The state filing fee to form an LLC in Arkansas is $45. Annual maintenance costs include annual franchise tax report ($150) plus a registered agent. Calculate your total first-year and ongoing costs below.
Arkansas charges a $45 filing fee but also requires an annual Franchise Tax Report with a $150 minimum fee. The total first-year cost including both fees is $195. This makes Arkansas one of the cheapest to form but with an ongoing $150/year minimum tax.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | $45 | One-time at formation |
| Annual franchise tax report | $150 | Annually |
| Annual franchise tax | $150 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49–$300/year | Annually (at renewal) |
| Operating Agreement | $0–$1,500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
| Business Bank Account | $0–$50/month | Monthly or free |
| Period | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| First Year (state fees + $49 RA) | $394 |
| Ongoing Annual (state fees + $49 RA) | $349/year |
| 5-Year Total Cost (+ RA) | $1,790 |
Northwest Registered Agent provides registered agent service in Arkansas for $49/year — the lowest price in the industry. They also include a free year of registered agent service when you use them to form your LLC. Vanderflip Financial's preferred partner for LLC formation.
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The Arkansas state filing fee is $45. In the first year, total costs including a registered agent (~$49) and annual state fees ($150) amount to approximately $394. Ongoing annual costs are approximately $349/year.
Yes — Arkansas requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a physical Arkansas address. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Arkansas address, or hire a professional service. Professional services (~$49-$300/year) keep your personal address off public records and ensure you receive legal documents even when you're unavailable.
Annual franchise tax report: $150 Franchise/privilege tax: Annual franchise tax $150. Plus registered agent service (~$49/year). Total ongoing: approximately $349/year.
For most small businesses that operate in Arkansas, forming in Arkansas is the right choice. If you form in Delaware or Wyoming and do business in Arkansas, you'll likely need to register as a foreign LLC in Arkansas — paying fees in both states. Delaware and Wyoming make sense for businesses seeking venture capital, planning complex ownership structures, or operating entirely online without a home state nexus.
Standard LLC formation in Arkansas typically takes 5–15 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee and can reduce processing to 1–3 business days in most states. Online filing through the Secretary of State's website is the fastest option. Using a registered agent service like Northwest can also expedite the process.