Form Your Arkansas Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Natural State with a $45 filing fee, franchise-tax exemption, and a clear path to federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Filed in Arkansas
The Natural State · AR
- State filing fee$45
- Processing timeSame day to 2 business days online; 5-10 business days by mail
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$0 (nonprofits exempt from franchise tax) — due Annual report due Aug 1st
- State tax rate4.3% corporate income tax
Form your Arkansas Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Arkansas Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $45 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit) filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit) to the Arkansas Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Arkansas — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Bylaws
Professionally drafted bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an Nonprofit in Arkansas
Arkansas is one of the most affordable states to incorporate a nonprofit, with a $45 filing fee and a low cost of living that stretches program dollars further. Once incorporated and granted 501(c)(3) status, your organization is exempt from Arkansas franchise tax and can accept tax-deductible donations to fund its charitable mission.
One of the lowest nonprofit filing fees in the country at $45
Eligibility for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and tax-deductible donations
Exempt from Arkansas franchise tax once incorporated as a nonprofit
Limited liability protection for directors, officers, and members
Access to grants and foundation funding reserved for incorporated nonprofits
Low cost of living in Arkansas keeps program and operating expenses down
Fast online filing — same day to 2 business days through the Secretary of State
Key features of a Arkansas Nonprofit
- Among the lowest nonprofit filing fees in the nation at $45
- Quick processing — online filings clear in same day to 2 business days
- Exempt from Arkansas franchise tax as an incorporated nonprofit
- Minimum of three directors required to govern the corporation
- Pathway to federal 501(c)(3) status and tax-deductible donations
Major industries in Arkansas
Form your Arkansas Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes Same day to 2 business days online; 5-10 business days by mail.
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Your name must be distinguishable from existing Arkansas entities. Verify availability through the Arkansas Secretary of State's business name database before filing.
- 02
Appoint Directors and a Registered Agent
Arkansas requires a minimum of three directors for a nonprofit corporation. You must also designate a registered agent with a physical street address in the state to receive legal documents.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit)
Submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Arkansas Secretary of State. The filing fee is $45, and you must include IRS-required 501(c)(3) language on purpose and dissolution. Online filing clears in same day to 2 business days.
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and a Conflict-of-Interest Policy
Hold an organizational meeting to adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy. The IRS expects both when you apply for 501(c)(3) status, and they govern how your board operates.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3)
Get a free EIN from the IRS, then file Form 1023-EZ ($275, for orgs with gross receipts of $50,000 or less and assets of $250,000 or less) or the full Form 1023 ($600) to request federal tax-exempt status.
- 06
Register for State Exemption and Charitable Solicitation
After the IRS grants 501(c)(3) status, apply for Arkansas tax exemption and register for charitable solicitation with the Secretary of State before fundraising in the state.
Arkansas Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Arkansas Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Arkansas Nonprofit in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit) with the Arkansas Secretary of State ($45)
- Appoint a board of at least three directors
- Designate a registered agent with a physical Arkansas address
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN and apply for IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- Register for Arkansas charitable solicitation before fundraising
- File the Arkansas annual report and the IRS Form 990 series each year
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit)
- Filing agency
- Arkansas Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $25 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $45 Arkansas state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit) filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Arkansas)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Bylaws
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Arkansas Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Arkansas. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit corporation in Arkansas?
Arkansas charges just $45 to file your Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit) with the Secretary of State, one of the lowest fees in the country. Separately, the IRS charges $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for the full Form 1023 when you apply for federal 501(c)(3) status.
How long does it take to form an Arkansas nonprofit?
Online filings with the Arkansas Secretary of State process in about same day to 2 business days, while mail filings take roughly 5-10 business days. The separate IRS 501(c)(3) review takes about 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
How many directors does an Arkansas nonprofit need?
Arkansas requires a nonprofit corporation to have a board of at least three directors. The IRS also prefers that directors be unrelated and independent so your board can demonstrate proper governance when you apply for 501(c)(3) status.
Does my Arkansas nonprofit have to pay franchise tax?
No. Nonprofit corporations are exempt from Arkansas franchise tax, so you do not owe the $150 minimum that applies to for-profit entities. You must still file an annual report with the Secretary of State to remain in good standing.
Is incorporating in Arkansas the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?
No. Filing your Articles of Incorporation creates a nonprofit corporation under Arkansas law, but federal tax-exempt status is a separate step. You apply to the IRS using Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023, and you must also obtain Arkansas tax exemption and register for charitable solicitation.
What are the ongoing requirements for an Arkansas nonprofit?
You must file an annual report with the Arkansas Secretary of State, maintain a registered agent, and renew your charitable solicitation registration before fundraising. Federally, you file an annual IRS Form 990 (or 990-EZ/990-N) to keep your 501(c)(3) status active.
Does my Arkansas nonprofit have to file a BOI report with FinCEN?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, domestic US entities and US persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only entities formed abroad and registered to do business in a US state still file. Most 501(c)(3) nonprofits were already exempt regardless.
Arkansas government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official Arkansas state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$25.00 fee reserves the name for 120 days for all entity types.
Two ways to obtain: (1) order a Certificate of Existence through the Records Request Form for $15.00 (records-request fee schedule states 'Certificates are $25.00 each…
Learn morePlain copies are $0.50 per page.
$10.00 per document for an Apostille (documents used in Hague Convention countries).
$300.00 per the nonprofit fee schedule (Non-Prof_Fees.pdf: 'Application for certificate of authority - $300.00').
Learn moreOfficial DFA page states a $50.00 sales-tax permit fee paid electronically upon submission, for in-state / physical-presence businesses.
Learn more$50.00 per nonprofit fee schedule ('Amendment of articles of incorporation - $50.00').
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Arkansas Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Arkansas Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $45 Arkansas state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in Same day to 2 business days online; 5-10 business days by mail.
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