Kansas Sales Tax Registration

In Kansas it is called the Retailers' Sales Tax Registration Certificate. The Kansas Department of Revenue issues it.

Who has to register in Kansas, how to apply, what it costs, how long it takes, and what you file once you have it.

Kansas sales tax registration at a glance

What it is called: Retailers' Sales Tax Registration Certificate; Number issued: Kansas sales tax registration (account) number (004-XXXXXXXXXF-0X: tax type 004, the FEIN (or an 8-digit K or A number) followed by F, then a 2-digit suffix, e.g. 004-481880059F-01).
Who issues it: Kansas Department of Revenue; Apply online through KDOR Customer Service Center (KCSC). Paper form: Form CR-16.
State fee: No state fee; No fee and no bond at initial registration for sales and use tax. KDOR may require a bond later. (Cigarette retailer licenses and vending permits carry separate fees.)
Processing time: 2 to 3 business days; KDOR asks for 2 to 3 business days to process online applications and 2 to 3 weeks for mailed or faxed applications, and recommends applying 3 to 4 weeks before the start date. Online filers get a confirmation number and account number at the end of the application. In-person registration by appointment gives same-day service.
Remote seller threshold: $100,000 in sales; Measurement period: current or preceding calendar year. In effect since July 1, 2021.
Filing frequency: Monthly, quarterly or annual by annual tax liability; $0 to $1,000 a year: annual. $1,000.01 to $5,000: quarterly. Over $5,000: monthly. Seasonal businesses file monthly during their operating period.
State rate: 6.5%; City taxes up to 3% and county taxes up to 1% (local rates range from 0.10% to 3%); state rate on food and food ingredients is 0% since Jan. 1, 2025, but local rates still apply to food.

How to register in Kansas

Where to apply: Apply online with the Kansas Department of Revenue. KDOR Customer Service Center (KCSC)
Application form: Form CR-16, Business Tax Application (instructions in Pub. KS-1216). Form CR-16 (PDF)
What you need: FEIN where applicable; corporations and LLCs can register with the Secretary of State through the same KDOR Customer Service Center. Each owner, partner or officer must sign the paper application.
What the application covers: Retailers' sales tax, retailers' compensating use tax, consumers' compensating use tax, withholding tax, transient guest tax, liquor drink tax and cigarette and tobacco licenses.
How long it takes: KDOR asks for 2 to 3 business days to process online applications and 2 to 3 weeks for mailed or faxed applications, and recommends applying 3 to 4 weeks before the start date. Online filers get a confirmation number and account number at the end of the application. In-person registration by appointment gives same-day service.
What it costs: No fee and no bond at initial registration for sales and use tax. KDOR may require a bond later. (Cigarette retailer licenses and vending permits carry separate fees.)
Renewal: The registration is valid until canceled at the owner's request or revoked by the Director of Taxation for failure to file or pay, or to post a bond on request.

After you register

How often you file: Monthly, quarterly or annual by annual tax liability. $0 to $1,000 a year: annual. $1,000.01 to $5,000: quarterly. Over $5,000: monthly. Seasonal businesses file monthly during their operating period.
Due date: 25th of the month after the period (annual returns due January 25).
Periods with no sales: You still file a return for every period, even with no sales.
Rates and sourcing: The state rate is 6.5%. City taxes up to 3% and county taxes up to 1% (local rates range from 0.10% to 3%); state rate on food and food ingredients is 0% since Jan. 1, 2025, but local rates still apply to food. Sourcing: destination. The combined rate where the customer takes delivery or the service is performed.
Late returns: 1% of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month the return or payment is late, up to 24%, plus interest.

