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How to Start an LLC in Kansas (May 2024 Update)

Meow Technologies, Inc.

Meow Technologies, Inc.

Kansas has emerged as one of the top states for business in recent years. In 2021, Kansas was ranked as having the most economic investment per capita in the entire United States! This influx of investment has led many entrepreneurs to consider starting a business in the Sunflower State. Many of these new businesses are forming as LLCs to gain legal protections and tax advantages. This article will walk through the key steps and requirements for starting an LLC in Kansas.

Before Filing Your Kansas LLC Paperwork

The first things you need to do before filing any official paperwork is choose your business name and designate a registered agent.

Reserving Your Business Name

It’s important to check that the preferred name for your Kansas LLC is available and distinguishable from other names in the state. You can search the Secretary of State’s database to see if your desired company name has already been taken. If it’s available, you can reserve the name for up to 120 days for a $30 fee. Reserving your name is not required, but it ensures no one else can claim it before you formally register your LLC.

Appointing a Registered Agent

All LLCs formed in Kansas must appoint a registered agent, also called a resident agent. This agent is authorized to accept legal documents and correspondence on behalf of your business. The registered agent must be a Kansas resident or business entity with an in-state physical address.

You can serve as your LLC’s registered agent yourself or designate another member. However, it often makes sense to hire a professional registered agent service to handle this responsibility. These services receive and scan your important documents so you don’t miss anything critical for your business.

Filing Your Kansas LLC Paperwork

To formally create your LLC, you must file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. Here are the key steps in this process:

Submitting Articles of Organization

The Kansas Articles of Organization form establishes your LLC. It includes details like your business name, registered agent, mailing address, owners/members, signature, and more. You can file the articles by mail with a $165 fee or complete the process online for $160.

Paying Your Filing Fees

In addition to the articles of organization, you must pay filing fees to the state. As mentioned above, this is $165 for mail filing or $160 for electronic filing. The state accepts check, money order, or online payment.

Taking Next Steps After Approval

Once your LLC has been officially approved in Kansas, there are a few other items you need to handle:

Making Corrections and Amendments

If you notice errors in your originally filed paperwork, you can submit a Certificate of Correction to the state. The filing fee is $35 for for-profit LLCs and $20 for nonprofits. You’ll also need to report changes to your registered agent or their address.

Filing Annual Reports to Maintain Good Standing

Kansas requires all LLCs to submit annual reports to provide updated details about the business. You can file these reports electronically for $50 per year or via mail for $55 per year. They are essential for keeping your LLC compliant.

Obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Though not always needed, most LLCs require a federal EIN for tax and identification purposes. Even single-member LLCs often get an EIN instead of using the owner’s Social Security Number. Applying online takes just 15 minutes and is completely free.

Creating an Operating Agreement

While not mandated, having an operating agreement is highly recommended for Kansas LLCs. This document outlines financial structures, voting procedures, membership details, and more. It prevents confusion down the road.

Additional Considerations for Your LLC

Before opening for business, you’ll need to complete a few other tasks:

Understanding Business License and Permit Requirements

Depending on your industry, Kansas may require specific state or local licenses and permits. Be sure to research the requirements for your county and city. The Secretary of State website has helpful information based on your business activities.

Paying Taxes

As an LLC owner, you’ll need to pay Kansas income taxes on your share of the business’s profits. You may also need to collect and remit sales tax if selling taxable goods. If you have employees, you must pay withholding and unemployment insurance taxes.

Examining Your Business Insurance Options

Speak with an insurance broker about the optimal coverage for your Kansas LLC. Certain policies, like workers compensation and commercial auto insurance, are mandatory. But you may also benefit from general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, cyber insurance, and more.

Creating a Marketing Strategy

Lastly, create a cohesive brand identity and marketing plan to attract your ideal Kansas customers. Elements may include your color scheme, logo, signage, website, advertising channels, social media, and other platforms to reach local clients.

In Closing

Forming an LLC can be complicated, but it unlocks advantages like personal liability protection and pass-through taxation. As Kansas continues growing its vibrant business community, LLCs have become increasingly popular legal structures for entrepreneurs. We hope this guide gave you a head start on the process of starting your own Kansas LLC!

Meow Technologies is a financial technology company, not a bank or FDIC-depository insured institution. Likewise, Meow Technologies is not an investment adviser and none of the information presented herein should be relied upon as financial advice or a recommendation to make any financial decision nor should it be considered to be tax or legal advice. The information is the opinion of Meow Technologies for educational purposes and may not be suitable for all companies. Products, like the one described herein, are offered through Meow Technologies and are not advisory services which are only offered through Meow Advisory, LLC.** The FDIC’s deposit insurance coverage only protects against the failure of an FDIC-insured bank.**

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**Disclaimer: Meow Technologies is a financial technology company, not a depository, bank or credit union, and your account at Meow is not, itself, an FDIC-insured product.

