Form an LLC in Arkansas
We file your Articles of Organization, register an agent, and deliver your formation documents. Total cost from $170 on Standard.
State filing fee
$45
Typical processing
7 days
Annual report
$150 / yr
Arkansas keeps LLC formation cheap and the paperwork modest: $45 filing fee, online filing accepted, and approval typically within a week. The franchise tax structure is the wrinkle to know - Arkansas charges a flat $150 annual franchise tax on every LLC regardless of revenue, due May 1 each year.
For Arkansas-based businesses the math is straightforward. For non-residents shopping for a low-friction state, the $150 annual cost adds up faster than Wyoming's $60 or New Mexico's $0, so the state is rarely chosen for asset-protection-only LLCs.
Best for: Arkansas-resident businesses; founders preferring fast online filings.
Cost & compliance breakdown
| State filing fee | $45 |
|---|---|
| Typical processing | 7 days |
| Annual report fee | $150 |
| Annual report due | May 1 every year |
- The $150 franchise tax is separate from any income tax and is the same for a one-member LLC with no revenue as it is for a hundred-million-dollar LLC.
- Late franchise tax payments incur a $25 penalty plus 10% per year interest - a missed renewal compounds quickly.
How we file your Arkansas LLC
- 1
File the Certificate of Organization
Filed online with the Arkansas Secretary of State's Business Services portal. The $45 fee is paid at submission.
- 2
EIN and operating agreement
We obtain your EIN and deliver an Arkansas-specific operating agreement that addresses the state's franchise tax obligations.
- 3
Franchise tax registration
We register the LLC with the Arkansas Secretary of State for franchise tax filing and set a reminder for the May 1 due date.
What's included
Articles of Organization
Registered agent
EIN (Federal Tax ID)
Operating Agreement
Frequently asked questions
When is the Arkansas franchise tax due?
May 1 every year. The minimum is $150 for an LLC, payable to the Secretary of State.
Does Arkansas require a separate annual report?
The franchise tax filing serves as the annual report - they are combined into a single form and payment.
Can I form an Arkansas LLC online?
Yes. The Secretary of State accepts fully-online filings and most go through within a week.
Does Arkansas have publication requirements?
No. Unlike New York or Arizona, there is no newspaper publication obligation.
Compare with other states
The states founders most commonly weigh against Arkansas.
Ready to form your Arkansas LLC?
Total from $170 on Standard. Most founders finish the application in about 15 minutes.