$85 to form your Kansas LLC
$85 state filing fee · $50biennial report. 5-year cost of ownership: $185.
By Aissam Baidi · Reviewed against www.sos.ks.gov · Verified 2026-05-29
How much does a Kansas LLC cost in 2026? A Kansas LLC costs $85 in year one ($85 filing fee for the Articles of Organization). Ongoing cost is $25/year ($50 biennial report). Five-year total: $185. Standard processing takes about 0 business days; expedite for $0 extra. At $85, Kansas runs $70 below the US median of $155 for year-one LLC costs, making it one of the cheaper states to form in. This makes Kansas attractive for solo founders, e-commerce sellers, and home-based businesses on a tight startup budget. Sourced from www.sos.ks.gov, verified 2026-05-29.
Customize your Kansas LLC cost
Add a registered agent, expedite, or operating agreement, see your exact total.
LLC Cost Calculator
Pick your state, choose any add-ons, and see the year-one + 5-year math. Every figure cites the state's Secretary of State or the IRS.
Kansas vs the rest of the US
Year-1 LLC cost in Kansas is $85. That's $50 more than the cheapest state (Montana). Form there if you can register your business out-of-state.
All figures are year-1 LLC formation cost (state filing fee + first-year report fee + first-year franchise tax). Sourced quarterly from each state's Secretary of State office.
5-year cumulative cost projection
How Kansas's LLC cost compares against the popular "shop another state" alternatives over 5 years of ownership. Steeper line = higher recurring cost.
All 50 states + DC, by 5-year LLC cost
Heat-map of 5-year ownership cost across the US. Click any state to see its full breakdown. Cheapest in green, most expensive in dark red.
- Cheapest 20%
- Below average
- Average
- Above average
- Most expensive 20%
5-year cost = year-1 (state filing + first-year report + first-year franchise tax) + 4 years of ongoing (annual/biennial report + franchise tax). Sourced quarterly from each Secretary of State.
Where would you save the most?
Filing in Montana instead of Kansas could save you about $150 over 5 years (81% lower total).
Cross-state filing requires foreign qualification in the state you actually operate from, which adds $50-$300/year in fees plus a registered agent in each jurisdiction. Run the math before deciding.
Cheapest 5-year LLC states
Most expensive 5-year LLC states
Kansas LLC formation, decoded
30,500 LLCs formed in Kansas in 2025 • Top industries: aerospace and defense, agriculture and food processing, advanced manufacturing
Kansas offers a pro-business climate with a strong foundation in agriculture, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing, supported by a central geographic location and a skilled workforce.
Located in the Midwest, Kansas shares borders with Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, and Oklahoma, providing strategic logistical advantages for businesses targeting the central United States.
Kansas uniquely allows an LLC to serve as its own registered agent, provided the LLC maintains a physical Kansas address and is available during business hours, offering a distinct flexibility not common in many other states.
When forming your Kansas LLC, consider filing online for immediate approval, and be aware that the state transitioned from annual to biennial reports in 2024, so mark your calendar for the correct filing cycle.
Kansas bills the annual report every 2 years (biennial), not annually. That cuts ongoing administrative friction roughly in half compared to annual-cadence states.
Full Kansas LLC cost guide
Kansas LLC Cost: $85 Filing + $50 Biennial Report (2026)
Forming an LLC in Kansas costs $85 to file Articles of Organization online (or $165 by mail/paper) with the Secretary of State and $50 every two years for the biennial report (or $55 by paper). Kansas has no LLC franchise tax (repealed effective tax year 2011), no publication requirement, and same-day online filing. Five-year cost of ownership (DIY, online): roughly $210. Kansas sits in the middle of the cost rankings but offers some of the fastest processing in the country, online filings are typically approved immediately.
Reviewed by LLC Formation Cost Editorial Team, fact-checked against primary government sources • Last updated 2026-05-29 • 5 primary government sources cited
TL;DR
Kansas LLCs file Articles of Organization with the Kansas Secretary of State for $85 online or $165 by paper. The biennial report is $50 online ($55 by paper) and due by April 15 of either even or odd years depending on the LLC’s formation year (even-year LLCs file in even years, odd-year LLCs file in odd years). Kansas repealed its corporate franchise tax effective tax year 2011 under Senate Bill 70, so no franchise tax applies to LLCs. The state has a personal income tax (graduated 3.1% to 5.7% in 2026) on pass-through profits, but the LLC itself owes nothing at the entity level. Online filings via the KanAccess portal are processed same-day (often within minutes); paper filings take 2-3 days.
