How To Form an LLC In Kansas (KS)?

Whether you know it as the “Wheat State” or the “Sunflower State,” Kansas is popular for its rolling fields and flat terrain. It also has a diverse and prosperous economic climate, making it an ideal location to do business.

If you want to start a new business in Kansas, we’re here to help. This detailed guide will teach you how to form an LLC in Kansas. We’ll explain what you need to do, which documents you need to file, and how you can speed up the process. So, if you’re ready to form your LLC in Kansas, then let’s begin.

Choose a Name for Your Kansas LLC

Picking a business name is one of the first things you should do when forming an LLC in Kansas. You probably already have an idea of what you want to call your business, but just make sure that it is memorable, easy to pronounce and somewhat related to your business activities.

You should also make sure that your name complies with the Kansas naming requirements and guidelines. These include:

• The name for your Kansas LLC must be unique
• Your Kansas LLC name must have the words “L.L.C.,” “Limited Liability Company,” or “LLC”, usually at the end.
• The chosen name must not confuse your Kansas LLC with government agencies and other business names.

For a complete list of Kansas LLC naming requirements and guidelines, you can read the Kansas naming rules.

You should also check to ensure that no other business in Kansas is using your chosen LLC by doing a Kansas LLC name search.

Finally, check if your chosen name is available as a domain in some form. Securing a URL that reflects the brand of your Kansas LLC helps in building your online presence. If a suitable URL is available, we recommend buying it immediately.

Hire a Registered Agent Fast

When starting your LLC in Kansas, you will be required to hire or appoint a registered agent. Your registered agent needs to be a Kansas resident (with a permanent street address in Kansas), who is over 18 years, and available to accept legal documents during regular working hours.

The Kansas registered agent will accept all legal documents on your behalf and inform you of any upcoming LLC compliance deadlines and requirements.

Kansas law allows business owners to appoint themselves or any member of their LLC to act as a registered agent. But if you have the budget, you may want to hire one of the following professional registered agent service providers.

These companies streamline the process and do all the hard work for you.

Northwest

Northwest is known for being one of the best registered agent service providers in the entire country. Sign up for the company’s registered agent service, and you will get the following:

• Compliance alerts
• Scanned documents
• Mail forwarding
• Digital document storage
• Pre-filled state forms
• Annual report reminders

You will also get access to a Compliance Calendar for free in your first year. This will keep you compliant without worrying about state compliance deadlines and regular notices.

The annual fee for Northwest’s registered agent service is $125.

ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness is another highly recommended registered agent. It offers all the services you require for worry-free compliance, including document scanning, mail notifications and mail forwarding. The company promises fast turnaround times and makes it easy to keep track of everything by providing every client with a personalized online dashboard.

The annual cost of ZenBusiness’ registered agent package is $199. You can get access to more features, such as two filing changes per year if you upgrade your package, but it’s not required.

IncFile

IncFile is one of the best recommendations if you want a company to act as your registered agent and help you form the company, too. Use IncFile’s highly reviewed LLC formation service, and you’ll get one year of registered agent services for free.

Once your free year has ended, you can purchase the company’s premium package for only $119 per year.

File Articles of Organization Next

Now that you have a name for your Kansas LLC and have hired the services of a registered agent, it is time to file your Article of Organization.

The process of filing an Article of Organization differs depending on whether you are forming a foreign or domestic LLC. However, in both cases, you will need to create an account at www.sos.ks.gov, fill in the form, and submit it online or via mail to:

The Office of the Kansas Secretary of State
Memorial Hall, 1st Floor, 120 S.W. 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS
66612-1594

The good news is that the process of filing the Article of Organization form for your Kansas LLC is straightforward. You just need to provide the following details:

• The name of your Kansas LLC
• Your payment details
• The mailing address for your Kansass business
• The physical street address, name, and contact details of your registered agent
• Your LLC’s tax closing month
• The signature of at least one member of your LLC.

If you are forming a domestic Kansas LLC, you must file your Article of Organization and a filing fee of $165. You must send a check or money order, as the Kansas Secretary of State does not accept cash.

On the other hand, when filing an Article of Organization for a foreign LLC, you must first provide a Certificate of Good Standing. Then sign and submit an Application for Registration of Foreign Covered Business Entity Form. The filing fee ranges from $115 to $165, depending on the type of business entity.

Think About Creating an Operating Agreement

An Operating Agreement is a legal document that outlines the operating procedures and ownership of your LLC. It also defines the primary responsibilities and roles of members and ownership percentages.

LLCs in Kansas are not required to have an Operating Agreement by law. However, it is a good practice to have one as it will go some way to reducing issues and conflicts further down the line.

A well-crafted Operating Agreement for your Kansas LLC should include the following details:

• The roles and responsibilities of each member and manager
• Information about voting rights
• The ownership percentage of each LLC member
• Details of how profits and losses are distributed among members.
• Rules for selling, buying, or transferring an ownership stake.

