Kansas – 50 States of Incorporation, Rebooted

Toto, we’re definitely in Kansas this week! Also known as the “The Sunflower State,” Kansas received high marks in Thumbtack’s 2017 Small Business Friendliness survey. An “A” grade was given to their training and networking programs, tax code, employment and hiring, and ease in starting a small business.

While Kansas has long been considered to be America’s agricultural heartland, at the start of the 20th century, mining, oil production, automobile manufacturing and the aircraft industry changed its tone so it could become a booming industrial state. If you’re excited by the prospect of starting a business in “The Jayhawk State,” here’s what you need to know about incorporating in Kansas.

1. When visiting the Kansas Secretary of State website, you can head over to their business filing center. This section provides several resources for business entities including business search tools, check for name availability, and formation documents to file for entities including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), or limited partnerships.

2. Additional resources included by the Secretary of state include the ability to file an annual report, obtain a certificate of good standing, and file for withdrawal amendments and dissolutions. You are also required to obtain licenses, registration numbers, and permits as required by the local, state, and federal governments for your business. You may also perform a trademark search before filing to register for a trademark to make sure it is not already in use.

3. Kansas tax laws are a little complex, with the state having 12 types of taxes that may include but are not limited to retailers’ sales tax, withholding tax, corporate income tax, and transient guest tax among others. Luckily, the state has a business tax PDF of all the different types of taxes to keep in mind when filing returns and paying for taxes as well as an application once you have decided which appropriate taxes that pertain to your small business.

4. You small business is also required to have a registered agent. A registered agent (RA) is an individual or third party service that accepts legal and official documents on behalf of your business. Whether you choose an individual or third party, they must be a resident of the state of Kansas, have a physical street address in the state, and be available during general business hours to receive service of process.

5. If you need extra assistance in starting or maintaining your business, don’t hesitate to visit the Kansas Business Center. This page includes everything you need to know about planning, registering, operating, and closing a business as well as extra guidance and tips for moving a business to Kansas.

For all your small business updates follow the Kansas States Government on Facebook and Twitter.

Thinking about starting a small business in Kansas? Give us a call at 1(877) 692-6772 or visit us at mycorporation.com if you have any questions about forming a business or the regulations required.

Welcome back to the 50 States of Incorporation, Rebooted where we share what it takes to start a business in each of the 50 states. Join us biweekly for advice on how to start an LLC or corporation across the United States.