Kansas LLC cost breakdown (2026)
| Line item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (online) | $85 | sos.ks.gov |
| Articles of Organization (paper) | $165 | sos.ks.gov |
| Biennial Report (online) | $50 | sos.ks.gov |
| Biennial Report (paper) | $55 | sos.ks.gov |
| Franchise tax | $0 | ksrevenue.gov |
| Registered Agent service (optional) | $50-$200/yr | private market |
| Year 1 total (DIY online) | $85 | |
| Year 1 with RA service | $165-$285 | |
| Years 2-5 ongoing (DIY) | ~$125 total ($50 every 2 yrs) | |
| 5-year total (DIY online) | ~$210 |
All figures verified 2026-05-29 from primary Kansas state sources.
Why Kansas is faster than most states
Kansas has invested heavily in digitizing business filings through the KanAccess platform, the result is one of the fastest LLC formation experiences in the country. Most online Articles of Organization filings are approved in under 60 minutes during business hours, with the formation certificate emailed back to the filer the same day. By comparison, California (21 business days standard), Idaho (15-20), Arizona (14), and New York (7) all take longer.
The cost structure is also straightforward:
- $85 online filing, mid-pack nationally (cheaper than Florida $125, Texas $300, Massachusetts $500; pricier than Mississippi $50, Iowa $50, Michigan $50).
- $50 biennial report, every 2 years instead of every year, lowers ongoing overhead.
- No franchise tax, the Kansas franchise tax was repealed under 2011 SB 70 effective tax year 2011. The old tax was 0.0625% of net capital up to $20,000 maximum; it’s gone for both corporations and LLCs.
- No publication requirement.
The single quirk to watch: the biennial report is locked to your formation year’s parity, an LLC formed in 2026 (even) files its biennial reports in even years (2028, 2030, 2032), while a 2027-formed LLC files in odd years. The SOS sends courtesy email reminders, but the parity rule trips up filers who assume “biennial = every two years from formation date.” Source: Kansas SOS Annual Report info, verified 2026-05-29.
Filing steps (DIY, no service)
- Pick a name, search availability at the Kansas SOS Business Entity Search. Names must include “Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Company,” “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “LC,” or “L.C.”
- Designate a resident agent, must have a Kansas street address (K.S.A. § 17-7666). You can act as your own resident agent if you live in Kansas.
- File Articles of Organization, $85 online via KanAccess or $165 by paper mail to Kansas Secretary of State, Memorial Hall, 1st Floor, 120 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66612.
- Get a federal EIN, free at irs.gov.
- Draft an operating agreement, not required by Kansas law but recommended. K.S.A. § 17-7672 explicitly recognizes operating agreements as binding between members.
- Register for Kansas state taxes, sales tax registration ($0) via ksrevenue.gov if selling tangible goods, employer withholding registration if hiring W-2 employees.
- Open a business bank account, Kansas banks (Capitol Federal, INTRUST Bank, Commerce Bank) require the filed Articles, EIN letter, and operating agreement.
- File FinCEN BOI report, required under the federal Corporate Transparency Act within 30 days of formation. Free at fincen.gov/boi.
- Track the biennial parity, formed in even year, biennial reports due April 15 of even years; formed odd year, April 15 of odd years.
- File first biennial report, due April 15 of the year matching your formation-year parity following formation. $50 online via KanAccess.
Online filings via KanAccess are processed same-day (typically within an hour during business hours). Paper filings via mail take 2-3 business days plus mail transit.
Page-unique facts
- Kansas repealed its corporate franchise tax effective tax year 2011. Under SB 70 (2011), the old franchise tax (0.0625% of net capital, max $20,000) was eliminated for both corporations and LLCs. Source: Kansas Department of Revenue.
- Kansas’s biennial report is parity-locked. Formation in an even year locks all future biennial reports to even years; odd-year formation locks to odd years. This is uncommon nationally and trips up filers who assume “every two years from your formation date.”
- Same-day online approval. Kansas’s KanAccess platform delivers same-day (usually under one hour) approval of online Articles of Organization, faster than California, Idaho, Arizona, New York, and most large states.
- Kansas LLC names can use the word “Kansas” freely. Some states (notably Arkansas) prohibit state-name use in LLC names; Kansas allows it.
- Kansas adopted the Series LLC structure in 2014. Under K.S.A. § 17-76,143, Kansas authorizes Series LLCs with separate internal series, each with independent assets and liabilities. The Kansas Series LLC predates many neighboring states and is used widely for real estate holding structures.
FAQ
Why does Kansas charge $85 online but $165 by paper?
