also growing as a golden sector of the state with plenty of prospects.

Some of the small investment businesses in Kansas are:-

  • Tutor services
  • Food processing
  • Animal healthcare business

Kansas LLC Formation Review

Time needed: 5 minutes

Just to recap, here are the easy steps again when forming an LLC in Kansas. Click on the steps in this list to read the full detail.

  1. Name your Kansas LLC

    The first thing you must do is to choose a company name, which should be unique, easy to find, and available in the state.
    name your llc

  2. Choose a Registered Agent

    In Kansas, it is mandatory to select a registered agent for your LLC. Get a professional Registered Agent from LLC formation services to get things done hassle-free.
    registered agent

  3. File a Formation Certificate

    Filing a formation certificate is necessary when forming an LLC in Kansas. Depending on the state, it could be called any of the following: Certificate of Formation, Articles of Organization, or Certificate of Organization.
    articles of organization

  4. Create an Operating Agreement

    An operating agreement is not a strict requirement in Kansas but something encouraged when you start an LLC to avoid future conflicts.
    operating agreement

  5. Get an EIN

    The Employer Identification Number (EIN), also called Federal Tax Identification Number, serves to identify a business entity like a social security number but for a company.
    file EIN for llc

F.A.Qs

Can I file an LLC in Kansas by myself?

If you are a resident of Kansas, then you can file your LLC by yourself. However, it is always worth having a professional than doing it yourself to handle legal complexities, paperwork, and other documentation.

What is the cost of forming an LLC in Kansas in a year?

Apart from the formation fee of $160 (domestic LLC) and $165 (foreign LLC), LLC costs in Kansas include $50 for Annual Reports every year. LLCs are liable to pay sales tax of 6.5% every year.

How long does it take to get an LLC in Kansas?

It takes no time to get a Kansas LLC if you file it online. For the mail filing, it takes 2 business days to get an LLC. If you hire a professional LLC service, then it might take less than that. We recommend TailorBrands which has impeccable turnaround time.

How to renew my LLC in Kansas?

Every year all the LLCs have to submit an Annual Report and pay $50 to the Kansas Secretary of State and renew the LLC. It is mandatory to renew your LLC every year.

What is the tax structure for an LLC in Kansas?

Generally, for the LLCs, it is a default tax structure. Once you will obtain the EIN, you will get the various tax structure options to select. Sometimes LLCs choose S Corp to reduce federal tax burdens. Read more on the Kansas Classification of LLC Tax.

How Fast Can I Form an LLC in Kansas

Filing for LLC in Kansas can take up to 2 weeks of time, when filing via mail. When doen online, it is processed within 24 hours.

Creating an LLC is a relatively straightforward process in the state of Kansas, with the necessary steps outlined clearly by the Secretary of State’s office. The first step in forming an LLC is to choose a name for your business that is unique and not already in use by another entity in the state. Once you have selected a name, you’ll need to conduct a name search to ensure its availability. You can do this online through the Secretary of State’s website.

After you have chosen a name and verified its availability, the next step is to file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. This can be done online or by mail and requires certain information about your LLC, such as its name, purpose, registered agent, and members. The filing fee for this process is typically quite low, making it an affordable option for those starting a business on a budget.

Once you have submitted your Articles of Organization, the processing time can vary depending on the method of submission and the current workload of the Secretary of State’s office. In general, online filings tend to be processed faster than those submitted by mail. Typically, you can expect your LLC to be officially recognized within a few business days to a couple of weeks.

After your LLC has been approved by the Secretary of State, there are a few final steps to complete the formation process. You will need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax purposes. This can be done easily online and is typically processed immediately upon submission.

Additionally, some businesses may need to apply for certain licenses or permits depending on the nature of their operations. This step can vary in terms of timing and complexity, as the requirements for certain industries can differ significantly. It is important to research what, if any, additional licenses or permits are needed for your specific business.

Overall, forming an LLC in Kansas can be a relatively quick and straightforward process for entrepreneurs looking to establish their business. By following the steps outlined by the Secretary of State’s office and being proactive in completing necessary paperwork, you can have your LLC up and running in a timely manner. This efficient process allows new business owners to focus on other important aspects of starting and growing their business without unnecessary delays.

In Conclusion

LLCs are easier to establish than other business structures. Small businesses, especially start-ups can easily start their LLCs in Kansas at a bare minimum cost. LLCs have a ‘pass-through taxation’ advantage for which they are excluded from certain taxes. The formation of limited liability companies requires much lesser documents and legal processes. Share your queries with us, and leave a comment below.

Leave a Comment