Vendor setup
Register a business in Arkansas
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Arkansas. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Arkansas entities are formed with the Secretary of State, Business & Commercial Services (BCS), Little Rock. Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
Forming an LLC
- An Arkansas LLC is formed with a Certificate of Organization for a domestic LLC (form LL-01), filed online by credit card or on paper by mail or in person. Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
- LLC formation, filed online: $45 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
- LLC formation, filed on paper: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
Forming a corporation
- An Arkansas for-profit corporation is formed with Articles of Incorporation (form DN-01), online or on paper. Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Incorporation, filed online: $45 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Incorporation, filed on paper: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
Annual or biennial report
- All corporations and LLCs registered in Arkansas pay an annual franchise tax with a franchise tax report to the Secretary of State. Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
- LLC franchise tax: $150 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
- Corporation with stock, minimum franchise tax: $150 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- A business using a fictitious name files form DN-18 with the Secretary of State. Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
- A domestic corporation also files with the county clerk where its registered office sits, unless that is Pulaski County. Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
- Fictitious name, filed online: $22.50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
- Fictitious name, filed on paper: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Arkansas Secretary of State, as of
State tax registration
- Arkansas businesses register for state tax accounts through the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point (ATAP). The sales tax permit fee is paid electronically. Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, as of
- Sales tax permit fee: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Arkansas public pools need an annual operating permit from the Department of Health, due each January 1. Arkansas Department of Health, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- LLC Forms/Fees/Record Requests Arkansas Secretary of State. As of .
- Corporation Forms Arkansas Secretary of State. As of .
- Franchise Tax Report Forms Arkansas Secretary of State. As of .
- Business Services FAQ Arkansas Secretary of State. As of .
- Register for a Tax Account Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. As of .
- Swimming Pool FAQs Arkansas Department of Health. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
Last checked