The $80 differential is an explicit incentive to drive filers to the KanAccess online portal, which reduces SOS staff processing time from days to minutes. The paper option remains available for filers without internet access or those needing handwritten documents, but the price differential is among the largest in the country (compared to Wyoming, which charges the same fee online or by mail). Source: Kansas SOS Fee Schedule, verified 2026-05-29.
When is my Kansas LLC biennial report due?
By April 15 of every other year, with the year determined by your formation year’s parity. An LLC formed January 2026 (even year) files its first biennial report by April 15, 2028, then 2030, 2032. An LLC formed January 2027 (odd) files by April 15, 2029, then 2031, 2033. The first report is due in the second calendar year matching the parity rule, never in your formation year. Source: Kansas SOS Annual Report instructions.
Does Kansas charge a franchise tax on LLCs?
No. The Kansas corporate franchise tax was repealed effective tax year 2011 under SB 70. No franchise tax applies to LLCs, whether they’re disregarded single-member entities or multi-member partnerships. Pass-through profits flow to members’ Kansas personal returns at the 3.1%-5.7% graduated rate. Source: Kansas Department of Revenue.
Can I form an anonymous Kansas LLC?
No, fully anonymous formation is not available in Kansas. The Articles of Organization require the resident agent’s name and address (public record), and the biennial report requires officer/manager information. For statutory member anonymity, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Delaware are stronger jurisdictions. Source: K.S.A. § 17-7673.
How fast is Kansas LLC formation?
Online filings via KanAccess are processed same-day, usually within one business hour. Paper filings take 2-3 business days at the SOS office plus mail transit time both ways. Kansas does not advertise a separate expedited service because the standard online process is already among the fastest in the country. Source: Kansas SOS processing, verified 2026-05-29.
Are Series LLCs available in Kansas?
Yes. K.S.A. § 17-76,143 authorizes Kansas Series LLCs. A single “master” LLC can establish multiple internal series, each with independent assets, liabilities, members, and managers. One $85 filing covers all internal series. Common pattern for real estate investors holding multiple properties under one umbrella. Source: K.S.A. § 17-76,143.
Kansas tax structure for LLC pass-through profits
Kansas’s individual income tax structure (after the 2017 repeal of the Brownback-era pass-through exemption) applies fully to LLC members on Kansas-source income. Under the 2025 graduated structure, Kansas-resident members owe state income tax on pass-through profits at 3.1% on the first $15,000 of taxable income ($30,000 married filing jointly), 5.25% on the next $15,001 to $30,000 ($30,001 to $60,000 MFJ), and 5.7% above $30,000 ($60,000 MFJ). Non-resident members owe Kansas non-resident income tax on Kansas-source LLC profits, typically filed via Form K-40 with apportionment schedules. The Kansas LLC itself owes nothing at the entity level, but multi-member LLCs taxed as partnerships file Form K-120S to report Kansas-source income to the Department of Revenue. The 2024 Kansas tax reform (signed by Governor Kelly under SB 1) increased the personal exemption to $9,160 (single) but did not eliminate income tax on pass-through profits. LLC owners considering Kansas should budget for personal income tax in addition to the entity-level $0 obligation. Source: Kansas Department of Revenue individual income tax.
State quirk: the parity-locked biennial report
Kansas is the only state where biennial reports are locked to the formation year’s even/odd parity rather than every two years from the formation date. An LLC formed in November 2025 (odd) files its first biennial report by April 15, 2027 (just 17 months later), then every two years thereafter. An LLC formed in December 2026 (even) waits until April 15, 2028 (almost two years later). This creates a deliberate asymmetry that the Kansas Legislature adopted in 1999’s Kansas Revised Limited Liability Company Act to spread report-processing load across the SOS’s two-year cycle. The practical impact: budget your first biennial report for either 1-2 years after formation depending on parity, and never assume the report is due exactly 24 months after your filing. Source: Kansas Revised LLC Act, K.S.A. Chapter 17 Article 76.
Common mistake in Kansas
The most common Kansas LLC mistake is mis-timing the biennial report by treating it as “due two years from your formation date.” It isn’t. An LLC formed in November 2025 owes its biennial report by April 15, 2027, just 17 months after formation, not 2026 (skipped, because 2026 is even and the LLC was formed in an odd year) and not November 2027. The parity rule catches filers off guard, and missing April 15 triggers a $40 late fee plus eventual administrative dissolution. The Kansas SOS sends email reminders, but only to the address on file. Always calendar both your formation date AND the April 15 of the next matching-parity year.
