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LLC SchoolhousePlain LLC lessons, one state at a time.

Session 1 · Arkansas

How to Start an LLC in Arkansas (2026): a 7-Step Lesson and the 3 Best LLC Services

If you want help setting up an LLC in Arkansas during 2026, our graded list reads Arkansas Registered Agent.co ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and AR Registered Agent.org ($199). Take it in 7 steps: the state charges $45 to file and wants the Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report every year.

Taught by the LLC Schoolhouse editors

Key facts

Formation fee$45Checked against sos.arkansas.gov, October 2026
Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report$150 a yearPay and file by the date given as May 1
What the state collects in three years$345State charges only
Number of steps7One at a time

You will be able to

  • How formation works in Arkansas
  • How to meet the registered agent rule
  • What to file every year afterward
  • Our graded picks and the reasoning

If you would like help with the filing

Graded on our report card: three-year cost (32%), lesson steps handled (33%), renewal, fit with Arkansas's steps and clear pricing.
Top of the class

1. Arkansas Registered Agent.co: best for an inexpensive Arkansas start

$199 to start, $99 a year from year two

Arkansas Registered Agent.co earns the highest mark because $199 gets you started with a free first agent year, and $99 each year from year two.

Mainstay Filing costs more over three years, and that hands this service the top spot.

Its price leaves out the Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report, so plan to file that yourself every year.

What the price covers

  • The filing is done for you
  • The first year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • The agent renews at $99
  • The first agent year is included
  • $199 above the state fee

Where it loses points

  • There is no Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report service
  • The EIN application costs $99 extra
Works in every state

2. Mainstay Filing: best for new founders who want it handled

$199 a year plus the state fee ($244 at checkout)

Taking second place is Mainstay Filing, where at $199 a year it files the LLC, serves as the registered agent and files the franchise tax report, and the price stays at $199 when you renew.

Arkansas Registered Agent.co is $200 lower across three years, which keeps this one out of first.

Each Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report is filed on your behalf (state fee $150, at cost).

What the price covers

  • The filing is done for you
  • Registered agent for twelve months
  • Franchise tax report prepared and filed
  • The EIN application
  • State fee billed at cost

Marks in its favor

  • $199 a year pays for filing and agent and report
  • $199 at renewal
  • It files the EIN application for you

Where it loses points

  • Arkansas Registered Agent.co renews for $100 less
In-state service

3. AR Registered Agent.org: best for a low agent renewal

$199 to start, $99 a year from year two

AR Registered Agent.org lands in third place, and the reason is clear: $199 gets you started with a free first agent year, and $99 each year from year two.

Its price leaves out the Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report, so plan to file that yourself every year.

On price it is level with Arkansas Registered Agent.co.

What the price covers

  • The filing is done for you
  • The first year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • $199 above the state fee
  • The first agent year is included
  • The agent renews at $99

Where it loses points

  • There is no Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report service
  • The EIN application costs $99 extra

The 3 graded picks compared

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Arkansas Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit Arkansas Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3AR Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit AR Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Posted prices, read November 13, 2026. The state fee ($45) is not counted.

Starting an LLC in Arkansas, one step at a time

  1. Step
    1

    Pick a name and make sure it is free

    Type the name into the business search at the Arkansas Secretary of State before you file anything, so you do not pick one that is in use.

    Have a spare name ready.

  2. Step
    2

    Appoint a registered agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or a noncommercial agent: an individual or a business entity serving as agent in Arkansas. The company can also name a position inside it, such as its manager, whose holder then receives papers.

    The address has to be an actual street address or rural route box number in Arkansas, plus an Arkansas mailing address if it differs. A P.O. box on its own is not accepted.

    All of our picks fill the registered agent role.

    Where this comes from: Checked against arkleg.state.ar.us, October 2026

  3. Step
    3

    File it on your own, or hand it off

    Either way the state keeps $45. A filing service adds $199, and our grades show which one is worth it.

  4. Step
    4

    Hand in the Certificate of Organization for Limited Liability Company

    Your formation filing is the Certificate of Organization for Limited Liability Company (Form LL-01); take it, plus $45, to the Arkansas Secretary of State (Ark. Code Ann. § 4-38-201). The state says it processes filings in Most filings within two business days of receipt.

    Where this comes from: Checked against sos.arkansas.gov, October 2026

  5. Step
    5

    Obtain an EIN

    Once approved, the LLC can get a federal tax ID, the EIN, from the IRS. A business bank account will need it. The EIN application is one of the things Mainstay Filing does for you.

  6. Step
    6

    Agree on the ground rules in writing

    The owners sign an operating agreement covering shares, votes and what happens if someone leaves. It stays in your files and is not filed with the state.

  7. Step
    7

    Keep up with Arkansas's recurring filing

    What recurs is the Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report ($150, every year, by May 1). Filing late adds $25.

    Where this comes from: Checked against sos.arkansas.gov, October 2026

What you will pay

LinePayeeTotal
Filing feePaid to the state$45
Annual LLC Franchise Tax ReportPaid to the state$150 every year
Late filing penaltyPaid to the state$25
Optional serviceYour service$199 in the first year
State fees for three yearsPaid to the state$345
State amounts come from Arkansas's official schedules (see the references); service prices come from each company's site. The three-year state total adds the filing, the reports from year two and any yearly minimum tax.

Why Arkansas Registered Agent.co comes first

won on tuition over three years (32% of the grade), with right behind.

Over years one to three, Arkansas Registered Agent.co costs $397 and Mainstay Filing costs $200 more.

Arkansas questions

What will I pay to set up an LLC with Arkansas?

The state's fee is $45. Add $199 if a service files it for you.

Which form creates the LLC?

Look for the Certificate of Organization for Limited Liability Company (Form LL-01); the Arkansas Secretary of State is where it gets filed.

Is a registered agent required?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

How long does Arkansas take to process the filing?

Usually Most filings within two business days of receipt. No paid expedite is offered.

What does Arkansas require each year?

The yearly task is the Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report ($150, every year, due May 1).

Can I form the LLC without a service?

The state takes filings directly from owners, so you can skip the service; expect $45 plus a registered agent.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

Arkansas Registered Agent.co first, then Mainstay Filing and AR Registered Agent.org; Arkansas Registered Agent.co leads on tuition over three years.

More lessons

Class references

  1. Want to see Arkansas yearly filing: Franchise tax report: what and for yourself? Open sos.arkansas.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
  2. Want to see Arkansas yearly filing: Franchise tax: amount and filing for yourself? Open sos.arkansas.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
  3. Want to see Arkansas report due date for yourself? Open sos.arkansas.gov. We confirmed that page in August 2026 before writing the lesson.
  4. Want to see Ark for yourself? Open arkleg.state.ar.us. We confirmed that page in August 2026 before writing the lesson.
  5. Want to see Arkansas formation fee: Filing fee, official source for yourself? Open sos.arkansas.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
  6. Want to see Arkansas registered agent statute for yourself? Open arkleg.state.ar.us. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
  7. Want to see Processing, official source for yourself? Open sos.arkansas.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
  8. Prices taken from the pricing page of Arkansas Registered Agent.co on November 13, 2026
  9. Prices taken from the Arkansas service page of Mainstay Filing on November 13, 2026
  10. Prices taken from the pricing page of AR Registered Agent.org on November 13, 2026