Ultimate Kansas Sales Tax Guide

Collecting sales tax in Kansas can seem daunting, but it's critical to running a compliant and successful business.

In this Kansas sales tax guide, we’ll explain how to calculate sales tax for counties and cities across the state and explore your eligibility to collect sales tax. 

We'll also introduce a trusted solution to ensure compliance and a streamlined sales tax process from start to finish.

Kansas Sales Tax Rate Range 2025

Kansas's state sales tax rate is 6.5%. Additionally, counties, cities, and districts can levy local sales taxes. 

For instance, Elsmore in Allen County has a tax rate of 7.75%. This includes a state sales tax rate of 6.5% and a local sales tax rate of 1.25%.

How to Calculate Sales Tax in Kansas

To calculate your sales tax accurately in Kansas, you’ll have to add these rates:

• State sales tax
• County sales tax
• City sales tax

For instance, let's calculate the sales tax rate of Mapleton, Bourbon County:

• Kansas sales tax rate of 6.5%
• Bourbon County sales tax of 1.4%
• Mapleton city sales tax rate of 1%

This brings the total sales tax rate to 8.9%.

Find your city here for a detailed overview of its sales tax rates.

Sales Tax Rates in Kansas by County

Next, let’s see how you can collect sales tax in Kansas.

Collecting Kansas Sales Tax from Customers

Let’s explore how you can collect Kansas state sales tax.

Do I Have to Collect Kansas Sales Tax from Customers?

In general, sales tax in Kansas is due on transactions where you: 

• Rent, sell, or lease out tangible personal property, including the sale or furnishing of utilities in Kansas;
• Charge for labor services to install, apply, repair, service, alter, or maintain tangible personal property; or
• Sell admissions to amusement and entertainment services, including admissions to state, county, district, and local fairs.

What Creates Sales Tax Nexus in Kansas?

You have sales tax nexus in Kansas if you meet one of the following conditions:

• Economic Nexus: Out-of-state businesses whose gross sales in Kansas exceed $100,000 in the current or previous year. 
• Physical Nexus: Businesses with an office or warehouse in Kansas. 
• Delivery: Businesses that use company vehicles or contract carriers other than interstate common carriers to deliver products in the state.
• Employees: Businesses that have sales or service representatives in the state.

Learn more about sales tax nexus and when you’re required to collect sales tax.

Do I Have to Collect Sales Tax from Kansas Customers if I Sell on Amazon, Walmart, eBay, or Etsy?

No. 

Kansas has a marketplace facilitator law. This means marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon should collect sales tax on behalf of third-party sellers on their platforms. A marketplace facilitator who doesn’t meet the $100,000 threshold doesn’t have to register, collect, and remit Kansas tax.

But if you have sales tax nexus in Kansas, you still need to collect sales tax on your other non-marketplace Kansas sales.

Taxable Products in Kansas

The state of Kansas imposes a sales tax on most tangible personal property and services, including groceries. 

Here’s a detailed run-down of the items taxed in Kansas.

Are Groceries Taxable in Kansas? 

Yes. Grocery items are taxable in Kansas. However, from January 1, 2024, Kansas reduced the state sales and use tax rate on food, ingredients, and certain prepared foods to 2%.

Qualifying taxpayers will receive a nonrefundable tax credit on their federal income tax return to offset sales tax paid on food. If you do not have a tax liability, you cannot claim the credit.

Note: The state plans to reduce the state sales tax on groceries to 0% by January 1, 2025.

Is Clothing Taxable in Kansas?

Yes, clothing is subject to sales tax in Kansas.

Are Digital Products Taxable in Kansas?

Kansas doesn’t usually tax electronic downloads of digital products, like movies, music, or videos. But if these products are sold in a tangible medium such as a CD, DVD, or paper, they are taxable.

Is Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Taxable in Kansas?

Kansas does not tax a database provider’s charges that allow a customer to electronically access information on the provider’s remote database. While the state has not issued direct guidance on the taxability of SaaS, Kansas has indicated that specific electronic services that  provide general or current information are tax exempt.

SaaS is an electronic service that often provides general or current information. Therefore, indirect guidance suggests that SaaS is exempt from sales tax in Kansas.  

Are Services Taxable in Kansas?

Kansas sales tax applies only to services such as installing, applying, altering, repairing, servicing, or maintaining tangible personal property.

