You can start an LLC in Arkansas by choosing an available name, naming a registered agent with an Arkansas street address, and filing a Certificate of Organization with the Arkansas Secretary of State. The state filing fee is $45 online or $50 on paper (as of October 2026), which makes Arkansas one of the least expensive states to form in.
The ongoing cost is what to plan for: every Arkansas LLC owes a $150 annual franchise tax, first due May 1 of the year after formation. This guide covers each step, the official forms, and what you’ll owe after the filing goes through.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in Arkansas (2026)
Comparing services for forming an LLC in Arkansas? Start with this ranked shortlist; details for each pick follow the table.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | AR Registered Agent.org | Arkansas registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Arkansas Registered Agent.co | Arkansas registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Arkansas. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. AR Registered Agent.org
AR Registered Agent.org is a Arkansas registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Arkansas Registered Agent.co
Arkansas Registered Agent.co is a Arkansas registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Arkansas LLC quick facts
| Requirement | Details (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Where you file | Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services |
| Formation form | Certificate of Organization (Form LL-01) |
| Filing fee | $45 online; $50 paper |
| Name reservation | $22.50 online or $25 paper (Form RN-06); held for 120 days |
| Annual requirement | Franchise tax report and $150 franchise tax, due May 1 starting the year after formation |
| Registered agent | Required; Arkansas street address. Changing agents (Form DO-03) has no fee |
| Publication | Not required |
Sources: the Secretary of State’s LLC forms and fees page and franchise tax page. You can also compare these numbers against Mainstay Filing’s Arkansas LLC cost page, which separates state fees from service fees.
Step 1: Pick a name the Secretary of State will accept
An Arkansas LLC name must include “Limited Liability Company” or an accepted abbreviation such as “LLC” or “L.L.C.,” and it can’t be confusingly similar to a business already registered in the state.
Generating options is the easy part. Type a few words that describe your business into the namechk business name generator, then test the favorites against the state’s corporation search. Our Arkansas business name search guide explains how to search by partial names so near-matches don’t slip through.
Before you commit, look for federal trademarks in the USPTO database and check whether the matching domain and social handles are open on namechk. A name you can’t use online is a name you’ll probably end up changing.
Should you reserve the name?
Reservation is optional. If you need time before filing, Form RN-06 holds the name for 120 days for $22.50 online or $25 on paper. Owners who are ready to file usually skip it and submit the Certificate of Organization straight away.
Step 2: Name a registered agent in Arkansas
The Certificate of Organization asks for the name and Arkansas street address of a registered agent. This is where lawsuits and official notices for the LLC are delivered, so the address must be a physical location, and someone must be there to accept papers during business hours.
Owners often serve as their own agent at first. The downside is that your address goes on the public record and you need to be reachable at all times. A commercial registered agent takes both problems off your plate; Mainstay Filing includes one for the first year with its formation service. If you change your mind later, Arkansas lets you switch agents with Form DO-03 at no charge. Read our Arkansas registered agent guide for the full requirements.
Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization
Filing online costs $45 and runs through the Secretary of State’s website; the paper Form LL-01 costs $50. The form is short and asks for:
- The LLC’s name
- The registered agent’s name and Arkansas street address
- The LLC’s principal address
- Organizer information and signature
- An optional effective date if you want the LLC to start later
Form LL-01 also includes a franchise tax registration page. Fill it in carefully: the Secretary of State uses it to send the LLC its annual franchise tax reporting form, and the signer affirms that franchise taxes are due by May 1 of the year after formation.
Step 4: Draft an operating agreement
Arkansas doesn’t require you to file an operating agreement, but you should still write one. It’s the document that answers questions the Certificate of Organization never asks: how ownership is divided, how votes work, how money comes out of the business and what happens if a member leaves.
Banks and lenders frequently ask for a copy, and a signed agreement helps a single-member LLC show that the company is separate from its owner.
Step 5: Get an EIN and register for state taxes
The IRS issues Employer Identification Numbers free online. You’ll need one to open a business bank account, hire employees, or file a partnership return for a multi-member LLC.
If the LLC will sell taxable goods or services or hire staff in Arkansas, register for sales tax and withholding through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration’s online tax system before you start operating.
For federal ownership reporting, FinCEN’s beneficial ownership page confirms that U.S.-formed companies are exempt from BOI reports under the rule effective August 2026.
Step 6: Pay the annual franchise tax
Arkansas doesn’t have a separate annual report for LLCs. Instead, each LLC files a franchise tax report and pays a flat $150 every year. The first payment is due May 1 of the year after the LLC was formed.
Online filing goes through the Secretary of State’s franchise tax system, with a $5 card processing charge. There’s no extension. Missing the deadline adds a $25 late penalty plus interest, and long-term non-payment can cost the LLC its good standing.
Step 7: Check local licenses and permits
Arkansas has no single statewide business license. Cities and counties issue their own licenses and permits, and regulated professions need approval from the relevant state board. Contact your city clerk or county office, and your industry’s licensing board, before you open.
What does an Arkansas LLC cost in the first two years?
A realistic budget looks like this, using official state fees as of October 2026:
| Item | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Organization | $45 online / $50 paper | At formation |
| Name reservation (optional) | $22.50 online / $25 paper | Before formation |
| Franchise tax | $150 | May 1 each year, starting the year after formation |
| Registered agent change | $0 | Whenever needed |
Local license fees vary by city and industry and aren’t included.
Arkansas LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Arkansas?
The Arkansas Secretary of State charges $45 to file a Certificate of Organization online or $50 on paper, as of October 2026. An optional name reservation adds $22.50 online. After formation, every Arkansas LLC owes a $150 annual franchise tax, first due May 1 of the year following formation.
When is the Arkansas LLC franchise tax due?
The Arkansas LLC franchise tax report and $150 payment are due by May 1 each year, starting with the year after the LLC is formed. The Secretary of State’s Certificate of Organization form asks the filer to affirm that deadline. Late payment can lead to added fees, penalties and interest.
Do Arkansas LLCs file an annual report?
Not a separate one. Arkansas LLCs file an annual franchise tax report with the Secretary of State and pay a flat $150. The Secretary of State’s annual report section applies to limited partnerships and similar entities, not LLCs, so the franchise tax report is the yearly filing that keeps an Arkansas LLC in good standing.
How long does an Arkansas name reservation last?
An Arkansas name reservation filed on Form RN-06 holds the name for 120 days. The fee is $22.50 online or $25 on paper, according to the Secretary of State’s LLC fee table. A reservation is optional; if you’re ready, you can go straight to filing the Certificate of Organization.
Can I be my own registered agent in Arkansas?
Yes. Any adult with an Arkansas street address who can accept legal papers there during business hours can serve as the LLC’s registered agent, including an owner. Many owners still use a commercial agent for privacy and reliability. Arkansas lets you change your registered agent later with Form DO-03, which has no filing fee.
Does Arkansas require newspaper publication for a new LLC?
No. Arkansas has no publication requirement for new LLCs. Once the Secretary of State approves the Certificate of Organization, the LLC exists, and the remaining tasks are internal: an operating agreement, an EIN, state tax registrations, local licenses and the annual franchise tax.
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