How to Start an LLC in Kansas (KS)

Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Kansas is a straightforward process that you can get up and running within 24 hours. An LLC is a great business entity for anyone who wants to protect their personal assets in case your business ever runs into legal problems or gets sued. An LLC will ensure you never have to pay any business losses out of your own pocket.

To get it set up, you have to choose a business name, appoint a resident agent and file the articles of organization application. It costs $160, and you can apply entirely online.

Deciding to do business as an LLC gives you the protection of a corporation but the flexibility of a sole proprietorship. To file your LLC correctly, be sure to follow along with our step-by-step instructions: 

How to Form an LLC in Kansas – A Step by Step Guide

You can apply for your LLC on your own or through a professional service. While filing on your own isn’t complicated and doesn’t take too much time, you still want to make sure you complete each step as outlined below, ensuring your LLC is set up correctly the first time around.

If you’d rather not handle your business’s legal side, we suggest hiring experts to file all your business paperwork for you (a more worry-free approach).

Otherwise, if you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, follow these 5 initial steps:  

1. Name your Kansas LLC 

To form an LLC in Kansas, you need to follow specific name requirements set by state law. Your business name needs to be unique, meaning no other company has a similar name. 

Name Requirements

Before checking to see if the business name you’d like is available, to abide by Kansas LLC law, make sure the name of your company contains one of the following:

• Limited Liability Company
• Limited Company 
• L.L.C 
• LLC
• LC
• L.C.

Your LLC name can be your business name, like Plumbing King L.L.C, or the name of one of your LLC’s members, such as Joe Smith LLC.  

Check Name Availability

Once you’ve decided on your name, you need to check to see if it’s available and there’s no other company in Kansas using it. The quick and easy way to do this is through a quick google search using your desired name.

If you don’t find any competing companies, you can move onto the next step – checking your business’s potential name through the Kansas business entity name search. 

If a name you like is still available, but you’re not ready to file your LLC just yet, you can reserve the name for 120 days through a Temporary Reservation of Business Entity Name. You can file online with the state (which they recommend) or by mail. It costs $30 online vs. $35 by mail. 

Using a Fictitious Name

If you don’t want to use LLC in your business name, then you can add a fictitious name once your business is resident. Also known as DBA (“doing business as,”) or a trade name, a fictitious name allows you to run your business under a name that’s not the legal LLC registered name. 

You can also use a fictitious name if you plan on running several different businesses under your LLC formation. 

To use a fictitious name in Kansas, you don’t have to file any paperwork or submit an application: you simply start doing business under that name. Keep in mind that your fictitious name won’t be your legal name, and you will need to reference your LLC name on all paperwork, contracts, etc. 

Once you’ve figured out what your business name is and you’ve made sure it’s still available, the next step is to choose a resident agent who will help you with the legal side of your business. 

2. Choose a Kansas Resident Agent

A resident agent is the main point of contact between your LLC and the Kansas State. In Kansas, it’s mandatory to have a resident agent (referred to as a registered agent in almost all other states). A resident agent is the person who officially receives and sends all legal documents on behalf of your business. 

Almost anyone can be a resident agent as long they live in Kansas and have a valid street address (not a P.O. box).

You can choose any of the following people to act as your LLC’s resident agent:

• Yourself 
• A family member or friend 
• A Commercial Resident Agent  

Why you should use a resident agent

At first, you may think it’s easier to have yourself, or one of the members of your LLC, act as the resident agent, but there are several benefits to hiring a commercial resident agent. The number one reason is that it adds an extra layer of protection if your business ever gets sued or faces penalties/fines. You’ll have professionals working with you, and you won’t have to handle the nitty-gritty legal paperwork.

A resident agent will ensure your business is always in good standing with the state, helping you stay organized and up-to-date.

Once you’ve decided who’s the best person to be your resident agent, the next step is to submit your LLC application. 

