Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions
- Individuals seeking a standard tax clearance
- Companies seeking a standard tax clearance
- Companies bidding on state contracts
- Individuals bidding on state contracts seeking a standard tax clearance
- State agencies with newly hired employees
- Newly hired state employees
INDIVIDUAL SEEKING A STANDARD TAX CLEARANCE
WHAT IS AN OFFICIAL TAX CLEARANCE LETTER?
A tax clearance letter provides an official statement as to the results of an account review done by the Department of Revenue. The department reviews master tax files to verify if all applicable tax returns are on file; the account is paid in full or on a department approved payment plan; or pending appeal or bankruptcy. The tax clearance process is a comprehensive search to verify compliance with Kansas tax laws.
CAN ANYONE REQUEST AN OFFICIAL TAX CLEARANCE LETTER?
Taxes are CONFIDENTIAL. An official tax clearance letter will only be released to the following:
- The taxpayer who signed the filed tax return.
- An individual who has notarized authorization from the taxpayer to request and receive tax information (notarized authorization document must be attached to written request).
- An individual who has statutory authority or legal power of attorney to request and receive tax information (document for statutory authority or legal power of attorney must be attached to written request).
HOW DO I SUBMIT MY TAX CLEARANCE REQUEST?
All Tax Clearance requests must be submitted using the Kansas Department of Revenue Application for Tax Clearance (Form CM-20).
If you are unable to print the Kansas Department of Revenue Application for Tax Clearance (Form CM-20) from the website (Adobe Acrobat required), you can request a copy of the form by calling (785) 296-3199.
Tax information will only be released to the following:
- The taxpayer who signed the filed tax return
- An individual who has notarized authorization from the taxpayer to request and receive tax information (please provide a copy)
- An individual who has statutory authority or legal power of attorney to request and receive tax information. (please provide a copy)
Tax Clearance Requests may be faxed or mailed to:
- FAX: (785) 296-3655
- MAIL:
Kansas Department of Revenue
Business Intelligence Team
Docking State Office Building - Room 381
915 SW Harrison St
Topeka, KS 66625-2007
COMPANIES SEEKING A STANDARD TAX CLEARANCE
WHAT IS AN OFFICIAL TAX CLEARANCE LETTER?
A tax clearance letter provides an official statement as to the results of an account review done by the Department of Revenue. The department reviews master tax files to verify if tax accounts with applicable tax types are properly registered; all tax returns are on file; the account is paid in full, on an department approved payment plan; or pending appeal or bankruptcy. The tax clearance process is a comprehensive search to verify compliance with Kansas tax laws.
CAN ANYONE REQUEST AN OFFICIAL TAX CLEARANCE LETTER?
Taxes are CONFIDENTIAL. An official tax clearance letter will only be released to the following:
- The business owner
- A corporate officer of the company
- An individual who has notarized authorization from the business owner to request and receive tax information
- An individual who has statutory authority or legal power of attorney to request and receive tax information on behalf of the business.
HOW DO I SUBMIT MY TAX CLEARANCE REQUEST?
All Tax Clearance requests must be submitted using the Kansas Department of Revenue Application for Tax Clearance (Form CM-20).
If you are unable to print the Kansas Department of Revenue Application for Tax Clearance (Form CM-20) from the website (Adobe Acrobat required), you can request a copy of the form by calling (785) 296-3199.
An official tax clearance letter will only be released to the following:
- The business owner
- A corporate officer of the company
- An individual who has notarized authorization from the business owner to request and receive tax information
- An individual who has statutory authority or legal power of attorney to request and receive tax information on behalf of the business.
Tax Clearance Requests may be faxed or mailed to:
- FAX: (785) 296-3655
- MAIL:
Kansas Department of Revenue
Business Intelligence Team
Docking State Office Building - Room 381
915 SW Harrison St
Topeka, KS 66625-2007
COMPANIES BIDDING ON STATE CONTRACTS SEEKING A STANDARD TAX CLEARANCE
WHAT IS AN OFFICIAL TAX CLEARANCE LETTER?
A tax clearance letter provides an official statement as to the results of an account review done by the Department of Revenue. The department reviews master tax files to verify if tax accounts with applicable tax types are properly registered; all tax returns are on file; the account is paid in full, on an department approved payment plan; or pending appeal or bankruptcy. The tax clearance process is a comprehensive search to verify compliance with Kansas tax laws.
CAN ANYONE REQUEST AN OFFICIAL TAX CLEARANCE LETTER?
Taxes are CONFIDENTIAL. An official tax clearance letter will only be released to the following:
- The business owner
- A corporate officer of the company
- An individual who has notarized authorization from the business owner to request and receive tax information
- An individual who has statutory authority or legal power of attorney to request and receive tax information on behalf of the business.
HOW DO I SUBMIT MY TAX CLEARANCE REQUEST?
All Tax Clearance requests must be submitted using the Kansas Department of Revenue Application for Tax Clearance (Form CM-20).
If you are unable to print the Kansas Department of Revenue Application for Tax Clearance (Form CM-20) from the website (Adobe Acrobat required), you can request a copy of the form by calling (785) 296-3199.
Tax information will only be released to the following:
- The business owner
- A corporate officer of the company
- An individual who has notarized authorization from the business owner to request and receive tax information
- An individual who has statutory authority or legal power of attorney to request and receive tax information on behalf of the business.
