Kansas Sales and Use Tax
What is the Kansas sales tax? 6.5%
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The Kansas sales tax rate is currently 6.5%. In Kansas, each county, city and special district
can add sales taxes on top of the state rate.
Taxes in Kansas are destination-based, meaning the Kansas sales tax rate is based, or determined from, the destination location an item is shipped to. This complicates business for retailers who need to have the exact and up-to-date sales tax rate for every shipment they make.
To see a full breakout of Kansas sales tax rates by state, county, city and special district, use our easy Kansas sales tax calculator. After putting in any ZIP code, you can enter a retail price to calculate Kansas sales tax totals.
What is the Kansas use tax?
The Kansas state use tax rate is the same as the state, county, city and special district rates.
If you reside in KS, use tax is due to the state on any and all transactions where sales tax has not been paid, even out-of-state internet sales.
Who has to pay Kansas sales tax or use tax?
In general, a business must collect and remit all applicable Kansas sales taxes if that business has nexus, a physical presence such as a brick-and-mortar location, within a given state. The presence of an employee or salesperson, delivery by the seller's vehicle, and storage of materials usually establishes nexus as well.
Kansas says that an out-of-state seller is required to collect tax if they can be defined as a "retailer engaging in business". Kansas does not currently have additional laws establishing nexus for other reasons such as out-of-state businesses using in-state affiliates, advertisers or vendors, or businesses that make internet sales or mail catalogs.
If you are not sure if you have established nexus in Kansas, you can usually get free help by contacting the Kansas Department of Revenue. Click here for an updated listing of direct phone numbers. You could also contact a qualified certified public accountant or lawyer who specializes in tax law in Kansas. Click here for listing of recommended resources.
Special rules applying to Kansas:
- Shipping is taxable.
- Finance charges are exempt from sales tax, when stated separately.
- Clothing is taxed at the same rate as the general sales tax.
- Kansas Sales tax holidays are not planned for this state .
Since Kansas legislators can vote to change the Kansas sales tax and use tax rates at any time, it is very difficult for individuals to keep track of the changes. The population of KS state is also rapidly changing, which can cause frequent updates to the ZIP codes and local municipality names and complicates the job of keeping track of Kansas sales tax jurisdictions.