Kansas LLC Cost (2026): The 2026 Fee Cut, $85 Online Formation, and a Biennial Report
Kansas became noticeably cheaper for LLC owners in 2026. The Secretary of State cut LLC formation fees to align them with the fees charged to corporations, and reduced the fees for the information reports that keep an LLC in good standing. Many guides online still quote the old $160 filing fee, so if you are comparing states, use the new figures below.
The 2026 Fee Cut: $160 Down to $85
Until early 2026, forming a Kansas LLC cost $160 online, noticeably more than forming a Kansas corporation. The Secretary of State announced in 2026 that LLC formation fees now match corporate fees: $90 for a paper filing and $85 when filed online through the state’s KanAccess portal. For a new owner that is a saving of $75 before the LLC even opens.
The same change lowered the fees for information reports. The Secretary of State’s fee schedule is the authoritative source, and it is worth checking there before you file, since third-party sites have not all caught up.
Northwest Registered Agent
Kansas lists your resident agent address in the public business search. $39 formation + $85 state fee, free registered agent for year one, then $125/yr.
$39 formation fee · Free registered agent for 12 months · Your address stays off public records · No data selling · No hidden fees
Form Your LLC with Northwest ($39) →Lowest 3-year cost we found: Northwest $289 vs Bizee $298 vs ZenBusiness $497 (service fees; state fees extra). Northwest also puts its address on your public filings instead of yours where the state allows.
Filing the Articles of Organization
A Kansas LLC is formed by filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State’s Business Services Division. Kansas calls the registered agent a resident agent, and the articles must list one with a Kansas street address. The filing also records the LLC’s name and the organizer’s signature. Online filings through KanAccess are generally processed faster than mailed forms, and they cost $5 less.
The Biennial Information Report
Kansas LLCs file an information report every two years rather than annually. The Secretary of State assigns even or odd filing years based on the year the LLC was formed, and the report is due by the 15th day of the fourth month after the end of the LLC’s tax year, which is April 15 for calendar-year LLCs. An LLC that misses its report can be forfeited.
The report costs $90 online or $110 on paper. Confirm the current fee on the Secretary of State’s site before filing.
Name Reservations, Foreign LLCs, and Taxes
You can reserve an LLC name before filing for about $30 online ($35 by mail). An LLC formed in another state that wants to do business in Kansas registers as a foreign LLC for $115. Kansas does not charge a franchise tax, so beyond the Secretary of State fees, the main ongoing costs are ordinary income tax and, if you sell taxable goods or services, sales tax registration with the Department of Revenue.
Kansas 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $124 ($85 + $39, RA free) | $125 (no report + $125 RA) | $215 ($90 biennial report + $125 RA) | $464 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $184 ($85 + $0 + $99 RA) | $199 (no report + $199 RA) | $289 ($90 + $199 RA) | $672 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $85 (Articles, online) | $0 (no report due) | $90 (biennial report) | $175 |
A DIY Kansas LLC costs about $175 in state fees over three years under the 2026 schedule, one of the lowest totals in the country. The table places the first information report in year three; depending on your formation year and assigned cycle, it may fall in year two instead. The $289 extra with Northwest Registered Agent is registered agent service after year one.
Form your Kansas LLC for $39 + $85 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders, and your home address kept off public records.
Form My Kansas LLC for $39
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
When a Kansas LLC may not be worth it yet: after the 2026 fee cut, cost is rarely the reason to wait. The better test is whether you have contracts, employees, or liability exposure. If you do, forming now is inexpensive; if not, you lose little by waiting until you do.
Why I Choose Northwest Registered Agent
After forming 3 LLCs myself and helping clients through the process, I keep coming back to Northwest Registered Agent. Here is why:
- Remarkable Customer Support: Quick, human responses every time.
- Caring & Privacy-Focused: Genuine service with full respect for your privacy.
- Lightning-Fast Formation: Often faster than promised.
- Incredible Value: $39 includes a free business address, mail scanning, and more.
- Clear & Transparent: No hidden fees or surprises.
Ready to form your business? Choose Northwest today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Kansas in 2026?
$85 online or $90 by mail after the 2026 fee reduction (previously $160). With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $124, including a free first year of registered agent service.
How often does a Kansas LLC file a report?
Every two years. Kansas assigns even or odd filing years based on formation year, with the report due by the 15th day of the fourth month after the tax year ends.
Did Kansas lower its biennial report fee?
It costs $90 online or $110 on paper, every two years. Check the Secretary of State’s current fee schedule before filing.
Does Kansas have a franchise tax for LLCs?
No. Kansas does not charge LLCs a franchise tax.
