Credit card processing and merchant services in Kansas City, MO
In Kansas City, Missouri, your sales tax rate can depend on which special taxing district you're in. Find the exact rate for your address, then take a close look at what card processing costs you.
Kansas City, Missouri had 521,220 residents as of July 1, 2025, by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.6% since 2020, and its businesses reported $13.7 billion in retail sales in the 2022 Economic Census. If you're opening or moving a location here, find your exact sales tax rate first, because the city has a lot of special taxing districts.
Missouri's rate table for January 2026, published by the Department of Revenue, shows why that matters. Jackson County addresses in Kansas City that sit inside community improvement, transportation development or similar districts appear at rates such as 9.975%, 10.975% and 11.975%. Two shops a few blocks apart can owe different rates, so look up your address in the current table instead of copying a neighbor's settings. Groceries get Missouri's reduced state rate of 1.225% on qualifying food.
The City of Kansas City also lists a 3.25% city use tax. That's separate from the sales tax you collect at the register, so ask your accountant how it applies to equipment and supplies you buy.
This page covers the Missouri side. Cross the state line and Kansas law applies, including its rule that a surcharge be disclosed before the sale; see our Kansas page. Here in Missouri there's no surcharge statute at all, so the card networks decide: 3% is the most a Visa surcharge can be, 4% for Mastercard, and debit cards are exempt.
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Rules that matter in Kansas City, MO
Special taxing districts
Kansas City has many community improvement districts (CIDs), transportation development districts (TDDs) and similar districts, each of which can add its own sales tax inside its boundaries. In the Department of Revenue's January 2026 table, Jackson County rows for Kansas City districts show combined rates such as 9.975%, 10.475%, 10.975% and 11.975%. The DOR publishes new tables during the year, so use the current one for your exact address.
Sources: Missouri Department of Revenue, sales/use tax rate table for January 2026 (PDF); Missouri Department of Revenue, 2026 sales/use tax rate tables
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Common questions
What is the sales tax rate in Kansas City, Missouri?
It depends on the address. The state rate is 4.225%, and city, county and district taxes are added on top. In the Department of Revenue's January 2026 table, Kansas City addresses in Jackson County districts show rates such as 9.975%, 10.975% and 11.975%. Look up your location in the current table.
Do Kansas City businesses follow Missouri or Kansas surcharge rules?
It depends which side of the state line you're on. On the Missouri side, there's no state surcharge statute, so the card network limits apply. In Kansas, state law requires you to disclose the surcharge amount at the point of entry or sale before the transaction. See our Kansas page for that side.
What is Kansas City's use tax rate?
The City of Kansas City, Missouri lists its current use tax rate as 3.25%. Use tax is separate from the sales tax you collect from customers, so ask your accountant how it applies to the equipment and supplies your business buys.
Can Kansas City restaurants surcharge credit cards?
Yes, for restaurants on the Missouri side. Without a state statute, the card networks set the terms: a credit-only surcharge capped at 3% on Visa, 4% on Mastercard and your own cost, disclosed before the customer pays and shown on the receipt. Our restaurant payment processing guide covers surcharges, tips and terminals.
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Disclaimer: general information, not professional advice
This page is general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. Rules and rates vary by place and change, so confirm them with the official source and a qualified professional before you act. Full terms are in our Terms of Service.
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