Starting a Business in Arkansas Checklist

Check business name availability with the Arkansas Secretary of State You can perform a business name search here: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/corps/search_all.php Name reservations are not required in Arkansas. Do a trademark search here: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/corps/trademk/index.php Arkansas Secretary of State Secretary of State Business & Commercial Services Victory Building 1401 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 250 Little Rock, AR 72201 501-682-3409 corporations@sos.arkansas.gov
File paperwork to form my business Form your Arkansas corporation or Arkansas LLC! You can file online at https://www.ark.org/sos/ofs/docs/index.php. You could file a paper form, but filing online in Arkansas is quick and easy. The filing fee is $50 for an Arkansas corporation or LLC. The Arkansas Secretary of State will take about 2 business days to process your articles of incorporation or organization. Arkansas has a streamlined formation website for forming your business entity. To complete a formation filing, you’ll need the following information: Business name Authorized share information (corporations only) Name and addresses of organizers/incorporators Primary business purpose Name and address of registered agent To learn more about the incorporation process or if you feel intimidated about filing the legal paperwork with the state, you can incorporate in Arkansas with Northwest Registered Agent. Business & Commercial Services Secretary of State Business & Commercial Services Victory Building 1401 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 250 Little Rock, AR 72201 501-682-3409 corporations@sos.arkansas.gov
Register with the Department of Revenue You can register with the Arkansas DFA by completing the Combined Business Tax Registration Form. You can use the combined form to register for all types of tax including sales, income, and withholding.The Combined Business Tax Registration Form is available online at: http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/exciseTax/salesanduse/Pages/Forms.aspx. Sales Tax: Arkansas has a 6% state sales tax. Businesses in Arkansas have to collect sales tax if they sell goods or services. In addition to the state sales tax, new businesses also have to collect any applicable city and county sales taxes. The DFA provides a list of local sales taxes: http://www.arkansas.gov/dfa/excise_tax_v2/st_zip.html Income Tax: Individual Income tax rates range from 1% to 7% Corporate income tax rates range from 1% to 6.5% Department of Finance Department of Finance and Administration 1509 West 7th Street Little Rock, AR 72201 http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/Pages/businessServices.aspx
Get a business license There is no general state business license but you may need a business license based on your location or occupation. Always check with your city and county government for details.Any other registration requirements?Additional registrations may depend on the type of business you do. Keep in mind that you may need certain permits or an occupational license, in addition to any business licenses. Benton County: Benton County doesn’t issue business licenses. Neither does the City of Bentonville. For a guide to doing business in the Bentonville: http://www.bentonvillear.com/docs/planning/new_business.pdf Washington County: Washington County doesn’t issue business licenses but the city of Fayetteville does. You can get a Fayetteville business license online. http://www.accessfayetteville.org/government/development_services/Business_Registry/index.cfm Local License Info City of Bentonville Community and Economic Development 305 SW A Street Bentonville, AR 72714 City of Fayetteville Development Services 125 W Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701
Collect and Charge Sales Tax Do I need to collect Arkansas sales tax? Vendors doing business in Arkansas need a sales tax permit from the state. What is the Arkansas sales tax rate? Arkansas has 6% state sales tax. In addition to the state sales tax, businesses also have to register for any applicable city and county sales taxes. How do I register for Arkansas sales tax? You may register online at https://atap.arkansas.gov/_/#1 or you may file the Combined Business Registration form. This form is available on the Department of Finance and Administration website at http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/exciseTax/salesanduse/Pages/Forms.aspx. You can mail or hand-deliver the form. You should apply at least 2 weeks before beginning business in Arkansas. How much does an Arkansas sales tax permit cost? There is a $50 application fee for the sales tax permit. Department of Finance and Administration Revenue Division Combined Registration Unit PO Box 8123 Little Rock, AR 72203-8123 Combined Registration Unit 1816 West 7th Street, Room 1354 Little Rock, AR 72201 P: (501) 682-7104 F: (501) 682-7904 http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/Pages/businessServices.aspx