Arkansas

LLC, Business License, Incorporation

With the 32nd largest population in the United States, Arkansas services both large and small businesses. Arkansas' major industries include retail, food production, and health care. Regardless of your industry, we can help you take advantage of Arkansas' business services.

Forming a Corporation in Arkansas

Each state has its own set of rules for businesses seeking to form a corporation there. If you've decided to incorporate in Arkansas, incorporate.com will take care of all the details. We'll research the availability of your company name and help you prepare and file your Articles of Incorporation with the Arkansas Secretary of State. We can also assist with many of your follow-up needs such as amendment filings, written consents, and annual report preparation and filing.

Here are some helpful facts about Arkansas's incorporation requirements:

Corporate Name Requirements

Arkansas requires corporations to have names that can't be confused with any reserved or registered corporate names or forced fictitious names. When you incorporate with incorporate.com's help, we'll research your company name to make sure it meets Arkansas's standards.

Permitted designations: Arkansas corporate names may be followed by several approved designations, including:

  • Co.
  • Company
  • Corp.
  • Corporation
  • Inc.
  • Incorporated
  • Limited
  • Ltd.

Restricted designations: The use of certain words and phrases in corporate names is considered "restricted" in Arkansas, meaning they require special approval by the state. These include:

  • Bank
  • Banking
  • Engineering
  • Insurance

Filing Requirements

Remember, when you work with incorporate.com, we'll take care of your incorporation filing for you. This information is presented only for your reference.

Required documents: The state of Arkansas requires businesses to file Articles of Incorporation as well as a Franchise Tax Registration.

Turnaround time: In general, turnaround time for incorporating a business in Arkansas is 3-5 business days.

Follow-up filings: Not required.

Officers/Directors Information

Minimum number: Corporations are required to have one or more directors.

Director qualifications: The articles of incorporation or bylaws may prescribe the qualifications for directors. A director is not required to be a resident of Arkansas.

Appearance in articles: Not required. Directors' names and addresses do not have to appear in the Articles of Incorporation.

Written consent: Permitted. Directors may act in writing in lieu of holding a meeting.

Principal Office Location

Arkansas permits a corporation's principal office to be located outside of the state.

Annual Reports

Time to file: Corporations must file annual reports with the Arkansas Secretary of State by May 1st.

Turnaround time: Turnaround time at the state is one business day.

Signatures: Annual reports may be signed by the company President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer or Controller. Emailed or faxed signatures are not accepted.

Filing extensions: Not permitted.

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Forming an LLC in Arkansas

Each state has its own set of requirements for businesses that plan on forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) there. If you decide to form an LLC in Arkansas, incorporate.com will take care of all the details. We'll research the availability of your company name and help you prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the Arkansas Secretary of State. We can also take care of many of your company's follow-up needs, including annual report preparation and filing.

Here are some helpful facts about Arkansas's LLC requirements:

LLC Name Requirements

Arkansas requires Limited Liability Companies to have names that can't be confused with any other limited liability company, limited partnership or corporate names. When you form your LLC with incorporate.com's help, we?ll research your company name to make sure it meets Arkansas's standards.

Permitted designations: Arkansas LLC names may be followed by several approved designations, including:

  • L.C.
  • L.L.C.
  • LC
  • LLC
  • LTD. Liability Company
  • Limited Company
  • Limited Liability Co.
  • Limited Liability Company
  • Ltd. Liability Co.

Restricted words: The use of certain words in LLC names is "restricted" in Arkansas, meaning special approval by the state is required. These include:

  • Bank
  • Banking
  • Engineering
  • Insurance

Filing Requirements

Required documents: Companies that wish to form an LLC in Arkansas must file Articles of Organization and a Franchise Tax Registration. Remember, when you work with incorporate.com, we'll take care of this filing for you.

Turnaround time: In general, turnaround time for forming an LLC in Arkansas is 3-5 business days.

Follow-up filing: Not required.

Managers/Members Information

Minimum number: LLCs are required to have one or more managers/members.

Principal Office Location:

Arkansas permits an LLC's principal office to be located outside of the state.

Annual Reports

Frequency of filing: Annually

Time to file: LLCs must file their Limited Liability Company Franchise Tax Report with the Arkansas Secretary of State on or before May 1.

Turnaround time: Turnaround time at the state is one business day.

Signatures: Only a manager or member may sign. Emailed or faxed signatures are not accepted.

Filing extensions: Not permitted.

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Get Arkansas Business Licenses

Before your business can legally begin to operate, you must satisfy its license, permit, and tax registration requirements. Almost all state, county, and local governments require businesses to obtain one or more licenses and permits. Additionally, selling taxable goods and services or hiring employees requires that you register with tax authorities. All business license, permit, and tax registration requirements vary by your industry and location.

Examples of possible licenses required in Arkansas:

  • Trucking License
  • Solicitor License
  • Educational Institution License

Too busy to research your licensing requirements? We can help.

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