3. File a Kansas LLC Articles of Organization

To form an LLC in Kansas, you need to file a Kansas Limited Liability Company Articles of Organization to the Kansas Secretary of State. It costs $165 if you apply by mail or $160 if you apply online.

You should be ready to fill out the following information on the form: 

• the LLC’s name
• the name and address of the LLC’s resident agent
• the LLC’s initial principal office address, 
• your year-end date (December is the default) 
• signatures of one of the LLC members 

If you fill out the form with inaccurate information, your writing is illegible or you skip a section, your application will be refused. Always double-check your business information is correct before submitting it.

If you apply online, your application gets processed within 24 hours, whereas mail takes 5-7 business days. 

Once you get approval, you can move onto step 4 – creating an LLC Operating Agreement. If you’re operating your LLC by yourself, skip to step 5. 

4. Create a Kansas LLC Operating Agreement

If your LLC has two or more members, it should have an operating agreement. Although it’s not required in Kansas, we suggest creating one to outline how the business is structured and how it will operate among its members (and/or managers). 

Some of the sections you’ll typically find covered in an operating agreement include:

• Organization
• Management
• Voting
• Capital distributions
• Distributions
• Dissolution

Again, while this is not a necessary step, as you don’t have to mail it to the secretary of state, it is recommended if your LLC has more than 2 members. It helps clarify the rules of your LLC and makes sure they are legally documented.

After you’ve agreed and created an LLC Operating Agreement, the next step is to create your unique employer identification number.

5. Apply for your Kansas LLC Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Once your LLC is approved, you’ll need to get an employer identification number (EIN).
An EIN is a federal tax ID number that registers you with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This number identifies your company when filing taxes.

How to register for an EIN:

– Apply online or,
– fill out the Employer Identification Number form and fax it to 855-641-6935, or mail it to:

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

If you apply online, you’ll get instant approval. If you apply by fax, it takes up to 4 business days, whereas mailing can take up to 4 weeks. Applying for your EIN is completely free! 

Kansas LLC Registration – Final Checklist & Summary

Ready to get started? Use this simple checklist to make sure you’ve dotted your i’s and crossed your t’s! 

1. Name your LLC  – Your business name must include Limited Liability Company, Liability  Limited, L.L.C, LLC,  L.C or LC. Before you register your LLC, you need to check Kansas’s business entity name search to make sure no other company in Kansas is operating under it.
2. Choose a Registered Office – A resident agent is a person who receives and sends legal documents on behalf of your company. It can be you, a friend or family member, or a commercial resident agent.  
3. File a Kansas LLC Articles of Organization – To file an LLC in Kansas, fill out and submit the Kansas Limited Liability Company Articles of Organization application. It costs $165 if you apply by mail or $160 if you apply online. 
4. Apply for your Kansas LLC Employer Identification Number (EIN) & File your Tax Registration Form – Once you get approval for your LLC, you need to apply for an employer identification number (EIN) through the IRS. This number identities your company when filing taxes. You can apply online for free, and approval is instant.
5. Create Kansas LLC Operating Agreement – If your LLC has two or more members, you should create an LLC operating agreement that outlines how the business is structured, who is responsible for what, and how much of the LLC each person owns. You don’t have to send your operating agreement to Kansas state, but you should have one, so everything is documented and signed by all members.

Always double-check your LLC information is correct before submitting any paperwork. You want to avoid simple mistakes and ensure your business is set up correctly from the get-go. If it’s within your budget, we recommend using a formation service to help form your LLC. They can act as your resident agent and make sure your company is always in good standing. Just make sure you do your homework and choose one of the best LLC services for your business.

Our first recommendation is to go with ZenBusiness, an LLC creation service that holds your hand from start to finish. Packages start as low as $49. 

How To Apply for a Kansas LLC Online

Now that you know the exact steps on what’s needed to form your LLC, it’s time to start the application process. There are two ways of going about this:

1. Do it Yourself – Taking the DIY route is a good option if your budget is tight or you’ve previously opened an LLC and understand how it works.

