Occupation Taxes
Known by about a dozen different terms across the country, what is most commonly acknowledged or referred to as a Business License is a bit of a misnomer. A License usually entails some regulatory control over a specific activity or pre-qualifying criteria, credentials, or testing to engage in the activity (for example, possessing the educational qualifications to be a massage therapist or being old enough to operate a drinking establishment). While there may be associated inspections and approvals for where a business may operate, most business activities do not face regulatory oversight.
All entities engaging in a business activity in Kansas City, KS, do need to register and file the occupation tax application. In addition to the occupation tax, some business activities also require a regulatory license or permit.
The Unified Government charges an occupation tax for business within our jurisdiction, regardless of physical location.
Some businesses are exempt by ordinance within specific criteria, including but not limited to businesses individually operated by a blind person, attorneys for the occupation of attorney, agricultural growers for products grown and sold within the state, Milk product production, Motor Vehicle fuel sales, Organizations operated wholly for charitable, religious, benevolent, fraternal, civic, educational- from which profit is not derived by any individual, Organizations qualified by the I.R.S. as 501(c)3. Exempt entities still file with our office under the qualifying exemption Sec. 34-37 Exemptions.
The occupation tax ordinance is based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, which the Federal government designs to classify and describe every imaginable business type. The Unified Government occupation tax ordinance assigns an annual fee to each of these codes based on one of several possible factors, with examples below.
Square Footage
All retail, wholesale, manufacturing, processing, and warehousing businesses are assessed a fee based on the physical size of their facility.
Number of Employees
Banks, insurance agencies, security guard services, employment agencies, engineering firms, and others are assessed a fee based on the number of people they employ or credentialed professionals.
Flat Fee
Construction, Building Services, Educational, Support, and Technical services are assessed flat fees prescribed by the ordinance.
Number of Units
Taxi/Livery services, automobile tow services, hotels and motels, trash removal services, and several other businesses are assessed a fee based on the number of units operated or controlled by them.
Business Entity Types & Activities
No Prior Business Record in KCK
If your business is located in Kansas City, KS, then you will need to first fill out a zoning application.
All businesses physically located in KCK must register annually and pay an Occupation Tax as long as the business exists, unless specifically exempted by ordinance.
- For business being conducted from a commercial location, you will need to fill out the Commercial Zoning Application(PDF, 99KB) . Once you receive zoning approval, you will need to contact our Building Inspection team at 913-573-8620 to schedule your zoning inspection. Once you successfully complete your zoning inspection, you will fill out the (PDF, 159KB)occupation tax application(PDF, 159KB) . Submitting your application can be done via e-mail at businesslicense@wycokck.org, dropped off in person or mailed to our office at 4953 State Ave Kansas City, KS 66102.
- For business being conducted from a residence, you will need to submit a Home Occupied Zoning Application(PDF, 16KB). Once your zoning is approved, you will fill out the (PDF, 159KB)occupation tax application(PDF, 159KB) (PDF, 159KB). Submitting your application can be done via e-mail at businesslicense@wycokck.org, dropped off in person or mailed to our office at 4953 State Ave Kansas City, KS 66102.
Businesses not located in, but engaged in business activities in KCK, must register and pay an Occupation Tax for work being conducted in the city, unless specifically exempted by ordinance.
All businesses physically located in KCK must register annually and pay an Occupation Tax as long as the business exists, unless specifically exempted by ordinance.
- For business being conducted from a commercial location, you will need to fill out the Commercial Zoning Application(PDF, 99KB) . Once you receive zoning approval, you will need to contact our Building Inspection team at 913-573-8620 to schedule your zoning inspection. Once you successfully pass your zoning inspection, you will fill out the (PDF, 159KB)occupation tax application(PDF, 159KB) . Submitting your application can be done via e-mail at businesslicense@wycokck.org, dropped off in person or mailed to our office at 4953 State Ave Kansas City, KS 66102.
- For business being conducted from a residence, you will need to submit a home occupied zoning application(PDF, 16KB). Once you receive your zoning approval, you will fill out the occupation tax application(PDF, 159KB). Submitting your application can be done via e-mail at businesslicense@wycokck.org, dropped off in person or mailed to our office at 4953 State Ave Kansas City, KS 66102.
Businesses not located in, but engaged in business activities in KCK, must register and pay an Occupation Tax for work being conducted in the city, unless specifically exempted by ordinance.
Additional requirements
The following special trade contractors will need to submit a $5000 surety bond. If you don't currently have a surety bond through your insurance company, you can use our face sheets below. Please ensure you're submitted a signed face sheet along with the power of attorney page to businesslicense@wycokck.org.