Tax-Exempt Items

Some items that enjoy sales tax exemption in Kansas are:

• Ingredients or component parts, like paper and ink for publishing newspapers, that are part of a finished product to be sold to the final consumer.
• Aircraft sales, parts, and repair services for aircraft used in interstate or foreign commerce.
• Drugs and pharmaceuticals sold to veterinarians. 
• Medical supplies and durable medical equipment purchased by a nonprofit skilled nursing home. 
• Machinery and equipment for farming.
• Seeds, chemicals, and services purchased to prevent soil erosion on agricultural land.

How to Register for a Kansas Sales Tax Permit

You can register for a sales tax permit online via the Department of Revenue website. You can also register offline by submitting the Business Tax Application. 

Learn how to register for a seller's permit in every US state.

Do I Need a Kansas Sales Tax License if I’m Only a Wholesaler? 

Sales to wholesalers and other non-final consumers are exempt from sales tax but must be supported by a valid exemption certificate.

Do I Need a Kansas Seller's Permit if I Only Sell Temporarily in the State?

Yes. Kansas requires anyone who sells taxable products and services to register, collect, and submit sales tax, even if it’s just once a year.

Free Download: 2025 Sales Tax Outlook

Sales tax is difficult to juggle with new changes made every year. That’s why we put together a 2025 Sales Tax Outlook with all the changes you need to ensure your business stays compliant.

Get the Guide

How to Collect Sales Tax in Kansas

Kansas is a destination-based sales tax sourcing state. 

This means that when you make a taxable retail sale to a customer in Kansas, you must apply the sales tax rate based on the buyer’s shipping address.

Should You Collect Sales Tax on Shipping Charges in Kansas?

To be excluded from sales tax, delivery charges must be separately and clearly listed as delivery, transmission, or transportation charges on the invoice, bill of sale, or similar document provided to the buyer. 

Find out more about sales tax on shipping in every state in the United States.

How to File and Pay Sales Tax in Kansas

There are multiple ways to file and pay sales tax in Kansas:

• File online: Use the Kansas Department of Revenue Customer Service Center to file single and multiple jurisdiction sales and use tax returns.
• File by mail: You can use Form ST-36 for multiple jurisdiction filers and file and pay through the mail.
• Let Zamp handle your Kansas sales tax filing and remittance so you won’t have to deal with sales tax returns ever again! 

Explore how you can file and pay sales tax in other US states.

FAQs on Paying and Filing Kansas Sales Tax

What Is Use Tax?

Use Tax is charged on items purchased from other states and used in Kansas without paying sales tax or when the other state's tax rate is lower than Kansas's 6.50%. 

This tax helps protect Kansas businesses by preventing out-of-state retailers from offering goods tax-free or at lower rates.

I Didn’t Collect any Kansas Sales Tax During this Period. Do I still Need to File a Return?

Yes. 

Even if you didn’t collect any sales tax during the taxable period, it's still important to file a "zero" return with the state to stay compliant.

What Is the Penalty for Filing and/or Paying Kansas Sales Tax Late?

If a taxpayer fails to file a return or pay the tax on time, they will incur a penalty of 1% of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month the payment is late, up to a maximum of 24%. 

Interest will also accrue as well starting from the due date until the tax is paid in full. 

Can I Amend a Kansas Sales Tax Return? 

You can amend your return using the same form you originally filed. Don’t forget to include an explanation of the changes and clearly indicate the tax period and location being amended.

How Often Do I Need to File and Pay Sales Tax in Kansas?

Kansas requires businesses to pay sales tax semi-monthly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly, depending on the annual sales tax liability. 

Sales taxes should be paid by the 25th of the month following the end of the

reporting period. If the 25th lands on a weekend or holiday, the due date is the next business day.

Kansas Sales Tax Due Dates

Kansas monthly sales tax filing due dates:

Kansas quarterly sales tax filing due dates:

Kansas annual sales tax filing due date:

Let The Experts Handle Your Kansas Sales Tax Filing

Growing your business should be exciting, not stressful, due to sales tax complexities. With Zamp, you don't have to worry about that.

We are a premium solution offering seamless onboarding, accurate tax calculations, and effortless one-click registration and filing – for both large and small business owners. 

Ready for streamlined sales tax management? Get started with Zamp today!

About the author

The Zamp Team

The Zamp Team consists of experienced writers and editors who are dedicated to researching sales tax topics to help readers make smart decisions about their business and sales tax compliance. Collectively, the team has over 200 years of sales tax experience.