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LLC 101 Guide

Section 1 · Kansas

Starting an LLC in Kansas (2026): 7 Tasks and the 2 Best LLC Services

Mainstay Filing ($199) and KS Registered Agent.org ($199): that is the order of the services we would hire in Kansas in 2026 for setting up an LLC. 7 tasks make up the unit; the state's own price tag is $85, and the information report adds $90.

Prepared by the LLC 101 Guide instructors

Unit overview

Cost at the state office
$85
sos.ks.gov (page read October 2026)
Information report
$90 every 2 years
Deadline wording: 15th day of the 4th month after tax-year-end
What the state collects in three years
$175
Formation, reports and any minimum tax
Tasks
7
From first to last

What this unit teaches

  • What Kansas charges to form an LLC and who takes the filing
  • What the agent rule says
  • What you file every year after that
  • Who we would hire to file

The Kansas honor roll

Five published criteria decide the order; read them on how we grade.

Top of the class

1. Mainstay Filing: best for a first year with very little homework

Best overall$199 a year that renews at $199

Mainstay Filing comes out first, and the reason is that the yearly $199 replaces three separate bills (formation, resident agent, information report) with a single one.

Over three years it costs $200 above KS Registered Agent.org, and in return more of the work is handled.

You never file the information report yourself, and only the $90 state fee is added.

What the price covers

  • Formation paperwork handled
  • Resident agent for the whole year
  • Information report filed for you on time
  • The EIN application is part of the price
  • No markup on the state fee

What works

  • $199 a year covers filing, agent and report
  • The renewal holds at $199
  • The EIN application is in the price

What to weigh

  • KS Registered Agent.org renews for $100 less
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Top of the class

2. KS Registered Agent.org: best for a cheap Kansas start

One-state plan$199 to open, $99 a year after year one

KS Registered Agent.org is a solid second-place option: a $199 formation fee, followed by $99 yearly for the agent.

Set aside time for the information report every two years; the price does not cover it.

What the price covers

  • The filing is done for you
  • A year of agent service is part of the price

What works

  • Agent covered in year one
  • $199 to form
  • A small $99 renewal

What to weigh

  • It does not file the information report for you
  • It bills $99 for the EIN task
Visit KS Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2 services, side by side

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2KS Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit KS Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Prices come from each company's own site, opened November 13, 2026. Add the $85 state fee to every row.

Formation in order

  1. Task 1

    Choose the LLC's name

    Do the name search at the Kansas Secretary of State first and the rest of the unit goes smoothly in Kansas.

    If the first name fails, you want another ready.

  2. Task 2

    Get a resident agent in place

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The company itself, a Kansas resident, or a business entity formed in Kansas or authorized to do business there.

    The address has to be a Kansas address where the agent is regularly present. P.O. boxes are not accepted.

    Every service we recommend here can be your resident agent.

    Source: ksrevisor.gov (page read October 2026)

  3. Task 3

    Self-filing versus a service

    Filing on your own costs just the $85 state fee. A service adds $199 and handles the forms; the ranking shows which to choose.

  4. Task 4

    File the Articles of Organization

    Here is the key filing: the Articles of Organization (Form DL) goes to the Kansas Secretary of State with $85 (K.S.A. 17-7673), and that is what creates the company.

    Source: sos.ks.gov (page read October 2026)

  5. Task 5

    Order the LLC's federal tax number

    After Kansas approves the LLC, ask the IRS for an Employer Identification Number; banks and payroll companies want it. Mainstay Filing's yearly price already includes this application.

  6. Task 6

    Prepare the operating agreement

    Think of the operating agreement as the owners' rulebook. Keep it with the company records; the state never asks for it.

  7. Task 7

    Stay in good standing in Kansas

    Once every two years the LLC sends in the information report with $90; it is due 15th day of the 4th month after tax-year-end.

    Source: sos.ks.gov (page read October 2026)

What this unit costs

ItemWho gets paidAmount
Formation feeState office$85
Information reportState office$90 every two years
Paid helpYour service$199 for year one
Three-year state totalState office$175
Three years of state cost equals the filing fee, plus the reports in years two and three, plus any minimum tax. The sources are listed below.

Why Mainstay Filing is first

On assignments the price completes (31% of the grade) won out, with right behind.

KS Registered Agent.org is cheaper, but you would still do the information report yourself.

Check your Kansas answers

What will it cost to register a new LLC with Kansas?

The state wants $85. Service fees among our picks go from $199.

Which form creates the LLC?

The Articles of Organization (Form DL), which you send to the Kansas Secretary of State.

Is a resident agent required?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

What does Kansas require each year?

Calendar note on the information report: $90, filed every two years, timing as the state words it: 15th day of the 4th month after tax-year-end.

Can I form the LLC without a service?

Yes. You pay the state $85 when you file, and the LLC still needs a resident agent.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

Mainstay Filing and KS Registered Agent.org, from highest grade to lowest.

Reading list and sources

  1. Further reading on Kansas Form ILC, Information Report: our unit draws on sos.ks.gov, which we reopened in October 2026 so you can compare it with the original.
  2. Further reading on Kansas report due date: our unit draws on ksrevisor.gov, which we reopened in August 2026 so you can compare it with the original.
  3. Further reading on Kansas Secretary of State, Form DL fee schedule: our unit draws on sos.ks.gov, which we reopened in October 2026 so you can compare it with the original.
  4. Further reading on Kansas formation fee: Filing fee, official source: our unit draws on sos.ks.gov, which we reopened in October 2026 so you can compare it with the original.
  5. Further reading on Kansas registered agent statute: our unit draws on ksrevisor.gov, which we reopened in October 2026 so you can compare it with the original.
  6. Kansas service page of Mainstay Filing, taken on November 13, 2026
  7. pricing page of KS Registered Agent.org, taken on November 13, 2026