Kansas Articles of Incorporation
Kansas articles of incorporation form a corporation by filing Form AI with the Secretary of State for $85 online, setting the name, agent, and shares. Attorney review available.
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Introduction
Kansas repealed its corporate franchise tax for tax years beginning after December 31, 2010, so a corporation formed here pays none; that corporation becomes a separate legal entity when you file the Articles of Incorporation - General Corporation (Form AI) with the Kansas Secretary of State. Filing brings the corporation into existence so it can own property, sign contracts, and give its owners limited liability for the debts of the business. Kansas law requires the articles to set forth the corporation name, the registered office in Kansas and the resident agent at that address, a statement of purpose, and the authorized capital stock (K.S.A. 17-6002). The filing fee paid to the Secretary of State is $85 when filed online, or $90 by paper. The resident agent named in the articles must have a registered office in Kansas and agree to receive legal papers for the corporation. Kansas repealed its corporate franchise tax, so it does not apply for tax years beginning after December 31, 2010, and corporations do not file or pay a Kansas franchise tax. After formation, the corporation must file a business entity information report every two years; for a for-profit corporation the report is due not later than April 15, with a $100 fee online or $110 by paper (K.S.A. 17-7503). DocDraft builds your Kansas articles of incorporation from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.
Key Things to Know
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Kansas uses the Articles of Incorporation - General Corporation (Form AI), filed with the Secretary of State, to bring a corporation into existence as a separate legal entity.
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You file the articles with the Kansas Secretary of State and pay an $85 fee when filing online, or $90 by paper. The Secretary of State is the filing office for forming a Kansas corporation.
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Kansas requires the articles to set forth the corporation name, the registered office in Kansas and the resident agent at that address, a statement of purpose, and the authorized capital stock (K.S.A. 17-6002).
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The resident agent named in the articles must have a registered office in Kansas and agree to accept legal papers for the corporation. Kansas uses the term resident agent for what many states call a registered agent (K.S.A. 17-6002).
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Kansas repealed its corporate franchise tax, so it does not apply for tax years beginning after December 31, 2010. Kansas corporations do not file or pay a state franchise tax.
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The corporation must file a business entity information report every two years; for a for-profit corporation the report is due not later than April 15, with a $100 fee online or $110 by paper (K.S.A. 17-7503).
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Articles of incorporation form a corporation. To form a Kansas limited liability company you file articles of organization instead, and corporate bylaws are a separate internal document the corporation keeps rather than files.
Key decisions before you file
Before you file a Articles of Incorporation in Kansas, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Articles of Incorporation guide walks through them.
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Kansas Requirements for Articles of Incorporation
File Form AI With the Secretary of State
A Kansas corporation is formed by filing the Articles of Incorporation - General Corporation (Form AI) with the Kansas Secretary of State. The filing fee is $85 online or $90 by paper. The corporation legally exists once the Secretary of State files the articles.
Corporate Name With a Designator
The corporation name in the articles must include a word such as Corporation, Incorporated, Company, or Limited, or an abbreviation, and must be distinguishable from other entities on file with the Kansas Secretary of State (K.S.A. 17-6002).
Statement of Purpose
Kansas articles include a purpose statement, which may state that the purpose is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Kansas general corporation code (K.S.A. 17-6002).
Registered Office and Resident Agent
The articles must state the postal address of the registered office in Kansas and the name of the resident agent at that address. Kansas uses the term resident agent for what many states call a registered agent (K.S.A. 17-6002).
Authorized Capital Stock
If the corporation is to issue capital stock, the articles must state the total number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue and the classes of shares (K.S.A. 17-6002).
Business Entity Information Report
The corporation must file a business entity information report every two years; for a for-profit corporation it is due not later than April 15, with a $100 fee online or $110 by paper (K.S.A. 17-7503). Missing it can lead to forfeiture of the registration.
No Corporate Franchise Tax
Kansas repealed its corporate franchise tax, so it does not apply for tax years beginning after December 31, 2010. Kansas corporations do not file or pay a state franchise tax, though they remain subject to Kansas corporate income tax.
Corporation Versus LLC
Articles of incorporation form a corporation. To form a Kansas limited liability company you file articles of organization instead. Corporate bylaws are a separate internal document the corporation keeps rather than files with the state.