How to Start an LLC in Kansas
Choose a Business Name
Choosing a business name is one of the most important steps when establishing an LLC in Kansas. You have to make sure that your business name is distinctive and memorable so that you can build a strong brand. It should also be easily recognizable, so it can stand out in the marketplace.
When you have chosen your business name, you must then check that it is legally available and complies with the regulations in Kansas.
Check for availability
Once you’ve settled on the perfect business name, it’s time to check for availability. This is an important step and should not be overlooked, as you don’t want to fall in love with a business name that someone else has already claimed.
Make sure to do a search of your chosen business name (including similar names) both online and off, as well as at the state and federal government websites. You can also use the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website to make sure there are no other trademarked names that match or are similar to yours.
Also be sure to check if the domain name associated with your business is available.It would be a shame if you fell in love with your ideal business name, only to find out that someone already owns it or has trademarked it!
If all goes well,you’ll receive confirmation that the business name is free for use. Once you’ receive approval, move forward with registering your new business either at the state or federal level (depending on your structure).
Follow naming guidelines
When choosing a name for your LLC in Kansas, there are some legal restrictions that you must consider. Your name must include one of the following: LLC; L.L.C.; Limited Liability Company; or, the applicable abbreviation in brackets – [LLC], [L.L.C.] To keep it simple, you may use their complete abbreviation as part of your business name (e.g., Kansas City LLC).
Your name also cannot include wording implying fraudulent activity, such as “Insurance” or “Bank” unless that is what you actually do and are registered to do with the proper licenses. Additionally, a qualified business cannot use the same name as an existing registered business in Kansas or an already pending application for registration of a trade-name (DBA) in the state of Kansas.
The State of Kansas requires that your LLC legal name not be too similar another existing corporation, limited liability company (LLC) or limited partnership (LP). To further protect yourself legally, check if a domain name is available with the Secretary of State’s website before registering your chosen LLC name and make sure it has not been previously trademarked by someone else.
File an LLC Certificate of Formation
To get your Kansas LLC up and running, you’ll first need to file an LLC Certificate of Formation with the Kansas Secretary of State. This certificate serves as your LLC’s official paperwork and is necessary for establishing legal ownership of your LLC. It will include important details such as the LLC’s name, registered agent, and the purpose of the LLC. Read on to learn more about filing an LLC Certificate of Formation in Kansas.
Prepare the document
When you are ready to officially create your LLC in Kansas, the first step is to file a Certificate of Formation with the Kansas Secretary of State. This document is used by the state to track basic information about your LLC, such as its name and address. There are two ways to submit this form: online or by mail. The online filing process is easier and faster, but both options require that same information be submitted.
Before filing the document, make sure you have all of the necessary information ready:
- Name and street address of your LLC
- Names and addresses of any members or managers
- Name and mailing address of designated registered agent
- The purpose for forming your business entity
- Whether profits or losses should be distributed among members in accordance with their ownership percentage
- Effective date (if other than day filed)
Once all of this information has been gathered, you can start preparing your Certificate of Formation. You will need to include all the required details for each section as outlined on the form. All Certificates must be approved by the Secretary of State; once accepted, you will receive a Notice or Certificate for Filing confirming official formation of your LLC.
Submit the document to the Secretary of State
After you’ve completed the Kansas LLC Certificate of Formation, your business must submit the form to the Secretary of State’s office. You may submit your paperwork in person, by mail, or by fax.
In-person: Deliver your document to the address listed below during normal business hours:
- Kansas Secretary of State
- Memorial Hall, 1st Floor
- 120 SW 10th Avenue
- Topeka, Kansas 66612-1594
By mail: Depending on the nature of your application and processing time requirements you can send your documents via Certified Mail (return receipt requested), Express Mail (overnight delivery) or mail your application without return receipt services. The address is as follows:
- Kansas Secretary of State
- Business Filings Division
- 420 SW 9th Street
- Lane University Plaza
- Topeka KS 66603-3910
By fax: You can send your certificate of formation by fax to (785) 296 6414. Please double check that all information on the document is legible before submitting it. A $25 fee will be charged for applications submitted by fax.