Kansas rules in plain English

In Kansas, the sales tax permit is a Retailers' Sales Tax Registration Certificate. The Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) issues it. You can apply online through the KDOR Customer Service Center, or file the Business Tax Application, Form CR-16, by mail or fax. There is no fee, and no bond is required at first registration. KDOR may ask for a bond later. Online applications take about 2 to 3 business days. Paper applications take 2 to 3 weeks, so KDOR suggests applying 3 to 4 weeks before you open. The certificate does not expire. It stays valid until you cancel it or KDOR revokes it. KDOR sets your filing frequency by your yearly tax. Up to $1,000 a year files annually, up to $5,000 quarterly, and more than that monthly. Returns are due on the 25th of the month after the period. The state rate is 6.5%, plus city and county taxes based on where the buyer takes delivery. Kansas also taxes many repair and installation services. Remote sellers must register within 30 days of passing $100,000 in Kansas sales in a calendar year. The mistake to avoid: skipping a return because you had no sales. KDOR requires a return every period, even when you report zero tax.

Sources: Kansas Department of Revenue · KDOR Customer Service Center (KCSC) · Form CR-16 (PDF)

More Kansas facts

Since Jan. 1, 2025, the Kansas state sales tax rate on food and food ingredients is 0%; local sales taxes still apply to food. Source
Kansas taxes labor services to install, apply, repair, service, alter or maintain tangible personal property, such as auto repair and commercial remodeling. Source
Prewritten computer software is taxable in Kansas; customized software is exempt. Source
Kansas participates in the Streamlined Sales Tax Project and uses destination sourcing. Source
In-person registration at the KDOR assistance center, by appointment, provides same-day registration. Source

We register you in Kansas

Answer a few questions about your business. We prepare your Kansas Retailers' Sales Tax Registration Certificate application, file it with KDOR, and send you the number. $199 per state. Any state fee is separate.

Start my Kansas registration

Kansas sales tax registration FAQ

Do I need to register for Kansas sales tax?

Anyone who sells goods or admissions or provides taxable services in Kansas, including taxable labor services such as repair and remodeling of commercial property, must register; pure wholesalers do not need a sales tax number. Sellers with no physical presence must register after $100,000 in sales in Kansas (measurement period: current or preceding calendar year).

How long does it take to get a Kansas Retailers' Sales Tax Registration Certificate?

KDOR asks for 2 to 3 business days to process online applications and 2 to 3 weeks for mailed or faxed applications, and recommends applying 3 to 4 weeks before the start date. Online filers get a confirmation number and account number at the end of the application. In-person registration by appointment gives same-day service. Source: Pub. KS-1216.

What does a Kansas Retailers' Sales Tax Registration Certificate cost?

No fee and no bond at initial registration for sales and use tax. KDOR may require a bond later. (Cigarette retailer licenses and vending permits carry separate fees.). Source: Pub. KS-1216 (Rev. 9-11-25), Required Bonds and Fees. Our fee to prepare and file the application is $199.

When do I file Kansas sales tax returns?

Filing frequency: monthly, quarterly or annual by annual tax liability. $0 to $1,000 a year: annual. $1,000.01 to $5,000: quarterly. Over $5,000: monthly. Seasonal businesses file monthly during their operating period. Due date: 25th of the month after the period (annual returns due January 25). File a return every period, even with no sales. Source: Pub. KS-1510.

Do I need to register in Kansas as a remote seller?

Sellers with no physical presence must register after $100,000 in sales in Kansas (measurement period: current or preceding calendar year). Since July 1, 2021 (2021 S.B. 50), a marketplace facilitator with over $100,000 in Kansas sales, including facilitated sales, must register within 30 days and collect on all Kansas sales it facilitates (KDOR Notice 21-14; Pub. KS-1510). Source: K.S.A. 79-3702(h)(1)(G); KDOR Notice 21-17; Pub. KS-1510.

What happens if I sell in Kansas without a Kansas Retailers' Sales Tax Registration Certificate?

It is unlawful to sell at retail or furnish taxable services without a registration certificate. Violations of the sales tax act carry, on conviction, a fine of $500 to $10,000, county jail of one to six months, or both. Source: K.S.A. 79-3608; K.S.A. 79-3615(h).

Nearby states

This page summarizes Kansas sales tax registration rules for general information and is not tax advice. Confirm current requirements with the Kansas Department of Revenue or your tax adviser. State rules last checked October 2, 2026.