A second common error is filing by paper to save the “online convenience fee” perceived in the $80 differential between online ($85) and paper ($165) submission. The $165 paper fee is not a convenience surcharge for online filers; it is the actual cost of paper processing, which requires manual data entry, physical filing, and slower review by SOS staff. The $85 online fee reflects the automation savings the SOS captures by routing filings through KanAccess. Paper-filing to save money is a false economy: it costs $80 more, takes 5-10 days longer, and provides no additional legal protection. The same logic applies to the biennial report: $50 online vs. $55 paper. Always use the online portal unless paper submission is required for a specific legal reason (such as a court-ordered correction or a fraud claim being asserted).
When a Kansas LLC makes sense vs. neighboring alternatives
Kansas is well-positioned for Kansas-resident operators and Midwest-based real estate investors who want a fast, low-friction formation experience without optimizing for non-resident privacy. Compared to neighboring and competitive jurisdictions:
- Kansas vs. Missouri, Missouri ($50 filing, $0 annual report) is cheaper on the back end and offers the same general LLC framework. Kansas wins on online processing speed (same-day vs. Missouri’s 1-business-day). For Kansas City metro operators with bi-state activity, the choice often hinges on where the primary business is located.
- Kansas vs. Oklahoma, Oklahoma ($104 filing, $25 annual report) is slightly more expensive than Kansas. Both states have similar privacy postures and similar processing speed. The choice usually follows resident state.
- Kansas vs. Nebraska, Nebraska ($100 filing + $170 publication requirement + $28 biennial) is dramatically more expensive than Kansas due to Nebraska’s mandatory newspaper publication. Kansas wins clearly for non-Nebraska-resident formations.
- Kansas vs. Wyoming, Wyoming offers stronger statutory privacy (members not on public Articles) and stronger charging-order asset protection. Kansas is cheaper over five years ($210 vs. Wyoming’s $400 DIY). For pure cost optimization without anonymity priorities, Kansas wins; for asset-protection structures, Wyoming wins.
- Kansas vs. Delaware, Delaware is the institutional-investor standard but charges $300/yr franchise tax for LLCs. Kansas saves $250/yr in ongoing cost. Use Delaware only if you’re on a VC or institutional-investor track; use Kansas otherwise.
For Kansas residents running service businesses, real estate ventures, or small operating companies, the Kansas LLC is the natural choice and produces a strong cost-to-speed ratio. For non-residents, the analysis typically favors Wyoming, New Mexico, or Mississippi for cheaper or more anonymity-friendly alternatives.
One Kansas-specific consideration worth highlighting: the Kansas Series LLC structure under K.S.A. § 17-76,143 is genuinely useful for Kansas-based real estate investors holding multiple properties. A Series LLC with one $85 master filing can hold five, ten, or more separate properties as internal series, each with isolated assets and liabilities under Kansas statutory law. The single biennial report ($50) covers the entire master Series LLC structure (unlike Maryland, which requires per-series annual reports). For a Kansas real estate investor with three rental properties, the Series LLC structure produces a roughly $250 5-year cost vs. $630 (3 × $210) for three separate Kansas LLCs. The catch: out-of-state recognition of Series LLCs is inconsistent. A Kansas Series LLC owning Missouri property may face Missouri courts treating the entire master as one entity for liability purposes, defeating the asset-isolation benefit. Verify host-state Series LLC recognition before structuring around it.
Sources
- Kansas Secretary of State Business Services, last verified 2026-05-29
- Kansas SOS KanAccess Filing Portal, last verified 2026-05-29
- Kansas Revised Limited Liability Company Act, K.S.A. Chapter 17 Article 76, last verified 2026-05-29
- Kansas Department of Revenue, last verified 2026-05-29
- IRS Publication 3402, Taxation of Limited Liability Companies, last verified 2026-05-29
About the author
Aissam Baidi is the founder and researcher behind llcformationcost.com. He verifies Kansas LLC fees directly from sos.ks.gov on a quarterly cycle. Connect on LinkedIn.
Not legal advice. Estimates based on publicly available data from each state’s Secretary of State office. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.
Kansas LLC compliance checklist
10 state-specific tasks. Progress saves to your browser. No account needed.
Save your Kansas calculation
Get a shareable link that preserves every input. Send it to your CPA, your co-founder, or your future self. Works without an account; the link encodes your inputs in the URL.
Copy the share link
Includes every input you've selected: state, members, add-ons, S-corp election, registered agent service.
Or scan to phone
Run the calc on desktop, scan the code, finish on mobile. No account, no email, no friction.
Ask anything about Kansas LLCs
Pre-answered for the questions founders ask first. Tap one to read the full answer, or write your own.
What's the actual filing fee in Kansas?