Meow currently partners with three banking providers. Banking services are provided by Third Coast Bank SSB; Member FDIC, Grasshopper Bank, N.A; Member FDIC, and FirstBank, a Tennessee corporation; Member FDIC.

By opening a Maximum Checking account through Meow and if you choose to receive banking services provided by Grasshopper Bank, N.A, you deposit your funds into a deposit account at Grasshopper Bank, N.A. which sweeps those funds into deposit accounts across a network of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”)-insured banks, for up to the current standard maximum deposit insurance amount (“SMDIA”) of $250,000 per eligible depositor, per destination institution, for each ownership capacity or category, subject to applicable terms and conditions, including Grasshopper's ICS Deposit Placement Agreement. Grasshopper Bank, N.A. uses a third-party vendor and agent to help administer this sweep process. Visit https://www.intrafi.com/network-banks/ for a list of the banks and savings associations with which we/Grasshopper, N.A. have a business relationship for the placement of deposits at destination institutions, and into which your deposits may be placed (subject to applicable terms with you, and any opt-outs by Grasshopper, N.A. or you). The current maximum deposit insurance amount for your funds is up to $125 million in FDIC insurance through the sweep network of Grasshopper Bank, N.A, subject to change at any time with notice from Meow and/or pursuant to applicable law. Terms and restrictions apply. Subject to applicable rate sheet. Interest rate on checking products quoted in Annual Percentage Yield (APY). Interest rates and yields are effective as per the date on the applicable rate sheet. See applicable terms and restrictions and refer to the applicable rate sheets for additional information.

By opening a Maximum Checking account through Meow and if you choose to receive banking services provided by Third Coast Bank SSB, you deposit your funds into a deposit account at Third Coast Bank SSB. If you also hold funds in a sweep program with Third Coast Bank SSB, Third Coast Bank SSB sweeps those funds into deposit accounts across a network of FDIC-insured banks, for up to the current SMDIA of $250,000 per eligible depositor, per receiving bank, for each ownership capacity or category, including any other balances you may hold at that receiving bank directly or indirectly through other intermediaries, including broker-dealers. Third Coast Bank SSB uses a third-party vendor and agent to help administer this sweep process. Visit Third Coast Bank SSB for a list of the banks and savings associations with which we/Third Coast Bank SSB have a business relationship for the placement of deposits at receiving banks, and into which your deposits may be placed (subject to applicable terms with you, and any opt-outs by Third Coast Bank or you). The current maximum deposit insurance amount for your funds is up to $50 Million in FDIC insurance through the sweep network of Third Coast Bank, subject to change at any time with notice from Meow and/or pursuant to applicable law. Terms and restrictions apply. Subject to applicable rate sheet. Interest rate on checking products quoted in Annual Percentage Yield (APY). Interest rates and yields are effective as per the date on the applicable rate sheet. See applicable terms and conditions and refer to the applicable rate sheet for additional information.

By opening a Maximum Checking account through Meow and if you choose to receive banking services provided by FirstBank, a Tennessee corporation, you deposit your funds into a deposit account at FirstBank, which sweeps those funds into deposit accounts across a network of FDIC-insured banks, for up to the current SMDIA of $250,000 per eligible depositor, per destination institution, for each ownership capacity or category, subject to applicable terms and conditions, including FirstBank's ICS Deposit Placement Agreement. FirstBank uses a third-party vendor and agent to help administer this sweep process. Visit IntraFi for a list of the banks and savings associations with which FirstBank has a business relationship for the placement of deposits at destination institutions, and into which your deposits may be placed (subject to applicable terms with you, and any opt-outs by FirstBank or you). The current maximum deposit insurance amount for your funds is up to $125 million in FDIC insurance through the sweep network of FirstBank, subject to change at any time with notice from Meow and/or pursuant to applicable law. Terms and restrictions apply. Subject to applicable rate sheet. Interest rate on checking products quoted in Annual Percentage Yield (APY). Interest rates and yields are effective as per the date on the applicable rate sheet. See applicable terms and restrictions and refer to the applicable rate sheet for additional information.

***FDIC insurance coverage is only available to protect you against the failure of an FDIC-insured bank that holds your deposits (and does not protect you against the failure of Meow or other third party). Your account with Meow and all services provided to you are subject to the Meow Terms of Service (“Account Agreements”) and other applicable terms and no other representations or warranties, express or implied, are provided to you except as expressly set forth in those written Account Agreements. If you have any questions regarding your account, please contact team@meow.com.

FirstBank Funds Availability Notice

FirstBank’s general policy is to allow you to withdraw funds deposited in your account on the first business day after the day we receive your deposit. Funds from electronic deposits will be available on the day we receive the deposit. In some cases, we may delay your ability to withdraw funds beyond the first business day. Then, the funds will generally be available by the SECOND business day after the day of deposit.