Tax Clearance Requests may be faxed or mailed to:
- FAX: (785) 296-3655
- MAIL:
Kansas Department of Revenue
Business Intelligence Team
Docking State Office Building - Room 381
915 SW Harrison St
Topeka, KS 66625-2007
INDIVIDUALS BIDDING ON STATE CONTRACTS SEEKING A STANDARD TAX CLEARANCE
WHAT IS AN OFFICIAL TAX CLEARANCE LETTER?
A tax clearance letter provides an official statement as to the results of an account review done by the Department of Revenue. The department reviews master tax files to verify if tax accounts with applicable tax types are properly registered; all tax returns are on file; the account is paid in full, on a department approved payment plan; or pending appeal or bankruptcy. The tax clearance process is a comprehensive search to verify compliance with Kansas tax laws.
CAN ANYONE REQUEST AN OFFICIAL TAX CLEARANCE LETTER?
Taxes are CONFIDENTIAL. Tax information will only be released to the following:
- The taxpayer who signed the filed tax return.
- An individual who has notarized authorization from the taxpayer to request and receive tax information (notarized authorization document must be attached to written request).
- An individual who has statutory authority or legal power of attorney to request and receive tax information (document for statutory authority or legal power of attorney must be attached to written request).
HOW DO I SUBMIT MY TAX CLEARANCE REQUEST?
All Tax Clearance requests must be submitted using the Kansas Department of Revenue Application for Tax Clearance (Form CM-20).
If you are unable to print the Kansas Department of Revenue Application for Tax Clearance (Form CM-20) from the website (Adobe Acrobat required), you can request a copy of the form by calling (785) 296-3199.
Tax Clearance Requests may be faxed or mailed to:
- FAX: (785) 296-3655
- MAIL:
Kansas Department of Revenue
Business Intelligence Team
Docking State Office Building - Room 381
915 SW Harrison St
Topeka, KS 66625-2007
STATE AGENCIES WITH NEWLY HIRED EMPLOYEES
WHAT IS AN OFFICIAL TAX CLEARANCE LETTER?
A tax clearance letter provides an official statement as to the results of an account review done by the Department of Revenue. The department reviews master tax files to verify if all applicable tax returns are on file; the account is paid in full or on a department approved payment plan; or pending appeal or bankruptcy. The tax clearance process is a comprehensive search to verify compliance with Kansas tax laws.
CAN ANYONE REQUEST AN OFFICIAL TAX CLEARANCE LETTER?
Taxes are CONFIDENTIAL. Tax information will only be released to the following:
- The taxpayer who signed the filed tax return.
- An individual who has notarized authorization from the taxpayer to request and receive tax information (notarized authorization document must be attached to written request).
- An individual who has statutory authority or legal power of attorney to request and receive tax information (document for statutory authority or legal power of attorney must be attached to written request).
HOW WILL THE NEW OR RE-HIRE EMPLOYEE TAX CLEARANCE INFORMATION BE SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE?
- Every two weeks the Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Services sends a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) text file of all new employees in participating agencies which contains the: Social Security Number, Name, Address (Street, City, State and Zip Code), Date of Birth, Phone Number, Agency, and Effective-Hire-Date.
- The FTP text file of all new employees is downloaded to the Department of Revenue Tax Collection Systems for an automated review of employee's tax account.
- Once the review has been completed, the Kansas Department of Revenue will notify the new employee with a letter of approval or denial within 3 to 5 business days of receipt of the FTP file from the Department of Administration.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE NEW OR REHIRE EMPLOYEE FAILS TO COOPERATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IN RESOLVING OUTSTANDING TAX LIABILITIES, INCLUDING THE FAILURE TO REMAIN CURRENT ON AN ESTABLISHED PAYMENT PLAN?
The outstanding tax liabilities will be referred to the Department of Administration debtor offset program, under which 25% of an employee’s net (disposable) pay is offset to satisfy outstanding Kansas tax liabilities. In addition, a collection fee of 17% will be added to the balance. Once payroll offset has begun, the only way to stop the deduction is to pay the balance in full. No other pay plans will be considered after payroll offset has begun.
APPLICANTS, CANDIDATES AND NEWLY HIRED STATE EMPLOYEES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS AN OFFICIAL TAX CLEARANCE LETTER?
A tax clearance letter provides an official statement as to the results of an account review done by the Department of Revenue. The department reviews master tax files to verify if all applicable tax returns are on file; the account is paid in full or on a department approved payment plan; or pending appeal or bankruptcy. The tax clearance process is a comprehensive search to verify compliance with Kansas tax laws.
CAN ANYONE REQUEST AN OFFICIAL TAX CLEARANCE LETTER?
Taxes are CONFIDENTIAL. Tax information will only be released to the following:
- The taxpayer who signed the filed tax return.
- An individual who has notarized authorization from the taxpayer to request and receive tax information (notarized authorization document must be attached to written request).
- An individual who has statutory authority or legal power of attorney to request and receive tax information (document for statutory authority or legal power of attorney must be attached to written request).
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE NEW OR REHIRE EMPLOYEE FAILS TO COOPERATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IN RESOLVING OUTSTANDING TAX LIABILITIES, INCLUDING THE FAILURE TO REMAIN CURRENT ON AN ESTABLISHED PAYMENT PLAN?
The outstanding tax liabilities will be referred to the Department of Administration debtor offset program, under which 25% of an employee’s net (disposable) pay is offset to satisfy outstanding Kansas tax liabilities. In addition, a collection fee of 17% will be added to the balance. Once payroll offset has begun, the only way to stop the deduction is to pay the balance in full. No other pay plans will be considered at this point.