Create a Kansas Registered Agent
Creating a registered agent in Kansas is an essential step in forming an LLC and safeguarding your personal information. A registered agent is the individual or entity designated to receive legal notices on behalf of the LLC. This agent can be either a person or a business entity, depending on the state laws.
Kansas has specific regulations for registering an LLC and selecting a registered agent, so it is important to understand the requirements and follow the process carefully.
Identify a registered agent
A registered agent is a person or organization appointed by a business to receive legal documents such as service of process (SOP) in the event of a lawsuit or other legal action, as required by law. A business must have a registered agent in each state in which it conducts business, including Kansas. The registered agent is responsible for accepting SOP from the state and forwarding any documentation on to the business in a timely manner.
When selecting your registered agent in Kansas, there are several requirements to keep in mind:
- The individual listed must be 18 years of age or older and must reside in the state or be a domestic or foreign corporation authorized to do business within the state;
- The address listed on form KAR – 1 must be an official physical address within State;
- The individual’s first name, last name and street address must all be included on form KAR – 1;
- The individual named as your Registered Agent must agree to accept service of process (SOP) on behalf of your company.
To create a Kansas Registered Agent, you will need to file Form KAR-1 with the Secretary of State’s Office. The KAR-1 will require you to list your business information (i.e., business name, address etc.) as well as provide information regarding who will serve as Registered Agent for your company (i.e., their name and address). Once you have submitted the form and paid any associated filing fees, you will then be officially recognized as having created a Kansas Registered Agent for your company.
File a Statement of Registered Agent
When you register your LLC in Kansas, you must appoint a registered agent to receive service of process notices (lawsuits) on behalf of the company. The Statement of Registered Agent is the form required for filing this appointment with the state.
The statement must be signed by all designated members and include the following information:
- Name and address of the business
- Name, address and signature of registered agent
- Signature, title and date
- Name of all LLC members and their signatures if applicable
Once you have filled out the form, mail it to the Secretary of State. You will be notified when your appointment has been accepted by email or regular mail. You can also check to see if your application has been processed through the Kansas Business Center at ksbusinesscenter.org/search/.
Additional requirements may apply depending on how you choose to organize your business. Please consult with a professional legal advisor for personalized advice on forming an LLC in Kansas.
Obtain an EIN
Obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a necessary step in starting a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Kansas. An EIN is used to identify a business entity and is similar to a Social Security Number. An EIN is required to open a bank account, file taxes, and hire employees.
Before you can obtain an EIN, you must first register your business with the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office.
Apply for an EIN online
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is required if you are starting a business in Kansas and want to operate as an LLC. An EIN is issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is used to identify your business for tax purposes. It enables the IRS to track and monitor any income, deductions and tax liabilities of the LLC.
To apply for an EIN online, you will first need to create an online account with the IRS. After completing the setup process, click “Apply Online Now” under the Engine Number section on the IRS homepage. Once you select “Start or Make Changes to Your Entity” from the drop down menu and “Liability Company” from another drop-down menu, fill out all required fields before submitting your application. Keep in mind that you’ll have to provide detailed information about yourself, your LLC and its members or partners; this includes names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security Numbers (SSNs), driver’s license numbers, bank account information and more. Once everything has been entered correctly into each field on the application form, submit it for review by clicking “Submit Application.”
After submitting your application online it will generally take anywhere from 15 minutes–3 days for all of your documents to be reviewed and accepted by the IRS; once approved you will be issued a nine-digit number called Federal Employer Identification Number which is specific only to your LLC as a unique entity or entity of identity recognized by law in order to conduct business or other activities compliantly under federal tax regulations for LLCs in Kansas. You should use this EIN every time when filing taxes so that you can track all income as well as liability associated with it accurately over time.
Obtain a Kansas Tax ID
In Kansas, businesses must register with the Secretary of State in order to conduct business transactions. This includes getting a tax ID number, also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
To obtain a Kansas Tax ID, you must first complete a state application for registration form. Once your application form is approved and you have obtained an EIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you will receive a confirmation email from the Kansas Department of Revenue. The confirmation email will provide information about your state’s filing requirements and will include your new EIN number. You can start using this number immediately to begin conducting business transactions within the state of Kansas.