Obtain all Licenses and Permits

The Kansas state rules and regulations do not require LLCs to obtain a general business license. This means that your Article of Organization is enough to get your business up and running in Kansas.

However, some business entities are required by the Kansas Department of Revenue to lodge a business tax application for the collection of relevant taxes. Besides, you may need to obtain one of the following business licenses and permits for your LLC in Kansas:

• A license related to certain industries, like liquor, tobacco, and food.
• A sales tax license if you sell or rent tangible services and goods in Kansas
• Local permits or licenses, which vary depending on your county or city.
• Professional lenses for certain professions. You can check the Kansas Business website lists for more details.

Acquire Federal and State Tax IDs

After completing the previous steps, your Kansas LLC will be officially registered. However, there are still a couple more things to take care of, like obtaining a Federal and State Tax ID or Employer Identification Number (EIN).

The IRS uses the Federal and State Tax ID to identify your LLC for tax purposes. You will also need it if you have plans to hire employees and pay salaries.

Fortunately, the process of acquiring a Federal and State Tax ID is simple and free. You only need to fill out Form SS-4 on the IRS website. Applications can also be made via mail or fax. International applicants can acquire their Kansas Federal and State Tax ID by calling 267-941-1099.

Open a Business Bank

It is important to open a business bank and credit account for your Kansas LLC to keep your business and personal finances separate.

The good news is that opening a business bank and credit account for your Kansas LLC is pretty easy. You only need to visit your nearest bank with the following documents:

• The Employer Identification Number or the Federal & State Tax ID for your Kansas LLC
• The Articles of Organization for your Kansas LLC.

There are several Kansas banks you can use, including:

• The First Bank Kansas
• The KS StateBank
• The Citizens Bank of Kansas

Purchase Kansas Business Insurance

Each LLC in Kansas must have some kind of business insurance. Your Kansas LLC must have, at the minimum, a general liability insurance policy. This is a broad business insurance policy that protects your LLC from lawsuits. The other types of business insurance policy you will need to purchase for your Kansas LLC depends on whether you have employees or not, the type of business, and many other factors.

That said, the common types of Kansas business insurance that you will require for your LLC include:

• Professional liability insurance
• The workers’ compensation insurance
• The Business owner’s insurance policy

Get a quote for all of the business insurance you need by visiting a comparison site like Insureon.

Buy an LLC Formation Package to Speed Up the Process

There are many companies that offer LLC formation services to speed up the process of forming your LLC in Kansas.

For example, ZenBusiness is one of the top LLC formation companies that helps you to form your Kansas LLC for free. All you will need to do is pay the Kansas state filing fee.

The company’s Starter LLC formation package is entirely free, which means your Kansas LLC will be formed in two to three weeks. You can also buy their Pro or Premium LLC formation packages that come with expedited filing speed and worry-free compliance.

Another top LLC formation company you should consider is LegalZoom. Their free Basic LLC formation package gives you a name check service, an Article of Organization, and a customizable website. You can also get more features with their Pro and Premium LLC formation packages that cost $249 and $299 per year, respectively.

FAQs About Forming an LLC in Kansas

How Long Will It Take to Form My Kansas LLC?

You can form your Kansas LLC in as little as a day if you file online and within five working days by mail. You can also pay for expedited processing and have your LLC formed faster.

How Much Does It Cost to Set Up an LLC in Kansas?

The cost of forming an LLC in Kansas is $65. This is a fee for filing the Article of Organization with the Kansas Secretary of State. If you want to reserve a name for your Kansas LLC, you will be charged an additional $35 for mail filing or $30 for online filing.

Can I Act as my Own Registered Agent in Kansas?

YES. You can appoint yourself to act as a registered agent for your Kansas LLC, provided you meet the required state laws for forming an LLC. For example, you must be available to receive business and legal compliance documents during normal working hours. You must also be a Kansas resident with a permanent physical address.

Can I Form a Single-Member LLC in Kansas?

YES. You can form a single-member LLC in Kansas as long as you follow all the state laws for forming an LLC. Fortunately, the process of forming your single-member LLC in Kansas is similar to what we have highlighted in this guide.

Start Your Kansas LLC Today

We hope you found our guide informative and that you now have an idea of what you need to do to form an LLC in Kansas.

The process of forming an LLC in Kansas is generally straightforward and only needs a few steps to complete. To simplify the paperwork process and make it easier, Kansas provides a wealth of tools and resources, such as sample forms and detailed instructions.

However, if the process appears daunting and complex or you do not have enough time to form a Kansas LLC on your own, consider hiring a top LLC formation company to take care of everything. You won’t regret it!

Also see:

• Kansas (KS) Secretary of State (SOS) LLC & Business Search
• Kansas (KS) Registered Agent Services
• How To Find Kansas Bookkeepers