Want to talk through your business plan/idea?

Contact BizCare
816-513-2491
kcbizcare@kcmo.org
bizcare.kcmo.gov

Step 1: Register your Business with the Missouri Secretary of State and Provide the Articles of Incorporation/Certificate of Organization

Missouri Secretary of State: https://bsd.sos.mo.gov/LoginWelcome.aspx?lobID=1&ReturnURL=%7e%2fAccount%2fUpdateAccount.aspx

After completing the steps outlined by the Secretary of State website, you will need to provide the Certificate of Organization. An example is pictured below.

If you have a Doing Business As (dba/name), you must also provide the Registration of Fictitious Name. An example is pictured below. 

Step 2: Obtain a Federal Employers ID Number (FEIN)

All businesses must obtain a Federal Employers ID Number (FEIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), unless you are a sole proprietor, using your social security number on behalf of your business. 

Apply for a federal employer identification number (FEIN)

Questions? 
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
800-829-4933

Step 3: Apply for a Zoning Clearance Permit 

A zoning clearance permit is required for all businesses physically located within the city limits of Kansas City, Missouri. Each business location within city limits requires this permit. More information about Zoning Clearances.

To apply for the permit, navigate to CompassKC

• Select "Apply"
• Type in "Zoning Clearance"
• Follow the instructions (Note: You must be logged in or create an account first.)

See below for a picture example of the finalized Zoning Clearance form that will need to be provided to the Business License Office:

Questions?
City Planning & Development
414 E 12th St, 5th Floor
816-513-1500

Step 4: Create a QuickTax Account

 Create a QuickTax Account

Need help creating your account? Check out this How-To Video.

After creating your QuickTax profile, you then need to register your business entity by clicking "need to register a new business." If you are an existing business, you will click "already have a Kansas City, Mo tax account."

Questions?
KCMO Business License Office
414 E 12th St, 1st Floor
816-513-1120
business.license@kcmo.org

All annual renewals must be submitted online through QuickTax. Business License annual renewals are due by the last day of February.

Check out these how-to videos for renewing RD-103 or RD-105 for your business license renewal depending on your industry. If you're not sure which form to renew, contact the Business License Office (816-513-1120, option 3 or business.license@kcmo.org). 

Please keep in mind, all businesses are required to complete the RD-108 Profit and Earnings tax form through QuickTax annually. You can file a six month extension by filling out Form RD-111/112 through QuickTax. Be advised, depending on your type of business, other tax types may be required.

 For questions about taxes, please contact the Revenue Division (816-513-1120, option 1 or revenue@kcmo.org).

Effective January 1, 2026, additional documentation will be required to renew existing business licenses if the business owns, uses, or leases tangible assets in its operations (excluding real estate and buildings). In such cases, applicants must include a Business Personal Property Tax Receipt. The counties handle the administration of business personal property taxes. Therefore, to obtain a receipt or to register or pay the required property taxes, please contact or visit the applicable county websites to obtain information.

Jackson                               https://mo-jackson.publicaccessnow.com
Platte County:                  https://www.plattecountycollector.com/
Clay                                       https://collector.claycountymo.gov/
Cass County:                     https://www.casscounty.com/

The Business Personal Property Tax Receipt is not required for personal vehicles or personal property. It is only required for business vehicles, business property, or any assets owned or operated by the business. If you have any questions, please reach out to the county in which the assets are located.

If you have retail sales within the city limits of Kansas City, Missouri, you will need a Missouri Sales Tax Number from the Missouri Department of Revenue. 

Missouri DOR Registration Requirements

Missouri Tax Registration Application

Questions?
Missouri Department of Revenue
573-751-3505

Construction companies must provide one of the following with their business license application:

• Certificate of Insurance/Liability listing Workers Compensation and Employers' Liability for companies with more than 5 employees
• Form RD-WC (Exemption for companies with 5 or fewer employees)

The Certificate of Insurance (or Certificate of Liability) can be requested from your business's insurance company. The business name must match the name registered with the state.

All food establishments must have a Health Permit

Submit a Food Establishment Permit Application

or 

Submit a Food Permit for Mobile Units, Catering, Farmers Markets (and Similar Vendors)

Questions?
Health Department
2400 Troost Ave, Ste 3000
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-513-6315

All security guard services and private investigator businesses must have a Private Security License.

Apply for a Private Security License

Questions? 
Kansas City Police Department
Private Officers Licensing Unit
635 Woodland Ave, Ste 2104
Kansas City, MO 64106
816-889-6600

Short-term rentals (STRs) are the rental of a property, a dwelling unit, or a portion thereof, for a period of less than 30 consecutive days, unless the rental meets the definition of "lodging" or "bed and breakfast." Typically these properties are advertised on applications like AirBnB and VRBO.

Register your short-term rental by applying for a permit on CompassKC. You will need to specify whether you are a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, or a non-resident. For more assistance, reference our Short-Term Rental Guide. 

After applying for your permit, register each property location in QuickTax.

Please be advised, as of August of 2023, all short-term rentals will be assessed a 7.5% tax on gross revenue and an additional $3 fee per night. You will need to file this information within QuickTax. At this time, many booking platforms like AirBnB and VRBO are not withholding this tax, so you will need to collect and remit taxes due.

Questions about STR Permitting? 
Kansas City Neighborhoods Department
414 E 12th St, 4th Floor
Kansas City, MO 64106
816-513-3226
str@kcmo.org
https://www.kcmo.gov/programs-initiatives/str
https://bizcare.kcmo.gov/short-term-rental-guide

Receive an updated Certificate of Organization from the Missouri Secretary of State: https://bsd.sos.mo.gov/LoginWelcome.aspx?lobID=1&ReturnURL=%7e%2fAccount%2fUpdateAccount.aspx

If you obtain a new Federal Employee ID Number (FEIN), you will need to add this as a new business to your existing Quick Tax User Account. Don't forget to close out the former, inactive account by filling out the RD-CLS form. You will still be required to file a final return. For questions, contact the Revenue Division (816-513-1120, business.license@kcmo.org, revenue@kcmo.org). 

After completing the steps outlined by the Secretary of State website, you will need to provide the Certificate of Organization. An example is pictured below.

Questions?
State of Missouri, Secretary of State
615 E 13th St, 5th Floor, Rm 508B
Kansas City, MO 64106
816-889-2925

Apply for a Zoning Clearance Permit. More information about Zoning Clearances.

Navigate to CompassKC

• Select "Apply"
• Type in "Zoning Clearance"
• Follow the instructions (Note: You must be logged in or create an account first.)

Questions?
City Planning and Development Department
414 E 12th St, 5th Floor
816-513-1500