Arkansas Corporation

You can get an EIN directly from the IRS. The application is free, and most businesses can apply online. However, if you don’t have a social security number, you’ll need to submit a paper application form. Can’t bear to fill out yet another application? Hire Northwest to get your EIN for you. Just add on EIN service during checkout when you sign up for our incorporation service.

Corporate bylaws cover basic policies and procedures for issues such as company finances and management. Bylaws should cover a range of topics, answering key questions like those below:

• Meetings: When and where will meetings for shareholders and directors be held? How many attendees are required to transact business? What are the procedures for voting or proxy voting? How do you call a special meeting? What actions can be taken without a meeting?

• Stock: How are stock certificates issued and transferred? How is voting affected by issues such as corporate stock owners or fractional shares?

• Directors and officers: How many directors must there be? Which officer positions are required? What powers do they have? How do you fill a vacancy or remove a director or officer?

• Finances: What are the procedures for retaining profits, issuing dividends, and paying bills? Who can withdraw money from the corporate bank account or sign checks?

• Records: Where is the corporate book to be kept? What information will be maintained? How are requests for review or access honored? Can records or copies be kept or distributed digitally?

• Amendments and emergencies: Who can amend bylaws and how? Can emergency bylaws be adopted in the case of disaster?

Arkansas bylaws can make other provisions as well, assuming additions are in accordance with state law and the Articles of Incorporation. For example, AR Code § 4-26-806 (2019) permits provisions increasing the number of directors needed for a quorum.

Creating bylaws can be overwhelming—where do you start? Northwest can help. We give you free corporate bylaws when you hire us to form your Arkansas corporation. We know what kinds of topics and questions corporations need to address, and we’ve spent years refining and improving our forms. We offer many other free corporate forms as well, including templates for resolutions and meeting minutes.

Besides the Annual Franchise Tax (described above), Arkansas corporations pay a corporate net income tax. The Arkansas corporate net income tax rates are:

1%: $0 to $3,000
2%: $3,000 to $6,000
3%: $6,000 to $11,000
5%: $11,000 to $25,000
6%: $25,000 to $100,000
6.5%: $100,000 +

State sales tax is 6.5%, but cities and counties can tack on their own sales taxes as well, making the average total sales tax in Arkansas 8.58%.

The online state filing fee for Arkansas Articles of Incorporation is $45. If you mail your Articles, the filing fee jumps to $50.

File online and receive your Certificate of Approval in a day or two. Want to pay more for a slower processing time? Mail your Articles of Incorporation! Mailed filings cost $5 more (plus whatever you’ll pay for printing and mailing costs) and take 1-2 weeks. So, there’s really no reason to mail your filing unless you have to pay with a check or money order.

Arkansas doesn’t have a statewide general business license. Some cities and counties have their own licensing requirements though. For example, if you engage in any business in Hot Springs, you’ll need to get a business license there, but if you’re just a little further south in Arkadelphia, there’s no general business license required.

For some license applications you may need an EIN or a certified copy of your Articles of Incorporation. At Northwest, we can streamline the process and get these for you—simply add on these items during checkout.

A corporation formed outside of Arkansas—but which conducts business in the state—is considered a foreign Arkansas corporation. For example, if you incorporated in Georgia but decide to open a storefront in Arkansas, you would be a foreign Arkansas corporation. This also means you would need to register with the state by filing an Application for Certificate of Authority with the Arkansas Secretary of State. Foreign corporations are required to file the Arkansas Annual Franchise Tax each year as well.

Absolutely! We’re happy to start a nonprofit corporation for you. Note that incorporating an Arkansas nonprofit requires a different form although the filing fee is the same.

It’s a conundrum: you need a local number to display on your website and give to customers, but you don’t want to make your personal number quite so…public. We get it. And we’ve got you covered with Northwest Phone Service. We can provide you with a virtual phone number in any state—plus unlimited call forwarding and tons of easy-to-use features. You can try Phone Service free for 60 days when you hire us to form your corporation, and maintaining service is just $9 monthly after that. No contract required.