How to File an Arkansas Annual Report

What is an annual report?

An annual report is a document businesses must file with the Arkansas Secretary of State Commercial Services Division each year to update company details like ownership, address, and registered agent. It confirms that your business is still active and updates your information in the state’s database.

Filing your Arkansas annual report keeps your business in compliance with state laws. By filing on time, you maintain your good standing with the Arkansas Secretary of State, which allows you to operate legally. If you don’t file, the state may revoke your business’s status, making it difficult to continue your business operations.

What information must an Arkansas annual report contain?

Your Arkansas annual report provides the Commercial Services Division with updated information about your business. The details you need to include will depend on your business entity type, but most businesses must report:

• Business name. The official name of your company as shown on your formation paperwork. (The articles of organization or articles of incorporation you submitted to the Arkansas Secretary of State.)
• Federal tax ID number. A federal tax ID number, also called an employer identification number (EIN), is a unique number the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) assigns your business for tax purposes. (Nonprofits and partnerships may not have this.)
• Registered agent’s name and address. Every Arkansas business must designate a registered agent to receive legal documents and list their contact information on the annual report.
• Principal office street address. The physical location where your business operates. If your company has relocated, you must provide the new address to update state records.
• Mailing address (if different). The address where your business receives mail. Unlike the principal office address, this can be a P.O. box.
• Information about officers, directors, members, or managers. Limited liability companies (LLCs) must provide details about members or managers on the LLC annual report. Limited liability partnerships (LLPs) and limited partnerships (LPs) must list partners. Corporations must list their principal officers, and nonprofits must list both principal officers and the board of directors.
• Share information. Corporations must list the number of authorized shares, amount of issued and outstanding capital stock, the names of stockholders and amount of stock owned by each.

Who qualifies as a principal officer in Arkansas?

A principal officer is a key leader in a company, such as the president, CEO, or treasurer, who has decision-making authority. Arkansas corporations must list their principal officers in the annual report to provide transparency about company leadership. An LLC annual report won’t list officers but does need to list members and managers.

Who qualifies as a director in Arkansas?

A director is a member of a company's board who helps guide major business decisions and oversee overall strategy. Corporations must report their directors in the annual report to show who is responsible for governance. In Arkansas, only nonprofits need to report information about their board of directors.

How to file your Arkansas annual report in 3 steps

Whether you have an LLC, corporation, or another registered business, you’ll want to collect your business information and get familiar with online filings. Follow these steps carefully to file an accurate annual report with the Arkansas Secretary of State Commercial Services Division.

Step 1: Gather the information you need

Before filing, collect your business name, ID number, registered agent details, and office address. If you haven’t made any changes since your last report, this step is straightforward. However, if you’ve changed locations, leadership, or registered agents, updating your report will be a little more complicated. If you’re making updates, review your internal records first to avoid delays.

Step 2: Access the state’s Annual Report Filing System

Online filings using the Arkansas State Franchise Tax and Annual Report Filing System are the fastest way to submit annual reports. You can submit both your standard annual report and annual franchise tax report through this portal. (Note that there’s a separate system for other taxes called the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point.)

Step 3: Fill out and submit your report

To begin filing through the Franchise Tax and Annual Report system, you’ll need to enter the file number from your tax report and your federal tax ID number. (If you don’t have one or it’s your first year filing, you’ll enter nine zeroes.) Click “Show Available Filings,” and the system will show you which documents you need to file. Fill out each document, and be sure to verify the information you’ve entered. Then submit your report and pay the filing fee.

How to file an Arkansas annual report with LegalZoom

It’s important to double-check your annual report to be sure you haven’t made any mistakes that could slow down your filing. Using an online service like LegalZoom can help you be confident your report is accurate—and move the process along more quickly.

With our annual report filing service, you just enter your business details, and we’ll fill out and file your report on time. We can also track your deadlines and send reminders so you never miss a due date. Whether your business needs a simple annual franchise tax report or you’re making changes to your leadership or registered agent, we make the process easy and stress-free.

How much does it cost to file an annual report in Arkansas?

If you have an Arkansas LLC or corporation, you’ll file your annual report at the same time as your franchise tax return. The annual report filing fee is, therefore, the same as the franchise tax you owe. Your franchise tax amount depends on your business type:

• LLCs, $150
• Non-stock corporations, $300
• Corporations with stock, based on outstanding capital stock, $150 minimum

Nonprofits and partnerships don’t need to pay franchise tax and have minimal required annual report filing fees:

• Nonprofits, no fee
• Partnerships, $15

You’ll pay the required filing fee through the Arkansas State Franchise Tax and Annual Report filing system. There’s an additional $5 processing fee for paying with a credit card.

When is the deadline to submit an Arkansas annual report?

The annual report due date for Arkansas corporations and LLCs is May 1 each year. However, the due date for limited liability partnerships and nonprofits is Aug. 1. All business types can file as early as Jan. 1 in Arkansas.

What are the penalties for not filing an annual report in Arkansas?

The penalties for not filing by the annual report deadline vary based on the business entity type. Corporations and LLCs will be charged a $25 late fee, plus interest on the original tax owed, up to twice the original tax. There are no late fees for partnerships, but if LPs or LLPs fail to file within 60 days of the due date, the state could dissolve your business, which means you lose your legal status.

Once dissolved, you’ll need to go through a reinstatement process to regain legal status, including submitting your missing reports and paying all filing and late fees. Using a service that files on your behalf can make filing easier and prevent these issues.

Do all business entities need to file an annual report in Arkansas?

Yes, all businesses registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State must file an annual report, but the requirements differ depending on the business type. Arkansas LLCs and corporations file an annual franchise tax report, which includes an annual report and franchise tax information. 

Nonprofits, LPs, and LLPs aren’t required to pay the annual franchise tax, so these entities only file a standard annual report. Sole proprietorships aren’t registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State and, therefore, aren’t required to pay franchise tax or file an annual report.

Filing your Arkansas annual report—and franchise tax report, if you owe it—is important to maintain your legal status in the state. Whether you run a small LLC, a large corporation, or a nonprofit, keeping up with annual reporting requirements is a simple way to avoid unnecessary complications and stay compliant with Arkansas law.

Arkansas annual report FAQs

Do I need to pay a franchise tax in Arkansas?

All Arkansas LLCs, corporations, banks, and insurance companies registered with the Secretary of State must file an annual franchise tax report and pay the tax. The original tax owed depends on your entity type and any outstanding capital stock (for corporations with stock). Nonprofits, limited partnerships (LPs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and sole proprietorships don’t need to file a franchise tax report or pay the tax. Be sure to pay the annual franchise tax if you owe it—failure to pay could result in penalties up to twice the original tax.

What’s the difference between the annual franchise tax and annual report in Arkansas?

The annual franchise tax is a required fee that businesses must pay each year, while the annual report updates the company’s information with the Arkansas Secretary of State. Businesses that owe franchise tax (Arkansas LLCs, corporations, banks, and insurance companies) will fill out the annual franchise tax report. Other registered entities will only file an annual report.

Do nonprofits need to file an annual report in Arkansas?

Yes, all nonprofits must file an annual report with the Arkansas Secretary of State by Aug. 1 each year. The report includes information about the organization’s board members, officers, and primary address. If a nonprofit fails to file, it could lose its tax-exempt status or face administrative dissolution.