In addition to applying for an EIN through the IRS, businesses must also register with the Department of Revenue in order to be able to collect sales tax on any goods sold within Kansas’s borders. This process requires that businesses submit their EIN along with other required documents. Once all documents are received and approved, businesses will be assigned a Sales Tax Registration Number which they can use when conducting any business dealings in which they must collect sales tax from customers or vendors.
Comply with Other Requirements
Starting a limited liability company (LLC) in Kansas requires that you take a few extra steps to comply with state regulations. This includes completing necessary paperwork, obtaining the necessary business licenses, and paying fees. It’s important to understand these requirements before starting the process of setting up your LLC.
In this section, we’ll go over the specifics of what is required to start an LLC in Kansas:
File an Annual Report
An LLC registered in Kansas must file an annual report with the Secretary of State, typically due on the 15th day of the fourth month following the end of your fiscal year. If a business first forms and registers in Kansas on or after July 1 of any year, the filing date for this annual report is waived for that initial year. The fee for filing an LLC’s annual report online is $40.00 in 2020, and paper filings require a $45 filing fee.
It is important to remain current with each annual report, as failure to file can lead to fines, penalties or even dissolution of the company. For further information and assistance regarding corporate records, please contact the Business Filings Department within the Office of Secretary of State at 785-296-4564 between 8:00am and 5:00pm CST.
Comply with Kansas Employment Laws
Businesses and employers in Kansas are required to comply with Kansas Employment Security laws, related occupational safety and health regulations, other state and federal laws, and local ordinances. The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) enforces the state’s employment laws, which cover a variety of topics including worker safety, discrimination in the workplace and wages.
Employers must also comply with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. In addition to Title VII requirements, businesses should ensure they are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which protects qualified individuals with disabilities from any form of discrimination or mistreatment. Requirements for employers under the ADA include providing reasonable accommodations for employees who need them based on medical considerations or disabilities.
Other federal laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) impose wage and hour requirements on most employers covered by its jurisdiction. The FLSA establishes minimum wage protections as well as rules related to overtime pay and time off for holiday work.
The KDOL requires Kansas employers to offer workers compensation insurance coverage for their employees in case a workplace injury occurs that requires medical treatment or leaves an employee too injured to return to work. Employers must also provide their employees with unemployment insurance coverage through KDOL’s Unemployment Insurance Program so that laid-off employees can continue to receive financial support while searching for new jobs. By complying with these state labor laws, businesses maintain legal compliance while taking care of their workers’ interests at the same time.
Obtain Business Licenses and Permits
It is important that you take the time to research and obtain the business licenses and permits required by your state or city in order to operate your business. The types of licenses and permits you may need to obtain will depend on the nature of your business, including where you operate, any special services or products offered, as well as the laws in your area.
Depending on where you are located, you may be obligated to:
- Register your business name.
- Pay fees for activities such as occupational licenses or permits (for restaurants or retail businesses).
- File a tax return each year.
- Acquire a certificate of occupancy (for brick-and-mortar locations).
- Register with local agencies to collect sales tax.
- Acquire emissions testing certification (for vehicle-related businesses).
It is essential that business owners understand their local regulations concerning required permits and licenses. You should also review industry-specific permit requirements in areas of health and safety (though most industries prefer voluntary certifications). Label all hazardous materials properly and check with government agencies if an environmental certification relating to waste disposal activities is applicable. Additionally, be aware of labor laws related to minimum wage requirements and other benefits that should be provided for employees.
Once familiar with your local regulations concerning required permits before setting up operations can help ensure that you stay compliant with those rules throughout its life cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an LLC?
A: An LLC (limited liability company) is a legal entity that provides limited liability protection to its owners, known as members. It is a type of business structure that combines the pass-through taxation of a partnership with the limited liability of a corporation.
Q: How do I start an LLC in Kansas?
A: To start an LLC in Kansas, you must file Articles of Organization with the Kansas Secretary of State. The articles must include the LLC’s name, address, registered agent, length of existence, and other required information. You must also pay a filing fee.
Q: What are the benefits of forming an LLC in Kansas?
A: Forming an LLC in Kansas offers limited liability protection to its owners, meaning that owners are typically not responsible for the debts and liabilities of the LLC. Additionally, LLCs offer pass-through taxation, meaning that the LLC does not pay taxes; instead, the profits and losses pass through to the LLC owners who pay taxes on their individual tax returns.