2. Use an Online Formation Company – Using an online formation company is a better option if it’s your first time opening up an LLC and if it’s within your budget (formation services cost anywhere between $49 – $199). This is typically a better choice if you want to avoid headaches and have peace of mind knowing professionals handle everything for you. 

If using a professional service is more up your alley, here are our top 3 recommendations: 

ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness built its platform to meet the needs of your business throughout its lifetime. When you pay for their services, you’ll receive a personalized dashboard for your business to store documents, receive alerts, and manage your website.

ZenBusiness charges work on a tier system. There are three different tiers with pricing as follows:

• The Starter = $49 annually
• The Pro = $199 annually
• The Premium = $299 annually

Visit ZenBusiness and File Your LLC Today

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Incfile

IncFile provides you with a full suite offering startup services to best support your business formation.

Their pricing model also depends on the state you are filling. You can generate a personalized quote on their website by entering the necessary information about your business.

Visit IncFile and file your LLC today

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Legal Zoom

LegalZoom is an online legal service provider that helps you to be able to create legal documents without having to pay the expensive lawyer fees. Some of the services they provide assistance to includes business formation, copyrights, and trademarks.

LegalZoom has many different pricing options available. For their LLC service, pricing begins at $79 + the allotted state fee.

Visit LegalZoom and file your LLC Today

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After Starting Your Kansas LLC

You’re approved – now what? The journey doesn’t stop here – there’s still a handful of things you need to do to get your business off the ground. We recommend ticking off the following items to make sure your LLC gets off on the right foot. 

Purchase A Domain For Your Business

Even if your business is local, having an online presence is essential in creating trust, professionalism, and a way for people to find you. If you haven’t already thought about getting a website, now’s the time. In a tech-saturated world, you need a domain to not only attract new customers but help create a good first visual impression of what your business does and how it can help. 

Get A Business Phone Number

Since your business is now an approved Kansas LLC, you should think about getting a business phone number. Having a business number is a great way to show professionalism to your clients and customers. It makes you more serious and, more importantly – more trustworthy.

There are various online phone services you can go with, or you could go the traditional route and open an account through a local branch. You can get a local number or a 1-800; the options are endless!  

Open Your Kansas LLC Business Bank Account

You’ll want to open a business account that’s separate from your personal banking. This will not only make accounting easier, but you won’t have to worry about your finances mixing in with your business finances.

USA Business Bank Accounts

If you already have online banking, it might be easier to open a business account through your current bank, so all your banking (although in separate accounts) will be accessible in the same place. If you prefer to open something new, keep these checking accounts in mind: 

Chase – Free checking account with no extra fees – as long as you keep a $1,500 minimum balance.

BlueVine – Free checking account with mobile banking and a debit MasterCard. 

Bank Novo – Open a free checking account with Free transfers and free ATM fees.

Bank Midwest – Open a checking account with deposit and savings solutions customized to your business.  

First Bank Kansas – Pick from three different checking accounts (depending on your business needs) and get no minimum balance requirements and free mobile deposits.

Along with your business checking account, you should apply for a business credit card too. Having a business credit card is an excellent way to establish your business credit score (which may help if you ever need a loan). It also makes it easier for online purchases, and again, it will keep your personal and business finances separate. 

Find Accountant/Buy Accounting Software

Taxes get complicated fast and can be a burden to handle. We recommend getting an accountant or using accounting software to ensure all your spending actions are tracked (payroll, bills, invoices, receipts, etc.). Here are some popular options to look into:

Wave – Free invoicing & accounting software with credit card processing & payroll services.

Intuit Quickbooks – Online accounting software to track expenses, customize invoices, and run reports.

Freshbooks – Accounting software to send invoices, track time, manage receipts, expenses, and accept credit cards.

Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credential – If you want to use a local tax specialist, you can search for a certified public accountant (CPA) through the IRS online directory.

