How to Start a Business in Arkansas

Arkansas Business Facts

Arkansas is one of the fastest growing states in America. Since 2013, the unemployment rate in Arkansas has declined to 6%. Small businesses dominate the state’s economy. These businesses employ nearly half of the private workforce in Arkansas.

Major Companies Headquartered in Arkansas

Arkansas is the headquarters of many major companies including Walmart, Tyson Brand, Dillard’s, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, and ArcBest.

Startup Environment

Arkansas is an ideal state for startups. Arkansas startup organizations are actively involved in fostering a supportive network, forming an environment where people are encouraged to pursue their ventures.  

Step 1: Decide on a Business Structure

There are 3 basic options: a Corporation, LLC or DBA. Click here to learn more about business entities.

• A Corporation is a separate entity (provides liability protection to the owners) with a structure that includes shareholders, directors and officers. It’s more complex than a DBA but the entity of choice for large companies and startups that intend to raise funding. Some professions are required to choose what is known as a “Professional Corporation” or PC (doctors, lawyers, architects, etc.).
• An LLC or “Limited Liability Company” is a newer type of business that is both a separate entity and provides very easy management (doesn’t require directors or officers) and taxation. The LLC has largely replaced the DBA and Corporation in popularity recently as it provides liability protection but with much less complexity (and taxation) than a Corporation.
• A DBA or “Doing Business As” (also known as a “Fictitious Business Name” or FBN) is not really a separate structure, but just a different name that an individual or partners use as their business name.

Step 2: Choose a Business Name

Choosing a business name is easier said than done – many legal and business problems can arise from picking the wrong name (you can always change it later but the less times you have to do that the better). In Step 3 we’ll show you how to search for the name in Arkansas, but we highly recommend you do the following before searching Arkansas state databases:

• Make sure you’ve covered the basics: unique, easy to understand/pronounce (practice saying it out loud: “Thanks for calling XYZ”) and can survive over time (“DVD World” is not timely). Here are some of our tips on business identity including logo and trademarks.

• Search the web for your proposed name. Search Google, Bing and DuckDuckGo as a “first sweep” for any potential conflicts, especially in your state or local jurisdiction. NOTE: If you intend to operate nationally or even internationally it will be even more important that your name be unique. This should cover many cases where a company name is being used but not officially trademarked (see next tip).

• Do a trademark search with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This will be a very good indicator if your name will have any conflicts. There’s an art to trademark searches (trademark specialists will charge you handsomely to do a thorough search) but in our experience if you can use Google at a fairly advanced level you can reasonably clear a name yourself. Tip: Search misspellings, plurals, variations of spelling, sound-alikes and other versions of your chosen name to be sure it’s not already registered.

• Make sure your company name choice is available by searching the Arkansas Business Entity Database and doing a name search on the State of Arkansas website. NOTE: Make sure to search variations of spelling, plurals and misspellings as the state may reject a name that is too similar (then you have to start all over again, wasting valuable time).

NOTE: Familiarize yourself with the Arkansas naming guidelines. LLC entity names need to contain the words Limited Liability Company or the abbreviation LLC, and certain words are restricted or prohibited.

Restrictions on Arkansas Business Name & Business Purpose

• Arkansas requires corporations to have unique names.
• Arkansas corporate names may be followed by any of the following designations:
  • Co.
  • Company
  • Corp.
  • Corporation
  • Inc.
  • Incorporated
  • Limited
  • Ltd.
• Restricted designations include:
  • Bank
  • Banking
  • Engineering
  • Insurance

Step 3: Register the Business

Each state has its own requirements for registering a business. Now that you’ve chosen a business structure and selected your business name, here are the requirements to register your business in Arkansas.

How to form an LLC in Arkansas

• File the “Articles of Organization” with the Arkansas Secretary of State.
• Once the articles are filed and approved you will then need to properly organize the LLC (this also applies to “1-person LLC’s”) by holding an “Organizational Meeting” which takes contributions from the members, issues Member Certificates, adopts the company Operating Agreement and more.

How to Incorporate in Arkansas

• File the “Articles of Incorporation” with the Arkansas Secretary of State.
• Hold an “Organizational Meeting” to determine the percentage of ownership for each shareholder as well as resolve to do tasks like open a company bank account, pay back pre-incorporation expenses, elect S-Corporation status and more.
• Corporations can elect S-Corporation status with the IRS by filing IRS Form 2553. Click here to learn more about S-Corporations.

NOTE: When registering a new company the Secretary of State can take several weeks to file the paperwork. You can expedite the process by hand delivering the documents directly to them or one of their field offices and paying an additional fee.

TIP: Check our order form to see how long Arkansas is currently taking to process regular and expedited orders.

How to File a DBA in Arkansas

• Check the state database of business names.
• Complete the DBA registration form.
• Notarize and submit the form
• Pay $50 for the filing fee.