Kansas charges $85 to file the Articles of Organization with www.sos.ks.gov. Expedited service is available for an additional $0, reducing turnaround to about 0 business days vs. the standard ~0.
Does Kansas have a franchise tax?
No. Kansas does not impose a flat franchise tax on LLCs. Some pass-through entity income may still be taxed at the member level under state income tax rules.
What's the annual report situation in Kansas?
Kansas requires a biennial report at $50. That cadence is every two years, so the amortized cost is roughly $25/year. Note: the first-year report is billed separately at $0.
Do I need a registered agent in Kansas?
Yes. Every Kansas LLC must designate a registered agent with a physical Kansas street address (no P.O. boxes), available during business hours to accept legal mail. You can serve as your own agent for free if you live in Kansas, but most founders use a commercial service ($100-150/year) to keep their home address off the public record.
What's unusual about forming an LLC in Kansas?
Kansas uniquely allows an LLC to serve as its own registered agent, provided the LLC maintains a physical Kansas address and is available during business hours, offering a distinct flexibility not common in many other states.
Kansas-specific Operating Agreement preview
Five substantive sections with Kansas-specific clauses (filing form, franchise tax, publication requirements, governing law). Use as a starting point with your attorney, or upgrade for the full 12-section document.
OPERATING AGREEMENT OF [COMPANY NAME], LLC
Article I. Formation
This Operating Agreement is entered into as of [date], by and among the undersigned members of [Company Name], a Limited Liability Company organized under the Kansas Limited Liability Company Act. The Company was formed by filing the Articles of Organization with the Kansas Secretary of State on [filing date]. The Company's principal office is located at [address], Kansas.
Article II. Members & Membership Interests
The members of the Company are listed on Exhibit A. Each member's capital contribution and percentage interest are set forth therein. Members may be admitted only by [unanimous / majority] consent of existing members. Kansas law does not mandate a written operating agreement, but the parties agree that this writing governs.
Article III. Management
The Company shall be [member-managed / manager-managed]. Kansas default rules apply to any matter not addressed here. The Company shall timely file the biennial report ($50) with the Kansas Secretary of State to maintain good standing.
Article IV. Distributions & Allocations
Profits, losses, and distributions shall be allocated among members in proportion to their percentage interests, except as otherwise agreed in writing. Distributions shall be made [quarterly / annually / at the discretion of the [members / managers]]. The Company shall maintain capital accounts in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b).
Article V. Dissolution & Kansas-Specific Provisions
The Company shall dissolve upon [vote of majority members / occurrence of specific events]. Upon dissolution, the Company shall wind up its affairs and distribute remaining assets in accordance with Kansas law. This agreement is governed by Kansas law and any disputes shall be resolved in [forum].
7 more sections in the full document
Tax matters, indemnification, transfer restrictions, dissolution mechanics, signature pages, exhibits A & B (member roster + capital contributions), and amendment procedures. Plus state-specific signature-line text per $Kansas convention.
Not legal advice. This template is a starting point for discussion with a licensed Kansas attorney. Operating Agreements should be reviewed by counsel for your specific situation.
Kansas LLC cost vs popular alternatives
A common decision is whether to form in your home state or an out-of-state filing state (Delaware, Wyoming, New Mexico). Out-of-state formation usually requires foreign-LLC registration in your home state too, adding both filing costs.
| State | First-year cost | Annual renewal | Franchise tax | Processing days | Publication required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $85 | $25 | - | 0 days | - |
| Delaware | $390 | $300 | - | 14 days | - |
| Wyoming | $160 | $60 | - | 14 days | - |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 | - | 14 days | - |
| Florida | $263.75 | $138.75 | - | 5 days | - |
Fees verified 2026-05-29 from each state's Secretary of State.
Frequently asked questions about Kansas LLCs
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Kansas in 2026?
Kansas charges $85 to file the Articles of Organization. An ongoing biennial report fee of $50 keeps the LLC in good standing. Verified 2026-05-29 from www.sos.ks.gov.
Does Kansas require an annual report?
Yes. Kansas requires a biennial report at $50.
What is the processing time in Kansas?
Standard processing in Kansas takes about 0 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional $0, reducing turnaround to about 0 business days.
Does Kansas have a publication requirement?
No. Kansas does not require LLC formation to be published in newspapers.
Get a personalized Kansas recommendation
Our AI reviews your situation and recommends the cheapest legal path, formation timing, registered-agent choice, S-corp threshold, and BOI deadline. It also compares any LLC formation service you've been considering against direct-with-state filing.
Open the AI advisorNot legal advice. Estimates based on publicly available data from each state's Secretary of State office. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.