Set the stage to raise capital, attract investors, and unlock growth opportunities with a Arkansas C corp. Starts at $0 plus AR state fees.
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A corporation is a complex business structure that can be formed for profit or nonprofit purposes. It is managed by elected officers and a board of directors and treated as a separate entity. This means that a corporation exists apart from its owners or shareholders, with its own rights, liabilities, and privileges.
There are many steps to forming your corporation in Arkansas. Learn how to get started by following our step-by-step guide below.
To start a corporation in Arkansas, you must file the Articles of Incorporation with your state’s Secretary of State office. This legal document officially forms your corporation, but there are many other steps to take before and after filing it.
To simplify forming a corporation in the state of Arkansas, we’ve put together 10 steps for you to form your business:
After you’ve decided to form a corporation, the next step is to name your new business.
It seems like a simple thing to do; however, you must consider requirements set forth in Arkansas naming laws. For example, the name must contain one of the following words or abbreviations:
By law, the name can’t have any words that imply the business is organized for any other purpose than what is stated in your Articles of Incorporation. The name you want to use must also be distinguishable from:
When you create a name for a professional corporation, you’ll need to uphold all of the rules we’ve covered above. But there are other requirements to meet, too. For starters, your name needs to include the name of one of your shareholders (present or past but deceased). It also needs to include one of these designations: “Chartered,” “Limited,” “Professional Association,” or an abbreviation of those.
Arkansas law also states you can’t use the name of someone who isn’t your employee (unless it’s the name of a deceased former shareholder).
You must do a name availability search before filing your Articles of Incorporation. This is also the time to conduct a domain name search to see how the name translates to use as a website address. Since there may be a period between deciding on a name and officially forming your business, it’s a smart move to reserve the available name so that no one else can use it.
An Arkansas Application for Reservation of Entity Name can be filed online for $22.50 or through the mail for $25. The name reservation is good for 120 days. If necessary, it can be renewed one time for another 120 days.
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Check if the name you want is still available
The corporation’s name can’t infringe on anyone else’s trade name, trademark, or service mark rights at the state and federal levels. A trade name, also known as a fictitious name or “doing business as” (DBA) name, is any name under which you plan to do business that isn’t exactly like the name you registered with the state.
If you plan to use a trade name, file an Application for Fictitious Name with the Arkansas Secretary of State for $22.50 online or $25 by mail. You must also submit a copy of the returned application with the county clerk of the county where your registered office is located, except in Pulaski County.
A trademark is a symbol, phrase, word, or a combination of such that represents your company’s goods, while a service mark represents your services. Searching state trademark records and those of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are necessary to determine name availability. You should do this before registering your corporation name, applying for a fictitious name, or reserving a domain name.
Once your corporation’s trademark or service mark is in use, you have the option to register a mark in Arkansas and at the federal level with the USPTO. State registration costs $50 and is good for five years. Federal registration costs $225 or $275 per class of goods/services, depending on how you complete your application; it must be renewed every 10 years.
It’s often easier and quicker to register a trademark at the state level, but the federal level can offer broader protection, which is valuable to corporations wanting to do business outside of Arkansas.
A board of directors usually manages a corporation. They are an elected group whose goal is to represent shareholders, set policies, and ensure prosperity. Directors meet together regularly to discuss business and make decisions.
Corporation owners can be directors, but directors don’t need to be owners. Arkansas law requires a corporation to appoint at least three directors to oversee business operations. There is one exception to this law. If one or two shareholders own all shares of a corporation, you can have one or two directors. In this case, the number of directors must be at least equal to the number of shareholders.
The requirements are a little bit stricter if you’re forming a professional corporation. According to Arkansas state law, all of your directors have to be licensed in your business’s profession. There are no exceptions to this rule, so be sure that your directors are all licensed.
Incorporators are those who initially formed the corporation by filing the Arkansas Articles of Incorporation. As an incorporator, you should hold an organizational meeting before submitting your articles to:
Additional directors may be elected at the first annual meeting of members. Directors can also be appointed at successive annual board meetings or at any other time, as detailed within the company’s articles.
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A registered agent is an individual or entity appointed to receive service of process and other legal notices for your corporation. You’ll want to choose an agent who is available at all times during regular business hours. They’ll also need a physical address in Arkansas or be authorized to provide agent services in the state.
Arkansas requires you to appoint a Arkansas registered agent when filing your Articles of Incorporation. If your corporation fails to appoint or maintain an agent, the Secretary of State will act as the company’s registered agent by default.
To form a corporation in Arkansas, incorporators file the Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. This legal document officially forms your company and provides the state with many important details about your new business. The articles are sometimes called the Certificate of Incorporation or the Corporate Charter. There isn’t a separate form for professional corporations; both types of corporations use the same form.
You’ll want to file the Articles of Incorporation in Arkansas if it’s going to be the main location for your business operations. You’ll need the following information to file your articles:
Additional space is provided on the form for more details about shares. Shares of stock are units of ownership interest in a company. Those who invest in the company and own shares are called shareholders. You may choose to issue the following:
This benefits shareholders through dividends and appreciation. While it is riskier than preferred stock, it comes with voting rights. This type of stock allows shareholders to buy new shares when new stock is issued.
This type doesn’t offer appreciation or voting rights, although some exceptions are made for voting in Arkansas. It usually has set payment criteria, such as a regularly paid dividend. Preferred stock is less risky and is prioritized over common stock, which means these shareholders receive payment before common stockholders.
The number of shares your board of directors may issue is called authorized shares. In Arkansas, the corporation creates and issues the number of shares of their choosing in their Articles of Incorporation. Your board of directors determines increasing or decreasing shares after this point.
A fee of $50 is charged when filing your Articles of Incorporation online. You can also file a paper copy through the mail for $50. You’ll send the document to:
Arkansas Secretary of State1401 W. Capitol, Suite 250Little Rock, AR 72201
For faster filing services, choose to file through the Secretary of State’s corporation online filing system. A corporate franchise tax form will need to be filled out and submitted along with your Articles so the state can send you the correct annual tax reporting form.
Corporate bylaws are the rules by which your corporation will be governed. Initial corporate bylaws can be created by incorporators or a board of directors. It’s important to thoroughly detail how your business will operate to avoid disputes with other members about rules and regulations. Once agreed upon, corporate bylaws are a binding legal document.
You don’t have to file your corporate bylaws with the Arkansas Secretary of State, but it’s recommended that you create and maintain them for your corporation. By state law, corporate bylaws can include any rules about the management or regulation of the business as long as they are consistent with other state laws and the company’s Articles of Incorporation.
Your corporate bylaws may include rules about and items such as:
A shareholder agreement is a document that covers the rights and responsibilities of your corporation’s shareholders. Corporations adopt this agreement to ensure that shareholder rights are protected and everyone is treated fairly. Your agreement may include information such as shareholders’:
The agreement should also cover details such as how to:
A shareholder agreement is useful in setting forth many important business details. Corporations can keep these details private since the agreement is a confidential contract between the company and its shareholders. You can use an online template to draft a shareholder agreement or seek other professional legal services.
Stock shares are a way for others to invest in your company. You can also issue shares to others as compensation for helping you to start your business. Issuing shares of stock is a requirement for all corporations. You must keep track of how many shares have been issued and to whom.
When you filed your Articles of Incorporation, you listed the number of authorized shares your corporation planned to issue. How many shares your corporation issues will be less than or equal to that number.
There are two ways to issue stock, privately and publicly. Private stock is usually issued to founders, managers, or employees. It can also be issued to a private group of investors. If you issue stock publicly, that means a portion of your stock shares is available to be purchased by the public. Public corporations must file quarterly statements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Whether public or private, a share is issued only once. However, it can be traded or sold in the future. To learn more about state regulations, contact the Arkansas Securities Department.
Professional corporations have more restrictions for who can hold stock: shareholders can only be individuals who are licensed in the corporation’s profession. Additionally, shareholders can’t give proxy voting rights to unlicensed individuals.
There is a wide variety of permits and licenses required at the federal, state, and local levels. You may need additional permits or licenses to legally operate in Arkansas, depending on your occupation or corporation’s business operations.
In Arkansas, you even need to check with the proper town or city and county authorities. There isn’t a statewide general business license, but some local governments require one. Since there isn’t a one-stop shop for all licenses and permits, it may be best to hire a service like ZenBusiness to research your requirements.
EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. It’s issued for free by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for identification and tax purposes. You’ll need one to do things such as open a business banking account, hire employees, and pay federal taxes.
You can apply for an EIN online to immediately receive your number. Other options include calling the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 or hiring ZenBusiness to file for an EIN for you.
In addition to federal taxes, Arkansas corporations must file annual corporate franchise reports and pay corporate franchise taxes to the Arkansas Secretary of State. For-profit corporations also need to file a return with the Arkansas Income Tax Division.
Your corporation’s first report to submit to the state is a corporate franchise tax report. Corporations with stock must pay 0.3% of the outstanding capital stock, with a minimum of $150, while corporations without stock pay $300. The fee is the same whether you file online or on paper.
The report and your taxes are due on or before May 1 each year. You can complete a corporate franchise tax report online or fill out a paper copy and mail it to:
Business and Commercial Services DivisionP.O. Box 8014Little Rock, AR 72203
A nonprofit corporation must file an Annual Report for Nonprofit Corporation by Aug. 1 of each year. It can be filed for free online or by mail.
The cost to start a corporation in Arkansas is at least $50. This is for the Articles of Incorporation filing fee ($50 online or $50 on paper). There will likely be additional expenses. Templates for corporate bylaws and the shareholder agreement will add small extra costs. More expensive costs include trademark registrations, permits, licenses, and recurring costs, such as filing annual reports.
But perhaps the biggest cost is in time, headaches, and worry caused by dealing with government bureaucracy. We can help you navigate the red tape. ZenBusiness can assist your small business in Arkansas every step of the way. Our goal is to make it easier for you to start, run, and grow your business.
The protection of your personal assets is a major benefit to forming a corporation. Filing the Arkansas Articles of Incorporation establishes your operation as an official business that can be recognized nationally and globally. The business structure also allows for stocks to be issued, which helps you raise the capital needed to start and grow your corporation. Arkansas is a business-friendly state. To encourage economic growth, the state offers a variety of competitive incentives for businesses, such as job creation incentives like tax credits and cash rebates.
While there are many advantages to forming a corporation, there are a few disadvantages to note. Double taxation, more meetings, more paperwork, and less management flexibility are all negatives to consider. Be sure to thoroughly research your options before deciding that this business structure is the best choice for you.
How a corporation is taxed in Arkansas depends largely on the tax structure you choose when filing your federal taxes. Corporations in Arkansas can be taxed as:
Corporations must also pay an annual franchise tax to the Arkansas Secretary of State. If you have employees, you’re required to pay unemployment insurance tax and employee withholding tax. If you sell taxable goods or services, a state sales and use tax will be levied against your business. Local city or county authorities may also levy a sales and use tax. For more information about taxes, visit the Arkansas Office of Income Tax Administration.
While we don’t offer professional corporation services in Arkansas, we can, of course, help you form a standard corporation.
Yes, there is more administrative upkeep with a corporation than with other business types, such as an LLC.
An LLC is a limited liability company. It’s a simpler business structure than a corporation and requires fewer steps to be formed. LLCs also offer flexible management and liability protection. Forming an LLC isn’t the best choice if you want to take your company public or do business internationally. A corporation is the better option in these situations, as it is a globally recognized company with shareholders.
To change your corporation’s name, you’ll need to file a Certificate of Amendment to change your Articles of Incorporation. The cost is $45 online and $50 on paper. Another less expensive option is to file an Application for Fictitious Name for Domestic Corporation for $22.50 online. (Fees are subject to change.)
Only one person is needed to form an Arkansas corporation, although there may be as many as you like. All incorporators must be at least 21 years old.
Yes, you can file every form needed to start your corporation online through the Business and Commercial Services Department of the Arkansas Secretary of State.
To dissolve an Arkansas corporation, the Articles of Dissolution need to be filed with the Secretary of State. If the original incorporators or initial directors are dissolving the corporation, they need to file a dissolution form. Either form costs $45 to file online or $50 to file a paper copy. (Fees are subject to change.)
Yes. Licensed professionals are free to form a PLLC in Arizona. Benefits include lower taxes, simple startup, and easier maintenance. However, PCs offer more protection and structure for high-income, high-liability professions.
No. Members of your PC must all provide the same state-licensed services, but they are permitted to offer ancillary services related to that profession.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 800,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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