Having all of your business reports in one spot is highly beneficial, so you can keep an eye on your cash flow. To run a successful business, you will need to analyze how your business performs and narrow down what’s working or what isn’t working. Finding areas for growth will ensure success. 

Don’t Forget to File an Annual Report

To keep your LLC active and in good standing with Kansas State, you need to file an annual report each year. The annual report is similar to the articles of organization form and is mainly used to update any outdated business information, ensuring the State always has accurate records. 

Your annual report is due 1-4 months after your LLC’s tax year. If you wait until the 4th month, you have up until the 15th of that month to submit it. For example, if your year-end finishes on December 31st (which is typical for most businesses), then your annual report must be submitted sometime between January 1st – April 15th.

Your first report is due the year following your first year of business, so if you formed your LLC in March 2021, it’s due before April 15th, 2022.

It costs $55 if you file by mail or $50 if you file online. If you go over the deadline by 90 days, the Kansas State can legally shut down your LLC. 

Notify Kansas Of Any Changes You Make To Your LLC

If at any time you make changes to your LLC you need to inform the state. If you’re using a resident agent they can do this for you. If you’re going about this alone, you can update changes through Kansas’s business portal or through your resident agent. 

8 Benefits of Forming an LLC in Kansas

Setting up an LLC in Kansas makes sure your business finances stay separate from any personal finances and that each member’s personal possessions are safe. It’s a great business entity for small, medium or large businesses as it gives you the freedom of a sole proprietorship or partnership with the protection of a corporation. Best of all, it’s easy to get (approval is instant), and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Some of its major benefits include:

1. Protect Your Personal Assets

The LLC will have its liability that does not automatically extend to the owners, unlike a sole proprietor, where you are legally responsible for everything. That means Kansas LLC protects the liabilities and debts incurred by the business. In most situations, your assets, such as your car, home, or savings, will never be at risk if your Kansas LLC is faced with lawsuits or bankruptcy.

2. Benefit From Business Profit Taxation

In an LLC in Kansas, your profits and losses can pass through to your income without having to have corporate taxation.

3. Simple to Create and Maintain

The formation of a Kansas LLC requires minimal paperwork and requirements. They are known for being easy to start and simple to maintain.

4. Minimal Restrictions

Your business matters can be managed by more than one owner or member while still being one main business to the public. This means all decisions and transactions behind the scenes can be equitably distributed while presenting one entity as you move forward.

5. Heighten Your Credibility

As you move forward, your Kansas LLC will continuously be recognized as an entity. People and other businesses prefer doing business with a legitimate entity because it shows your level of professionalism.

6. Gain Access to Business Loans

When you form your Kansas LLC, you will obtain a DUNS number and build your business credit, helping you to further build upon your business.

7. Benefit From Flexible Profit Distribution

In an LLC, you are not required to spread the distribution of profits equally across the owners. You have complete control over profit distribution in your Kansas LLC.

8. Good For Any Kind Of Business

An LLC business structure in Kansas is an excellent choice for both medium and higher-risk level businesses. You might always want to consider opting to go with an LLC if you have a significant amount of personal assets to protect from your company. And lastly, LLCs are great for owners who are interested in paying lower tax rates than corporations.

Conclusion

You should form an LLC if you’d like to protect your personal assets and keep all your business finances separate. Not only does it heighten your credibility, as you’ll be recognized as an entity, but it also helps show professionalism. Best of all, it’s a quick way to give you the protection of a corporation but with the flexibility of a sole proprietorship.

Since creating an LLC is cost-effective and doesn’t take long to set up, it’s the perfect business structure to formalize your business without too much hassle. However, since it’s a legal entity, our best advice is to use a professional formation service whenever possible. Using professionals, like ZenBusiness, will help ensure your LLC is set up correctly from the get-go, as well as always making sure you’re in good standing with the State. 

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FAQ About Forming Kansas LLC

There are several different steps you’ll need to take to form your LLC legally. It’s a lot of information to take in and can get confusing. To help out, we’ve compiled some answers to the most frequently asked questions: