All businesses operating in Kansas City, Missouri must have a business license, regardless of size or type (including corporations, partnerships, sole proprietors, and associations).

Exceptions: 

• State-Licensed Professionals: Certain state-licensed professionals (e.g., doctors, dentists, attorneys) are exempt. 🔗 View the full list of exempt professions
• Hotels & Restaurants: These require a Convention and Tourism Certificate instead of a standard business license (a business license is required for any goods sold)

Yes. If your business operates within Kansas City, MO (even if located elsewhere), a business license is required. 

Yes. If your business operates within Kansas City, MO, a business license is required. You may also be responsible for collecting and/or paying other local City taxes.

You are still required to file and pay the license fee, even with no gross receipts.

Navigate to Quick Tax and create a user account:

 

Next, register your business(es) under your Quick Tax user account:

All business license filings must be submitted either electronically through Quick Tax or in person at City Hall.

Licenses are valid until December 31. Renewal deadline: Last day in February (60-day grace period)

Note: Fees are not prorated.

Fees are based on the nature of business and is filed either on the RD105 or RD103 form.

Fee Tables for RD 103 and RD105 can be found at: https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/finance/tax-home/tax-forms

Required documents vary by industry.

View our Industry Requirements Guide: https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/finance/tax-home/tax-guides-1087

A late filing penalty of 5% on the amount due shall apply on March 1 of the current year with an additional 5% for each subsequent month until the return is filed (maximum file penalty is 25%). For subsequent months, an additional 5% penalty is charged on the first of each month. For the Reconciliation Section, if the amount of tax decreases this penalty does not apply.

New businesses that have not filed are subject to late filing penalty provisions on the 60th day of business.

A late payment penalty of 5% is due on March 1 of the current year.

Yes. Interest rates are set by RSMo 32.065. Interest is charged on the outstanding tax liability at the applicable monthly rate effective on March 1 of the current year with an additional charge each month until the tax is paid.

Yes.  Estimated gross receipts less than 80% of the actual amount due, unless equal to or exceeding the actual gross receipts for the prior year, will result in an interest charge of 3% per annum or 0.25% per month of the deficiency. These charges are computed from the date of payment of the estimated license fee to the date of payment of the actual fee.

Yes. Businesses with employees working remotely in KCMO may owe Profits Tax, Business License Tax, and Earnings Tax (1% withholding).

Exceptions: 

• If the employee reports to a designated office, a separate business license is not required for their home address.
• If the employee does not generate income for the business (i.e. salesman), there is no requirement to file a profit or earnings return.

Yes, if the property owner actively manages the rental. If a property management company is hired, the management company is required to obtain a business license, not the property owner if all activities are handled by the management company i.e. major repairs.

See our Rental Business Tax Guide: https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/finance/tax-home/tax-guide-for-rental-businesses

Short-term rentals must: 

• Register earning accounts through QuickTax
• Pay 7.5% tax on gross receipts + $3 per night stay

You will receive a Clearance Letter and Notice of Accounts, not a standard business license to show you have registered your tax accounts.

 See our Short-Term Rental Tax Guide: https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/finance/tax-home/tax-guides/tax-guide-for-short-term-rentals

No. This certificate applies only to:

• Hotels/Motels: Subject to a 7.5% tax on sleeping room sales + $3 per room daily.
• Restaurants: Subject to a 2% tax on prepared food, excluding alcoholic beverages.

Returns and payments are due according to the same schedule as Missouri sales taxes. File and pay through QuickTax.

See our Hotel Tax Guide & Restaurant Tax Guide: https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/finance/tax-guide-for-hotels and https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/finance/tax-home/tax-guide-for-restaurants

No, Uber and Lyft are regulated through the State of Missouri. However, you must pay the 1% earnings tax.

See our Ride-Share Tax Guide: https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/finance/tax-home/tax-guide-for-ride-sharing-drivers

Each business must be registered separately in Quick Tax. Use the same user account then register the new entity.

Request the address changes through CompassKC or BizCare, then send the approved zoning clearance letter to business.license@kcmo.gov.

1. File returns electronically through QuickTax.

2. Enter the close date on each return.

3. Submit an account closure form to revenue@kcmo.org.

Apply through CompassKC.

You will need to contact the City of Kansas City's Animal Services Division, which is part of the Neighborhood Services Department.

Phone: (816) 513-1313 or 311

Email: contact@kcpetproject.org