Kansas Tax Policy & Rates 2026
Income tax, sales tax, property tax, and overall tax burden for Kansas in 2026, with political context.
Tax Policy Overview
Kansas has had significant tax policy battles, including a failed experiment with a near-zero top income tax rate in 2012-2017 under Governor Brownback that resulted in a fiscal crisis. The state has since restored higher rates. Governor Laura Kelly (D) and the Republican legislature have clashed over tax cuts.
Key Tax Rates
| Tax Type | Rate / Status |
|---|---|
| Income Tax | 5.7% (top, recently changed) |
| No Income Tax | No |
| Sales Tax | 6.5% |
| No Sales Tax | No |
| Corporate Tax | 4.0-7.0% |
| Property Tax Rank | #29 nationally (1=highest) |
| Overall Tax Burden Rank | #28 nationally (1=highest) |
Political Context
The Kansas Brownback tax experiment — cutting income taxes dramatically to near zero — resulted in a fiscal crisis that forced Republican legislators to override a veto and raise taxes. This experiment is cited nationally as a cautionary tale about extreme income tax cuts. Kansas tax policy remains contested between the governor and legislature.