State guide
Fees, taxes, privacy, timelines, and banking for forming an LLC in Arkansas — with pros, cons, and a side-by-side comparison so you can decide with confidence.
Why form an LLC in Arkansas?
Arkansas has one of the cheapest filing fees ($45 online) and fast online processing, but every LLC owes a flat $150 annual franchise tax and the state taxes personal income. Reasonable if you operate in Arkansas; not a standout for a purely remote founder.
A quick reminder from us: forming in a state where you do not actually operate usually means you still have to register (foreign-qualify) in your home state, often with little or no tax benefit. If you are unsure, tell us how you plan to operate and we will recommend the right fit — free.
Costs and fees
The Arkansas Secretary of State charges roughly $45 online ($50 by mail) to file Articles of Organization, with an ongoing state cost of about $150 franchise tax (annual, due May 1). $45 online filing fee; flat $150 annual franchise tax due May 1; personal income tax applies to AR-source income. State fees are paid directly to the state and are separate from our service fee.
- Filing fee: $45 online ($50 by mail) (approximate)
- Ongoing state cost: $150 franchise tax (annual, due May 1)
- Typical processing time: 1–2 days online
Taxes and privacy
Personal state income tax in Arkansas: Yes. Owner privacy on the public record is generally rated medium.
Your federal tax obligations (and your EIN) are the same regardless of the state you choose — a single-member LLC is taxed as a pass-through by default, and we can obtain your EIN even if you do not have an SSN.
Pros of forming in Arkansas
- Very low $45 online filing fee (one of the cheapest in the US)
- Fast online processing, typically 1–2 business days
- Flat, predictable $150 annual franchise tax — no revenue-based calculation for standard LLCs
- Formation documents don't require listing every member publicly, so ownership privacy is moderate
Things to weigh
- $150 flat annual franchise tax is due every year (by May 1) regardless of income
- Arkansas levies personal income tax on residents and AR-source income
- Late franchise tax triggers penalties and interest and can jeopardize good standing
- No meaningful advantage over Wyoming/New Mexico for a non-US founder with no Arkansas ties
Banking for your Arkansas LLC
Where you form doesn't dictate where you bank — an Arkansas LLC can open a US account with any provider. Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept LLCs from any state, including for non-US owners, subject to standard beneficial-owner KYC.
Whichever state you choose, we prepare the documents banks ask for and can obtain your EIN even without an SSN. Bank and provider approval is always their decision — we are not affiliated with any bank.
Is Arkansas right for you?
Best for: Arkansas-based founders wanting a low filing fee. If you operate physically in Arkansas, forming here keeps things simple. If you are a remote or non-US founder without a specific reason to choose Arkansas, a low-cost, privacy-friendly state like Wyoming or New Mexico is often the better default.
Not sure? Start your application and we will confirm the best state for your situation before anything is filed.
Arkansas vs the most popular states
How Arkansas compares with the states most non-US founders actually choose. Use it to sanity-check whether a low-cost, privacy-friendly default beats forming here.
| Arkansas | Wyoming | Delaware | New Mexico | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | $45 online ($50 by mail) | $100 | $110 | $50 |
| Ongoing state fee | $150 franchise | $60/yr | $300 franchise | None |
| State income tax | Yes | None | Yes (no sales tax) | Yes |
| Owner privacy | Medium | Highest | High | Highest |
| Typical speed | 1–2 days online | Same day–2 days online | ~1–2 wks standard; expedited (24hr/same-day) available for a fee | 1–3 days online |
| Best for | Arkansas-based founders wanting a low filing fee | Non-US founders, privacy, holding companies | VC-track startups planning to raise | Non-US founders wanting cheap, private, low-maintenance |
Figures are approximate and change frequently — we confirm the current amounts with the state before filing. General information, not legal or tax advice.
FAQ
Common questions
Search & file in Arkansas
Official Arkansas government tools — check a company name before you file, look up an existing company's status by name or filing number, and go straight to the right filing portal. Links change; we confirm the current details before filing. General information, not legal or tax advice.