Selling at and running markets in Kansas.
In Kansas, anyone making retail sales at an event must collect sales tax, using a Department of Revenue sales tax number or the event's tax packet, and coordinators request packets and send a vendor list. State law exempts non-time/temperature-controlled foods sold direct to consumers and food businesses open under seven days a year from Department of Agriculture licensing.
Updated
Sales tax.
Kansas sales tax registration or special event tax packet
Every retailer at the event needs a Kansas sales tax registration certificate or agrees to remit tax with the tax packet the event coordinator distributes. Registration for a Kansas sales tax number has no fee.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Kansas Department of Revenue
- When
- Anyone making retail sales, renting tangible property or collecting admissions at a craft show, flea market, festival or similar event, even if they sell only once a year. Vendors attending more than four Kansas events a year must register for a Kansas sales tax number.
- Fee
- There is no fee for registration
- Timing
- Special event packet returns and payments are due within 25 days of the end of the event
Special event coordinator duties (tax packets and vendor list)
The coordinator notifies the Department of the event dates and a contact, requests tax packets, hands them to every vendor, and tells participants the applicable tax rates. After the event the coordinator emails a list of every vendor with business name, address, owner, phone, email and Kansas tax ID.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Kansas Department of Revenue
- When
- Anyone who arranges, promotes or sponsors a craft show, flea market, festival or similar event with retail vendors in Kansas.
- Timing
- Request packets 30 days prior to the event (Form CTE-51); send the vendor list within 14 days of the conclusion of the event
Selling homemade food (cottage food).
At a glance: no registration or permit. Compare all 50 states.
Licensing exemption for foods not needing temperature control
State law exempts such a producer from the food establishment license, though the exemption does not shield a business from inspection or regulation when a violation is observed or reported. Which foods qualify is determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, and no sales cap appears in the statute.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Kansas Department of Agriculture
- When
- A person who produces food for distribution directly to the end consumer, if the food does not require time and temperature control for safety or specialized processing, as determined by the secretary of agriculture.
Temporary food permits.
Food establishment license (and the under-seven-days exemption)
The Secretary of Agriculture licenses food establishments, with an inspection before issue, but state law exempts operating for less than seven days in a calendar year and selling food solely to raise funds for community, humanitarian, educational or youth activities. The statute does not say whether local health agencies add their own permits.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Kansas Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Lodging
- When
- Operating a food establishment, which the department lists as including special events, unless an exemption applies.
Business registration.
Kansas Department of Revenue business registration
Businesses register for and pay taxes through an account in the Department's Customer Service Center. Depending on structure, they may also need to register with the Secretary of State or the Department of Labor, and liquor or tobacco sellers need separate licenses.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Kansas Department of Revenue
- When
- Starting a new Kansas business that must collect and pay business taxes.
- Fee
- There is no fee for registration of your business with the Kansas Department of Revenue
What the state asks of market organizers.
Kansas requires the event coordinator to request tax packets from the Department of Revenue 30 days before the event, give them to all participating vendors, and send the Department a vendor list (business name, address, owner, phone, email, Kansas tax ID) within 14 days after the event ends. Official page
City and county permits in Kansas.
Event permits, vendor licenses and food permits are mostly local. Pick your city or county:
Collect the paperwork with each application.
Ask vendors for their sales tax registration, cottage food registration or food permit and insurance certificate as required documents on your application form, and check them before you approve anyone.
Where the sources are unclear.
- Blocked: the Kansas Department of Agriculture pages on food safety licenses, farmers markets and similar locations, and its FAQ (https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/licenses/food-and-lodging-applications-and-licenses/license-information-food-safety and related pages) returned 403 to every request. Cottage food and temporary food entries therefore cite the Kansas Legislature's page for K.S.A. 65-689 (the 2023-2024 archive version, last amended 2018); confirm the current list of exempt foods, labeling and event license fees with the Department (Food Safety and Lodging). The farmers market topic is omitted for the same reason.
- The special events page is undated; the Department of Revenue special events email is KDOR_special.events@ks.gov.
- Kansas Department of Revenue says a vendor using the special event packet can file instead of registering when attending four or fewer Kansas events a year.
Common questions.
Do I need a sales tax permit to sell at a craft fair in Kansas?
Kansas sales tax registration or special event tax packet (Kansas Department of Revenue): Every retailer at the event needs a Kansas sales tax registration certificate or agrees to remit tax with the tax packet the event coordinator distributes. Registration for a Kansas sales tax number has no fee. Special event coordinator duties (tax packets and vendor list) (Kansas Department of Revenue): The coordinator notifies the Department of the event dates and a contact, requests tax packets, hands them to every vendor, and tells participants the applicable tax rates. After the event the coordinator emails a list of every vendor with business name, address, owner, phone, email and Kansas tax ID.
Can I sell homemade food at a farmers market in Kansas?
Licensing exemption for foods not needing temperature control (Kansas Department of Agriculture): State law exempts such a producer from the food establishment license, though the exemption does not shield a business from inspection or regulation when a violation is observed or reported. Which foods qualify is determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, and no sales cap appears in the statute.
Who issues temporary food permits for events in Kansas?
Food establishment license (and the under-seven-days exemption) (Kansas Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Lodging): The Secretary of Agriculture licenses food establishments, with an inspection before issue, but state law exempts operating for less than seven days in a calendar year and selling food solely to raise funds for community, humanitarian, educational or youth activities. The statute does not say whether local health agencies add their own permits.
What does Kansas require of market and event organizers?
Kansas requires the event coordinator to request tax packets from the Department of Revenue 30 days before the event, give them to all participating vendors, and send the Department a vendor list (business name, address, owner, phone, email, Kansas tax ID) within 14 days after the event ends.
Do I need a state business license to be a vendor in Kansas?
Kansas Department of Revenue business registration (Kansas Department of Revenue): Businesses register for and pay taxes through an account in the Department's Customer Service Center. Depending on structure, they may also need to register with the Secretary of State or the Department of Labor, and liquor or tobacco sellers need separate licenses.
Sources.
This page summarizes official state sources and isn't legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with each agency.
Every fact on this page comes from these official pages, checked on 2026-10-11. Details change; tell us at hello@bzar.app if something here is out of date.
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
bzar is free for organizers: vendor applications with required documents, booth payments, tickets and check-in in one dashboard.