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If you’re looking for an excellent Arkansas LLC service then choose ZenBusiness. We’ve already formed 700,000+ businesses since 2017!
If you want a socially conscious Arkansas LLC service with a service discount, choose ZenBusiness.
Northwest Registered Agent charges $225 (plus state fee) for LLC filing services. That said, Northwest’s personalized customer support is a feature that could make their prices worth paying for some entrepreneurs.
Overall, Northwest does have some points in its favor. However, keep in mind that it charges $225 (plus your state’s required fee) for its LLC filing services.
Want to learn more? See this Northwest LLC review.
LegalZoom is one of the biggest names in the industry, with millions of customers served and frequent advertising efforts. LegalZoom provides an LLC filing package for free (plus the state’s fee).
LegalZoom is a huge company, so while it offers extended support hours, the quality of its customer support may vary a bit from representative to representative.
Want to learn more? See this LegalZoom LLC review.
Incfile/Bizee offers LLC formations for free, as long as you pay your state’s fee. Incfile and ZenBusiness have some similar characteristics, but there are also some significant differences that set the two apart.
If you’re looking for a cheap LLC formation service in Arkansas and ZenBusiness doesn’t feel right for some reason, Incfile/Bizee could be worth a closer look.
Want to learn more? See this Incfile/Bizee LLC review.
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*Processing times are based on receiving complete information. ZenBusiness processing times do not include Secretary of State processing times, which can vary.**SPECIAL OFFER – Get Starter for $0 plus state fees. Includes one optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance that renews at $199/yr.† ZenBusiness is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.
Technically speaking, you don’t have to use an LLC formation service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom. These services are incredibly helpful, but you can save money by completing the process yourself.
You can read our complete guide to DIY an LLC setup in Arkansas, but here’s a quick look at the process:
Every LLC in Arkansas needs a name that’s memorable and gives potential clients a good idea of what goods or services are available. The name also needs to be unique — both for legal reasons and so your business stands out from the competition.
As we’ve mentioned in this guide, every LLC needs an agent who can accept service of process on your behalf. In all states, you can act as your own registered agent as long as you have a physical address in the state. That said, we generally recommend that you appoint someone else (like an online service) to act as your agent.
This document, once filled out and filed, officially forms your business in the state of Arkansas. You’ll need to provide some important information, including your contact information, your business address, signatures for your LLC’s members, and more. Arkansas has a $45 filing fee.
Setting up the LLC is as easy as 1-2-3; it’s the maintenance requirements that are a bit more complicated:
If you have employees, you’ll need to get an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. Then there are state-specific taxes, too. Arkansas charges graduated income taxes; the individual rates range between 5% and 6.9%, and corporate rates fall between 1% and 6.5%. Beyond that, the biggest tax burden is the Franchise Tax. You will also need to account for sales taxes (6.5%) and other miscellaneous taxes. More information can be found at the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.
There’s no general state business license in Arkansas, but many local cities and counties require them. You may also need to apply for industry licenses; you can find a full list of professional licenses at the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services.
Even single-member LLCs should create a “master document” that sets out how the business will operate, both now and in the future.
The Arkansas annual report actually goes hand-in-hand with the annual franchise tax, so you’ll file with the Department of Finance and Administration, not the Secretary of State. There is a minimum tax of $150 annually.
Every business with employees needs to maintain workers’ compensation insurance and a commercial vehicle policy for company-owned vehicles. You may also want to get a general business liability policy, too.
You should sign up for a business bank account so you can write checks and make purchases in the name of the business instead of pulling from your personal accounts (a legal no-no).
This is just the tip of the iceberg, though. For more detailed guidance, we recommend contacting an attorney or checking out the full Arkansas LLC Formation Guide.
LLCs are formal legal entities that are typically taxed similarly to sole proprietorships and general partnership vs LLC, in that the owners include any company profits or losses into their personal returns — the LLC itself does not owe income taxes. For more a more in-depth description see: What is an LLC?
In addition to the costs of a business formation service or hiring an attorney (which are optional, as we’ve discussed), there are quite a few other required and optional expenses when forming and maintaining an Arkansas business. You cannot form an LLC in Arkansas without filing the Certificate of Organization, the document that officially registers your business in the state. This document costs $45 to file electronically and $50 to file by mail.
Your LLC will also need to file the Annual Franchise Tax Report each year. There is a flat filing fee of $150. This form is pretty simple, but it keeps the state up-to-date about some vital business information. Read more about Arkansas costs – Arkansas LLC costs.
FAQ's
Where Can I Get More Information About Forming LLCs in Arkansas?
We invite you to take a look at our comprehensive guide to forming a limited liability company in Arkansas. This article walks you through the LLC formation process in this state step by step, ensuring that you don’t miss any crucial elements.
How Can I Search Arkansas’ Business Name Database?
One of the most important steps in forming an Arkansas LLC is choosing a business name. Once you come up with ideas for your name, you should search through the Secretary of State’s business entity database to make sure your desired name is available. For more information on conducting a business name search in Arkansas, check out Arkansas business search on the topic.
Where Can I Find the Arkansas Certificate of Organization?
You can find online and hard copy options of the Arkansas Certificate of Organization on the Secretary of State’s website.
What Are Arkansas’ Ongoing LLC Maintenance Requirements?
All LLCs operating in the state of Arkansas are required to submit an Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report to the Secretary of State. It’s due by May 1 each year, and it costs $150.
Where Can I Learn More About the Arkansas LLC Licensing and Permitting Requirements?
Chances are, you’ll require at least one license or permit to operate your LLC in compliance with Arkansas state law. Unfortunately, the state provides no official online resources to provide more info about business licensing. However, we did find some helpful info in the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center’s “License, Permit, & Tax Requirements for Arkansas Small Businesses” document.
How Quickly Does Arkansas Process LLC Formations?
Arkansas processes most business document filings within two business days.
Which Company Provides the Best Arkansas Registered Agent Service?
If you want more details about what these companies can offer in this state, or you’d like to take a look at some other options, check out our complete guide to Arkansas registered agents.
How Can I Dissolve My Arkansas LLC?
Unfortunately, not all businesses last forever. If the time comes when you need to close your LLC’s doors, you’ll need to do so in a manner consistent with the state’s regulations. That’s why we wrote our guide to Arkansas LLC dissolutions, so you can complete the process in a compliant manner.
What if I Need to Expand a Business From Another State to Arkansas?
If your LLC already exists in another state, you don’t actually need to “form” it in Arkansas. Instead, you’ll need to foreign qualify the business in this state. This process is somewhat similar to LLC formation, but there are some crucial differences as well. Take a look at our guide to foreign qualifications in Arkansas for more information.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 700,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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