Arkansas has one of the lowest filing fees in the country at $45, with fast 1–3 day processing — but a $150/year franchise tax and up to 4.4% income tax. You can file here yourself. Most founders who just need to trade now buy a ready-made Wyoming LLC that already has its EIN and start today.
$45 filing · 1–3 day processing · Registered agent included
If you're set on Arkansas — maybe you live there, or you're trading locally — forming your own LLC is straightforward, and this page walks you through every step and every fee. But "form it yourself" hides a queue: you file the Certificate of Organization, wait for the state, then apply to the IRS for an EIN. Even with fast Arkansas processing, the realistic combined wait before a bank or Stripe will fully onboard you is still days to weeks.
A ready-made Wyoming LLC removes that queue. The company is already registered and in good standing, and — the part that actually unblocks you — its EIN already exists. The moment the transfer completes (within 24 hours), you can open a US business bank account, connect Stripe, and invoice. Wyoming also gives you no state income tax, no public owner registry, and a low flat annual fee — versus Arkansas's $150/year franchise tax and up to 4.4% income tax.
| Form a new LLC in Arkansas | Buy ready-made Wyoming (USLLCGlobal) | |
|---|---|---|
| Company exists | After state approval (1–3 days online) | Already registered |
| EIN issued | Apply after formation; 1 day–several weeks | Already issued |
| Ready to bank & take payments | Days to weeks total | Within 24 hours |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% on AR-sourced income | None — Wyoming has no state income tax |
| Annual cost | $150/year franchise tax + agent | Low flat Wyoming fee |
| Owner privacy | Limited — members on record | No public owner list |
Arkansas offers one of the lowest LLC filing fees in the United States at just $45. The Natural State processes online filings quickly, typically within 1–3 business days.
The state's economy is anchored by agriculture, retail (Walmart HQ in Bentonville), transportation, and a growing tech sector in Northwest Arkansas. The Bentonville–Fayetteville area has become a startup hub.
The main drawback is Arkansas's $150/year franchise tax, making ongoing costs higher than competing states. Wyoming ($60/year) or Arizona ($0/year) offer lower total costs for non-residents.
All fees below are sourced from the Arkansas Secretary of State fee schedule.
| Fee | Amount | When due |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Organization (online) | $45 | One-time (at formation) |
| Annual Franchise Tax Report | $150/year | May 1 each year |
| Registered agent | $100–150/year (third party) | Ongoing |
| State income tax | 4.4% top marginal rate | On Arkansas-sourced income |
| Sales tax | 6.5% state + local | On taxable goods/services |
| Amendment | $50 | When needed |
| Certificate of Good Standing | $25 | When needed |
Search for available names on the Arkansas Business Entity Search. Your name must include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." Ensure the name is distinguishable from existing entities on file.
Every Arkansas LLC must have a registered agent with a physical street address in Arkansas. The agent must be available during normal business hours to accept legal documents on behalf of the LLC.
File online through the Arkansas Secretary of State. The filing requires:
While not always legally required in Arkansas, an Operating Agreement is essential for banking, tax compliance, and internal governance. It establishes member rights, profit distribution, and management structure. We include a custom Operating Agreement in every formation package.
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. This is your LLC's tax ID number, required for banking, hiring, and tax filings. Online application is available for those with an SSN; fax or mail application for international applicants without an SSN. (A ready-made Wyoming LLC skips this entirely — the EIN already exists.)
If you will sell taxable goods or services in Arkansas, register with the Arkansas Department of Revenue for applicable tax accounts including sales tax and income tax withholding if you have employees.
| Tax type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | Graduated rates |
| Franchise tax | $150 minimum | Due annually by May 1 |
| Sales tax | 6.5% + local | Combined up to 11.625% |
| Annual report | Included | Filed with franchise tax |
Arkansas has moderate tax rates but the $150/year franchise tax applies regardless of revenue. This is the primary ongoing cost for non-residents — and the main reason most of our international customers choose a Wyoming LLC instead.
| Processing option | Time | Additional fee |
|---|---|---|
| Online filing | 1–3 business days | $0 |
| Paper filing | 5–10 business days | $0 |
Arkansas offers fast online processing, typically 1–3 business days.
| Package | Price | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic filers (US residents) | $294 | $249 service fee + $45 state filing fee |
| International filers (non-US residents) | $394 | $349 service fee + $45 state filing fee |
Every formation package includes:
Over five years: $795 in Arkansas state fees ($45 filing + 5 × $150 franchise tax). Despite the cheapest filing fee, ongoing costs are higher than Wyoming ($510) or Arizona ($50).
Comparing states? See our Wyoming LLC and Delaware LLC pages, the United States overview, or our full state comparison.
Browse ready-made Wyoming companies that already exist and already have their EIN. Pick one, verify, and it's yours within 24 hours. Need Arkansas specifically? We'll file it for you.