If you’re starting a business in Kansas, you will likely be required to obtain at least one permit and/or business license (depending on your location and industry).
In this Kansas Business License article, we’ll break down everything you need to know to get started. This includes how your business and location can affect your licensing requirements and how you can go about applying.
Let’s take a closer look.
We recommend registering your business as an LLC before getting your business license(s) in order to avoid potentially having to repeat the process later on. To get started, you can use a trusted LLC formation service.
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In Kansas, businesses are required to obtain various licenses and permits at the local, state, and federal levels. Here’s a general breakdown:
Below, we’ve detailed common ways in which your business type can dictate the licenses you’ll be required to obtain, as well as specific examples of these:
However, this is not the only factor influencing the exact combination of licenses you’ll need — the location of your business within Kansas plays an important role as well.
In this section, we’ve provided a succinct overview of the common business licenses and permits that your business may need due to local, state, and federal requirements:
Since the exact permits and licenses your business will need are entirely unique to your situation, you’ll have to conduct thorough research into your own local, state, and federal regulations to smoothly launch your business.
Alternatively, many entrepreneurs opt to leverage the expertise of third-party services to handle this on their behalf.
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We recommend registering your business as an LLC before getting your business license(s) in order to avoid potentially having to repeat the process later on. To get started, you can use a trusted LLC formation service.
Tailor Brands ($0 + State Filing Fees)
In order to get your business license(s) in Kansas, you will need to complete the following steps:
Let’s take a look at each step in more detail below.
Before setting out to obtain a business license in Kansas, it’s pivotal that you first choose an appropriate structure for your business. Sole proprietorships, general partnerships, and corporations are all common choices, however it’s often seen as the most advantageous for small businesses in Kansas to register as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Here are a few reasons for why:
Many small business owners opt to avoid the tricky process of forming an LLC by instead leveraging the help of third-party LLC formation services.
The second step you’ll need to complete before applying for your business license is to obtain your EIN. This is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to businesses in the United States so that their financial transactions can be identified and tracked.
An EIN is often necessitated when applying for various permits and licenses as it allows local and state governments to ensure your business is operating within the confines of the law. You can obtain it in a number of ways:
Note: If you are a sole proprietor, you will be able to use your Social Security Number (SSN) instead (as long as you do not have employees).
After settling on the appropriate structure for your business and initiating the application for your EIN, the next step is to focus on securing the necessary licenses and permits to operate legally within your locale and industry.
Note: For more information on different commercial licenses and permits in Kansas, visit the Kansas Business One Stop. This platform is an inter-agency collaboration and serves as your one-stop-shop for all regulatory information, including how to pay taxes, file annual reports, and register your business.
In Kansas, businesses must renew their Certificate of Authorization every two years. The renewal window is from November 2nd to December 31, with a grace period of up to March 1. If you’re uncertain whether you need to renew any of your business’s licenses, make sure to reach out to the agency that issued your licensing for additional clarification.
Alternatively, you can use a third-party service or a professional attorney for this process. This can be a good choice if you want to ensure that you avoid potential fines, as well as if you want to be as time-efficient as possible.
If you’re interested in finding out more about this process, see our article on How to Get a Business License.
In Kansas, the cost of a business license largely depends on the industry you’re in and the municipality in which you’re operating. For example, if your business is in a regulated industry like child care, you may find that the licensing fees are considerably higher, potentially ranging into the hundreds of dollars. On the other hand, more generic business licenses may come at a lower cost, sometimes under $100.
Location also plays a role in determining the cost. Businesses operating in populous cities or counties generally face higher licensing fees than those in rural areas. This could mean a difference of several hundred dollars in some cases.
Some cities also have additional requirements that can add to your overall licensing costs, such as zoning permits or industry-specific municipal licenses, which can vary widely in price.
To get a concrete idea of what your total business license cost will be, you will likely need to reach out to the relevant state agencies or seek legal advice.
We recommend registering your business as an LLC before getting your business license(s) in order to avoid potentially having to repeat the process later on. To get started, you can use a trusted LLC formation service.
Tailor Brands ($0 + State Filing Fees)
While Kansas doesn’t issue a universal state business license, your business may still need to obtain licenses or permits at local or state levels in order to conduct business legitimately. This will depend on its industry and location. Interested in finding out more? Check out our How to Get a Business License article.
The cost of acquiring a Kansas business license varies depending on several factors such as the type of business and its location. While some specialized industries may require expensive permits, some general business licenses could be more affordable, often below $100.
To successfully launch a business in Kansas, you’ll first need to determine your business structure, such as an LLC or a sole proprietorship. Next, you’ll need to acquire an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for tax-related transactions. Finally, you may be required to secure specific permits or regulatory licenses depending on your business (e.g., sales tax permit, etc.).
To verify the licensing status of a business in Kansas, you will need to utilize the Business Entity Search Station (BESS) page, which is available on the Secretary of State’s official website. This platform allows you to conduct a comprehensive search through various databases, providing accurate and official information relating to business licenses.
For all related articles, have a look at our How to Get a Business License page.
Information on this page was researched and gathered from a multitude of sources and was most recently updated on September 9, 2024
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