Costs to Start a Business in Arkansas

Arkansas Startup Costs Overview

Setting up a small business in Arkansas generally involves lower initial costs compared to many other states, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs. Commercial real estate and leasing rates are relatively affordable, especially outside major urban centers like Little Rock. Labor costs are also comparatively low due to the state's lower minimum wage and cost of living. Arkansas offers a business-friendly regulatory environment with fewer licensing fees and regulations, which helps reduce setup costs. Additionally, the state provides various incentives and support programs for small businesses, including tax credits and grants.

While the market size may be smaller compared to more populous states, Arkansas's lower costs and supportive economic climate provide a favorable environment for new business ventures.

Arkansas State-Specific Costs

Formation Costs

There are several types of business entities you can choose for your company.  Which is best for your business depends on a variety of factors, like ownership in the business, taxation, and more. Each structure has its own one-time formation or set-up cost that varies by state.

ENTITY
Cost
C-Corporation
$50
S-Corporation
$50
LLC
$50

Annual Reporting Fees

In many states, business entities must file an annual report. Annual reports are short documents that provide updated information about your business, including the name and address of the business, the people who run it, and its registered agent. Keeping this information up to date ensures you stay compliant.

The most cost efficient way to report annually is to do it yourself. Here are the costs for annual filings for the state.
ENTITY
Cost
C-Corporation
$150
S-Corporation
$150
LLC
$150

Franchise Tax Fees

Franchise taxes are state fees that businesses pay in order to have the right to operate in those states. They are paid in addition to state and federal income taxes. Here are the franchise tax fees for each business entity structure in this state.  

ENTITY
Cost
C-Corporation
0.3% of the greater of net worth or property value
S-Corporation
$150 minimum
LLC
$150 minimum



State Income Taxes

Most states (44 out of 50) levy a corporate income tax.
C-Corps pay a C-Corp state income tax rate.
If the income tax is pass-through, as with S-Corps, use your personal income tax rate.

For LLCs, the tax rate depends on the how you set up the LLC business structure.

  • Single-member LLC: treated as a disregarded entity (pass-through). Apply your personal income tax rate
  • Multi-member LLC: treated as a partnership (pass-through). Each person pays personal income tax based on their share of the LLC's income and their own personal income tax rate.
  • LLCs as S-Corps: if the LLC elects to be taxed as an S-Corp (pass-through), the LLC is taxed at the personal income tax rate.
  • LLCs as C-Corps: if the LLC elects to be taxed as a C-Corp, the LLC is taxed at the C-corp income tax rate.
ENTITY
Percentage fee
C-Corporation
1-5.3%
S-Corporation
Pass-through
Personal
2% - 4.9%

Sales Tax

The Arkansas Sales Tax is 6.5%-11.5%

Outsourcing Costs

Additional Information

Non-State Specific Costs

These costs are similar across states. We estimate the total non-state specific costs to be $XXX. Link to Overall Costs page.

Total Costs for Starting a Business in Arkansas


Summing up the above fees, we estimate the total cost for starting a business in this state to be:

$XX