Considerations when registering a Arkansas business

• Hire a professional Registered Agent. Many people list their home or business address on the Articles of Organization or Incorporation. This can cause issues because it becomes public record (you’ll get lots of junk mail). A professional Registered Agent will provide their address and forward any important documents to you, this is also convenient if you have to move (you don’t have to file forms or pay fees, just update your address with your agent).

Ready to register a business in Arkansas?

• We specialize in registering businesses in Arkansas.

Step 4: Obtain your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN or “EIN”)

Your EIN is like your Social Security Number for your company. It’s required for Corporations and LLC’s and optional for DBA’s (if you don’t have any employees, then it’s required). However, if you are a DBA and don’t obtain an EIN you will be forced to use your Social Security Number on many documents so it’s typically recommended you obtain the EIN to prevent identity theft.

To obtain an EIN you can apply online with the IRS or via IRS Form SS-4.

You can read more about corporate tax laws in Arkansas on the Arkansas Department of Revenue Taxation Division site.

Ready to Start Now? Let Us Do The Work

Sure, you could do all the steps above or you could spend 5-10 minutes on our order form and let us take care of it while you work on more important things.

• Learn more about our business formation service
• Read our verified reviews and 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
• Contact our friendly support team if you have any questions

Step 5: Open Company Accounts: Bank and Credit Cards

To keep business and personal expenses separate, you should open a separate account for your business. In addition, getting business credit cards is how you begin to build a company credit profile (corporation or LLC required) and can later qualify for larger loans and lines of credit. To open the account simply call your chosen bank and inquire on the steps to open a business bank account. Typically you’ll need a) your filed paperwork, b) your EIN and c) a company resolution authorizing your company to open the account (signed by the owners, members, officers or directors, etc.).

Top 5 Major Banks in Arkansas

• Arvest Bank
• Bank of the Ozarks
• Simmons Bank
• First Security Bank
• Regions Bank

TIP: Our business formation service includes a free banking resolution for your use.

Step 6: Obtain Business Licenses and Permits

Now that you’ve registered your business name you need to obtain a business license for your company – this authorizes your company to do business in your city or county. Typically this also involves registering for state taxes and permits (the city may require them as part of the business licensing process).

TIP: We work with a company that can obtain and prepare business licenses and permits for you. Click here to learn more.

Step 7: Annual and Ongoing Requirements

DBA: Your Fictitious Business Name should be valid for 5 years (unless you change company name or other information listed on the FBN) at which point you’ll need to renew it with the county.

LLC: Arkansas corporations are required to file a Periodic Report with the Arkansas Secretary of State each year on or before May 1, in addition to general taxation. Information on your business’ taxes can be found here.

Corporation: Business in Arkansas should file a report annually with the Secretary of State of Arkansas on or before May 1. LLCs and Corporations will pay a filing cost of $155.

Important Arkansas Contacts

Arkansas Secretary of State

Business and Commercial Services (for Corporation and LLC filings)
Victory Building
1401 W. Capitol Avenue,
Suite 250, Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 888-233-0325

Arkansas Taxation Departments

• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration

Arkansas Labor and Employment Departments

• Arkansas Division of Labor

Arkansas Startup Resources

1. Small Business Administration (SBA) Arkansas District Offices

• Arkansas District Office

2. SCORE Arkansas

• Northwest Arkansas SCORE, Chapter 511 provides FREE and confidential small business counseling and mentoring, seminars, workshops and other services to the region’s small business community.

3. Arkansas Legal Statutes

• Arkansas Business Corporation Act of 1987 – note this is the broad code that includes various other topics including business corporation.
• Small Business Entity Tax Pass Through Act – business and commercial law for Arkansas’ corporations and associations
• Arkansas Code Title 17. Professions, Occupations, and Businesses § 17-80-104. Continuing education – this includes regulations on Arkansas’s professions and businesses

4. Arkansas Chambers of Commerce

• Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
• Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Paris Area Chamber of Commerce
• Little Rock Chamber of Commerce

5. Operation JumpStart

• Operation JumpStart is a practical, hands-on program designed to help individuals test the feasibility of their business ideas and launch or expand a small business.

6. Angel.co Arkansas Startups

• A list of all 270+ Arkansas Startups and 4,700+ Arkansas angel investors registered with Angel.co. Good research resource.

7. Arkansas Business News

• Arkansas Business
• Northwest Arkansas Business Journal

8. Arkansas Economic Development Commission

• The mission of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission is to create economic opportunity by attracting higher paying jobs, expanding and diversifying our state and local economies, increasing incomes and investment, and generating positive growth throughout Arkansas.

9. Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC)

• Assisting Arkansas businesses has been the mission of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) since its inception in 1979.

10. Arkansas Green Energy Network (AGEN)

• AGEN seeks to create wealth through energy savings resulting from energy efficiency measures as well as distributive solar installations.