Arkansas Secretary of State
How Much Does a Corporation Cost in Arkansas?
Forming a corporation in Arkansas means filing the Articles of Incorporation with the Arkansas Secretary of State. The calculator below separates official government fees from estimates, and fixed costs from variable ones.
An S corporation is a federal tax election, not a state entity type — both LLCs and corporations may qualify for it.
First-year government fees — Arkansas Corporation
$45
First-year government fees for a Arkansas Corporation: $45
Official state fees
Ongoing fixed fees
≈ $150/yr annualized for comparison — actual payment schedule shown above.
Five-year outlook
Varies by business — excluded from totals
- Franchise tax above the minimum. 0.3% of the value of outstanding capital stock when that exceeds the $150 minimum.
Educational estimate based on official fee schedules verified July 12, 2026 — not legal or tax advice. Fees, rules, and processing times change; confirm with the state or a qualified professional before relying on them.
The numbers behind this page
Every figure comes from the typed data record for Arkansas, verified July 12, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.
| Fee | Amount | Schedule | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Incorporation filing fee Online filing fee; paper filings cost $50. | $45 | One-time | Official state fee |
† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.
| Fee | Amount | Schedule | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual franchise tax (minimum) Corporations with outstanding capital stock pay 0.3% of outstanding stock value, with a $150 minimum. | $150 | AnnualDue May 1 each year, beginning the year after incorporation | Official state fee |
| Franchise tax above the minimum 0.3% of the value of outstanding capital stock when that exceeds the $150 minimum. | Varies | Variable | Official state fee |
† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.
Filing process & processing times
File online through the Secretary of State's corporations portal or by mail.
| Option | Typical turnaround | Added fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard processing | 1–3 business days | None | Online filings are generally processed within a few business days |
Processing times are estimates based on currently available official guidance and change with filing volume — they are not guaranteed.
Registered agent costs
Every Arkansas Corporationmust continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Acting as your own agent costs $0 where you meet the state's eligibility rules; commercial services typically run $100–$300 per year. The calculator uses $200 — the midpoint of that range — when you choose a hired service.
Midpoint of the typical advertised price range for national commercial registered-agent services as of July 2026 (e.g. Northwest Registered Agent $125/yr, ZenBusiness $199/yr, LegalZoom $249/yr). Budget providers advertise below this range and premium corporate-service firms above it. Serving as your own agent costs $0 where you meet state eligibility rules.
Worth knowing about Arkansas
- Arkansas charges LLCs a flat $150 annual franchise tax regardless of income — there is no separate annual report fee.
Arkansas Corporation cost FAQs
How much does it cost to start a corporation in Arkansas?
The Arkansas Secretary of State charges $45 to file the Articles of Incorporation. That figure excludes optional services and any variable taxes, which depend on your circumstances.
What are the ongoing costs of a corporation in Arkansas?
Arkansas corporations generally must pay the annual franchise tax (minimum) of $150 per year (due May 1 each year, beginning the year after incorporation). In addition, franchise tax above the minimum may apply depending on your revenue, assets, or activity — these are variable, so they aren't included in fixed totals.
How long does it take to form a corporation in Arkansas?
Standard processing generally takes about 1–3 business days. Arkansas does not currently offer a paid expedited tier for this filing. Processing times change with filing volume, so confirm current turnaround with the state before relying on a date.
Do I need a registered agent for a corporation in Arkansas?
Yes. Every Arkansas corporation must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and official mail. You can generally act as your own agent at no cost if you meet the state's eligibility rules, or hire a commercial service — typically $100–$300 per year. Whether serving as your own agent is practical depends on your circumstances, including privacy and availability during business hours.
How does the Arkansas franchise tax above the minimum work for corporations?
0.3% of the value of outstanding capital stock when that exceeds the $150 minimum. Because the amount depends on factors like revenue or assets, it is shown separately and never folded into the fixed totals above. Consult a qualified tax professional about how it may apply to you.
What this page doesn't cover
- Federal, state, and local taxes beyond the fixed fees shown — income-dependent taxes are listed as variable obligations and never included in exact totals.
- Business licenses, local permits, industry-specific registrations, and DBA filings.
- Attorney, accountant, or filing-service fees beyond the labeled registered-agent estimate.
- Whether a corporation — or Arkansas — is the right choice for your situation. FormedIn provides general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice, and nothing here recommends an entity type or formation state for any specific person.
Fees, rules, deadlines, and processing times change. Confirm current requirements with the Arkansas Secretary of State and consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional about your specific circumstances.
Sources
Arkansas data last verified July 12, 2026.
- Business & Commercial Services — Forms and Fees— Arkansas Secretary of StateOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
- Franchise Tax— Arkansas Secretary of StateOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
- How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost? 2026 Guide— RegisteredAgentCost.comaccessed July 12, 2026
- How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?— ZenBusinessaccessed July 12, 2026
Keep going
- Arkansas LLC costs →
- Compare Arkansas with other states →
- What a Registered Agent Actually Does (and Being Your Own) →
- Annual Compliance Checklist by Entity Type →
- How to Choose Your Formation State (Delaware Isn't a Default) →
- LLC vs. S Corporation Election: The Basics →
- Official source: Arkansas Secretary of State →