LLC formation · Kansas
Kansas LLC Formation Services
A Kansas LLC costs $85 to form online with the Secretary of State in 2026, down from $160. A formation service adds its own fee on top of the state fee.
$85 online filing. Approval in minutes. No franchise tax.
By Alex Chernavsky, founder and CEO of BusinessRocketUpdated October 26, 2026 | 14 min read
Best Kansas Business Formation Services
Top-rated LLC formation services in Kansas help business owners prepare and file their formation documents. Pricing, privacy features, and ease of use help you choose a provider that fits your budget and needs. Customer support and access to legal guidance help you assess the assistance each service offers.
| Formation company | Best for | Starting price | Total with $85 Kansas fee | Registered agent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BusinessRocket | Complete packages | $49 | $134 | Free 1st year on Essentials |
| Northwest Registered Agent | Privacy and support | $39 | $124 | 1 year included |
| LegalZoom | Brand trust and legal help | $0 | $85 | Paid add-on |
| ZenBusiness | Guided online setup | $0 | $85 | Paid add-on |
| Bizee | Lowest budget | $0 | $85 | Free 1st year |
| Tailor Brands | Branding tools | $0 | $85 | Paid add-on |
Prices are advertised starting prices checked in October 2026 and can change. Registered agent renewals usually cost $119 to $249 per year after the free period, so compare the second-year cost too. For a nationwide view, see our LLC formation services comparison.
Top Kansas LLC Services Reviewed
The top Kansas LLC services differ in price, registered agent terms and support. Every provider below adds its own fee to the $85 Kansas state filing fee. Compare the first-year price and the renewal cost before you choose one.
- 1
BusinessRocket
Best for complete Kansas LLC packages
Advertised service price: $49, plus state fee
- Essentials package ($147) includes an EIN, registered agent, operating agreement and bank concierge.
- Free Compliance Guard deadline alerts with every LLC package.
- Supreme package adds information report filing for busy owners.
- 2
Northwest Registered Agent
Best for privacy and support
Advertised service price: $39, plus state fee
- Registered agent service included for the first year with its formation offering.
- Useful if you want help with formation and a business mailing address.
- Registered agent renewals are additional.
- 3
ZenBusiness
Best for guided online formation
Advertised starting price: $0, plus state fee
- Guided online formation process.
- Optional compliance monitoring and registered agent services.
- Check renewal pricing and add-ons before checkout.
- 4
Bizee
Best for the lowest budget
Advertised starting price: $0, plus state fee
- Budget-friendly basic formation.
- First-year registered agent service may be included in its basic offering; verify the current package.
- Compare ongoing renewal costs.
- 5
LegalZoom
Best for brand trust and legal support
Advertised starting price: $0, plus state fee
- Well-known online legal services provider.
- Offers additional legal and business support options.
- Registered agent service and other extras generally cost more.
- 6
Tailor Brands
Best for branding support
Advertised starting price: $0, plus state fee
- LLC formation with logo design, website and marketing tools.
- Paid tiers bill yearly.
- Check registered agent pricing before checkout.
The Kansas Secretary of State charges $85 online or $90 by mail to file Articles of Organization (Form DL). Your LLC then files an Information Report every two years for $90 online. A formation service adds its package price on top of these state fees.
What Is a Kansas LLC Formation Service?
A Kansas LLC formation service is a business formation service that prepares and files your LLC registration with the Secretary of State for you. Limited liability companies in Kansas can also file directly, but most owners want help with the paperwork. The service checks that your business name is available, completes the formation document, pays the state fee and sends you the approved records.
Companies in Kansas and other states usually buy 4 add-ons: registered agent service, an employer identification number, an operating agreement and compliance reminders. Small business owners use a formation service to save time and avoid filing errors. You can also file your LLC online yourself through the Kansas Secretary of State’s online filing system.
2026 update most guides miss: The state cut its LLC filing fee from $160 to $85 online on February 27, 2026, and moved LLCs to a biennial report in 2024. Many guides still show the old $160 fee and an annual report.
How Much Does a Kansas LLC Cost in 2026?
A Kansas LLC costs $85 in state fees to start online and $90 every two years to keep active. The fees below come from the current Secretary of State forms.
| State fee | Online | Paper | When you pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form DL) | $85 | $90 | Once, to form the LLC |
| Information Report (Form ILC) | $90 | $110 | Every 2 years by April 15 |
| Reinstatement after forfeiture | - | $35 + $85 penalty + $110 per missed report | Only if the LLC forfeits |
| Foreign LLC application (Form FA) | Not available | Paper only | Out-of-state LLCs entering Kansas |
The real 2-year cost of a Kansas LLC is $175 when you file online: $85 to form and $90 for the first information report. That equals about $45 per year in state fees, and there is no franchise tax.
The Kansas Secretary of State’s May 2026 announcement confirms the office cut LLC formation fees and biennial report fees. The office replaced its 1980s system with KBOS before cutting fees on business filings. It runs entirely on service fees.
What Does a Formation Service Include?
A full formation service includes 6 core business services. The cheapest plans cover only the first item.
Core formation services
- Name availability check and Articles of Organization filing
- Kansas registered agent service
- Employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS
Post-formation services
- Operating agreement for a single-member or multi-member LLC
- Biennial information report reminders or filing
- Business bank account and business credit setup help
BusinessRocket includes free Compliance Guard with every LLC package. It tracks state and federal deadlines to keep your LLC in good standing.
How to Form an LLC in Kansas in 7 Steps
To form an LLC in Kansas, you file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State and pay the $85 fee. The LLC formation process takes most owners less than an hour online.
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Choose an Available Kansas LLC Name
Your LLC name must include a word of formation: LLC, L.L.C., LC, L.C., Limited Liability Company or Limited Company. The state allows "LC" and "Limited Company," which most states do not. Check that your business name is available with the Kansas Business Name Availability tool.
If another company uses a similar name, Kansas law lets you file a Consent to Use of Similar Business Name (Form CN) signed by that company.
-
Appoint a Kansas Resident Agent
Every LLC must name a resident agent and a registered office. Kansas uses "resident agent" for the role other states call a registered agent. Details are in the resident agent section below.
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File Articles of Organization (Form DL)
File Form DL online through the Kansas Business Operating System (KBOS) for $85, or mail it for $90. Online filings process within minutes, and you can print the certified copy immediately. A domestic LLC is formed when the Kansas Secretary of State files your Articles.
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Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement sets ownership, voting and profit rules for your LLC. Kansas does not require you to file it with the state. A multi-member LLC needs one most, because it prevents disputes between members.
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Get an Employer Identification Number
An employer identification number (EIN) is a 9-digit federal tax identification number. You need one to hire employees, open a business bank account or run a multi-member LLC. The IRS issues EINs online for free.
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Register for Business Taxes and Licenses
Every business in Kansas must register for state taxes if it sells taxable goods or hires employees. Then check city and county licenses. The tax section below covers each Kansas business tax.
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Open a Business Bank Account and Set Your Report Date
A business bank account keeps LLC money separate from personal money, which protects your liability shield. Your business must also track its first information report date from the day your LLC is formed in Kansas.
Kansas Registered Agent Requirements
A Kansas registered agent, called a resident agent under state law, receives lawsuits, subpoenas and state notices for your LLC. Kansas requires 4 things from every resident agent.
- Eligible agent: an individual, a business registered in Kansas, or the LLC itself.
- Street address: the registered office must have a physical Kansas address with a building number, street, city and zip code.
- No PO box: Kansas rejects PO box addresses for the registered office.
- Availability: the agent must be regularly present at the address during normal business hours.
A registered agent fits owners who work from home, travel, or live outside the state. It keeps your home address off the public record and makes sure no legal notice is missed. Changing your resident agent later requires a separate filing with the Secretary of State’s office.
Kansas Biennial Information Report: Not an Annual Report
Kansas LLCs must file an Information Report every two years by April 15, not an annual report. The change took effect on January 1, 2024. The report confirms your business name, principal office and resident agent.
Kansas LLCs must file in a set cycle, and the filing year depends on the formation year. LLCs formed in an even year file in even years, and LLCs formed in an odd year file in odd years, according to the Kansas Secretary of State’s information report rules.
- 2026LLC formed in Kansas
- Apr 15, 2028First report due ($90 online)
- Jul 15, 20283-month delinquency ends
- After Jul 15LLC forfeits
- Apr 15, 2030Next report due
A missed report is expensive. Reinstating a forfeited LLC on paper costs a $35 filing fee, an $85 penalty and $110 for each missed report. That is $230 to fix one missed $90 report.
Kansas Business Taxes and Licenses After Formation
An LLC provides pass-through taxation by default, so profits flow to the members' personal returns. State taxes then depend on your income, sales and employees. This flexibility sets LLCs apart from other business structures such as corporations.
| Business tax | 2026 rate or rule | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual income tax | 5.2% and 5.58% brackets | LLC members on pass-through profits |
| State sales tax | 6.5% state rate plus local rates | LLCs selling taxable goods or services |
| Withholding tax | Based on employee wages | LLCs with employees in Kansas |
| Franchise tax | None | Kansas does not charge it |
Register for sales tax and withholding through the Kansas Department of Revenue. Kansas has no general statewide business license, but cities like Wichita, Topeka and Overland Park may require local licenses. The Kansas Business One Stop combines requirements from the Secretary of State, the Department of Revenue, the Department of Labor and the Department of Agriculture. Need help with filings? See our business tax services and bookkeeping services.
Special Kansas LLC Types: Series, Professional and Public Benefit
Kansas also offers 3 special LLC types beyond the general limited liability company. Each one uses its own formation document.
How to Register a Foreign LLC in Kansas
A foreign LLC in Kansas is an LLC formed in another state. Every out-of-state business in Kansas must register with the Secretary of State before it is authorized to do business in the state.
Foreign LLCs file with the Kansas Secretary of State using the Foreign Application (Form FA) on paper only. There is no online option, so plan for mailing time. Non-U.S. founders can read our guide to forming an LLC as a non-US resident.
Kansas LLC Requirements Most Guides Miss
The state has 3 rules that rarely appear in LLC formation guides. Each one can affect your filing.
- Military-area real property rule: since July 1, 2025, certain foreign principals that own real property within 100 miles of a military installation must register with the Kansas Attorney General within 90 days.
- Public record: every document the office files becomes part of state business records and may be viewable online.
- Series filings on paper: a designated series of a Kansas series LLC cannot file its information report online.
Is a Free LLC Really Free in Kansas?
A free LLC formation service is free only for the filing step. You still pay the $85 state fee, and most free plans charge later for 3 common needs: registered agent service, an EIN and compliance filings.
Ask 3 questions before you start your free LLC with any provider: What does registered agent service cost after year one? Is the EIN included? Who files the biennial information report? A plan with a higher first price can cost less over 2 years.
DIY Filing vs Hiring a Formation Service
Filing yourself costs only the $85 state fee. A formation service costs more but handles the paperwork, deadlines and assistance with business licenses.
File it yourself if
- You live in the state and can be your own resident agent
- You run a single-member LLC with simple needs
- You will track the April 15 report date yourself
Use a formation service if
- You live outside Kansas or need a registered agent
- You want the EIN and operating agreement done for you
- You want reminders so your LLC never forfeits
Complex ownership, investors or licensed professions can need a business attorney too. The U.S. Small Business Administration also lists state registration steps for starting a business.
Kansas LLC Formation FAQs
What is the best LLC formation service in Kansas?
The best Kansas LLC formation service depends on your needs. BusinessRocket fits complete packages, Northwest fits privacy, Bizee fits the lowest budget and Tailor Brands fits branding.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Kansas in 2026?
The state charges $85 to file Articles of Organization online and $90 by mail, according to Form DL (revised February 27, 2026). The old $160 fee no longer applies.
How long does the Kansas Secretary of State take to approve an LLC?
Online filings are processed within minutes, and you can print the certified Articles right away. Mailed filings take several business days plus mailing time.
Does Kansas require an annual report for LLCs?
No. Kansas LLCs file a biennial Information Report every two years instead of an annual report.
When is the first Kansas information report due?
The first report is due April 15 of the next year that matches your formation year (even or odd). An LLC formed in 2026 files by April 15, 2028.
How much is the Kansas information report fee?
The current Form ILC lists $90 online and $110 on paper. Each report covers two years.
What happens if a Kansas LLC misses its information report?
The LLC enters a three-month delinquency period and then forfeits. Reinstatement on paper costs a $35 filing fee, an $85 penalty and $110 for each missed report.
Can I be my own registered agent in Kansas?
Yes. Kansas calls this role a resident agent. You need a physical Kansas street address and must be available during normal business hours.
Can a Kansas LLC use a PO box as its registered office?
No. The registered office must be a Kansas street, rural route or highway address. A PO box is not accepted.
What words must a Kansas LLC name include?
The name must include LLC, L.L.C., LC, L.C., Limited Liability Company or Limited Company, under K.S.A. 17-7920.
Does Kansas require an operating agreement?
No. You do not need to file an operating agreement with the state. Banks and partners often ask for one, so keep a signed copy.
Do I need an EIN for a Kansas LLC?
You need an employer identification number if your LLC hires employees or has more than one member. The IRS issues EINs for free online.
Does Kansas have a statewide business license?
No. There is no single general business license. Licenses depend on your industry and city or county, and the Kansas Business One Stop lists state requirements.
Do Kansas LLCs pay a franchise tax?
No. Kansas does not charge LLCs a franchise tax. The main recurring state fee is the biennial information report.
Is a free LLC formation service really free in Kansas?
A free LLC service charges $0 for filing, but you still pay the $85 state fee. Many free plans charge later for registered agent service, an EIN or compliance.
Can a foreign LLC register in Kansas online?
No. A foreign LLC in Kansas must file the Foreign Application (Form FA) on paper with the Secretary of State.
Does Kansas allow series LLCs?
Yes. Kansas allows series LLCs through Form LAO. Each designated series files its information report on paper.
Does a Kansas LLC need to file a BOI report?
No. Since March 2025, FinCEN exempts domestic U.S. companies from beneficial ownership reporting. Foreign companies registered in the U.S. may still need to file.
Final Thoughts on Kansas LLC Formation Services
Kansas is one of the cheapest states to form an LLC in 2026, at $85 online and $90 every two years. The right formation service depends on what your LLC needs: a registered agent, an EIN and compliance help. Compare the 2-year total, get your business up and running, and form your LLC with confidence. For the full checklist, read our guide on how to start an LLC in Kansas.
Ready to start your business in Kansas?
Register your business today. Pay for only what you need, get your company active in record time!
Register Your LLC Alex Chernavsky is the founder and CEO of BusinessRocket, which has filed LLCs in all 50 states since 2010.
