Form Your Arkansas S Corporation
Incorporate in the Natural State for just $45, then elect S-corp status to unlock pass-through taxation and payroll-tax savings on your distributions
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$150 min. franchise tax (0.3% of capital stock) — due Franchise tax report due May 1st annually
- State tax rate4.3% corporate income tax
Form your Arkansas S-Corp — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Arkansas S-Corp
Free formation means you pay only the $45 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation 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.
Corporate bylaws
Professionally drafted corporate bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an S-Corp in Arkansas
Arkansas is one of the most affordable states to incorporate, with a $45 filing fee, fast online processing, and a low cost of living that helps S corporations keep operating costs down. After forming your corporation and electing S-corp status, profits pass through to shareholders without federal double taxation, though Arkansas's 4.3% corporate income tax and minimum $150 franchise tax still apply.
Pass-through taxation avoids the double tax C corporations pay at the entity and shareholder level
Self-employment and payroll tax savings on profit distributions taken above a reasonable W-2 salary
Form your corporation for just a $45 Arkansas state filing fee — one of the lowest in the nation
Fast online filing: same day to 2 business days for your Arkansas Articles of Incorporation
Limited liability protection that shields personal assets from business debts and claims
Low cost of living and a central US location keep operating costs down for Arkansas businesses
Enhanced credibility with banks, investors, and clients from a formal corporate structure
S-corp status is a simple IRS election (Form 2553) layered on top of your Arkansas corporation
Key features of a Arkansas S-Corp
- S-corp is a federal tax election (Form 2553) on top of an Arkansas corporation — not a separate state filing
- Among the lowest state filing fees in the nation at $45
- Quick processing — online filings clear in same day to 2 business days
- Pass-through taxation with no entity-level federal income tax
- Payroll-tax savings on distributions once a reasonable salary is paid
- Arkansas state corporate income tax (4.3%) and franchise tax still apply
Major industries in Arkansas
Form your Arkansas S-Corp 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 Corporation Name
Your name must include 'Corporation,' 'Incorporated,' 'Company,' or an abbreviation like 'Corp.' or 'Inc.' Verify availability through the Arkansas Secretary of State's business name database before filing.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent
Arkansas requires every corporation to designate a registered agent with a physical street address in the state to receive legal documents and official notices.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Arkansas Secretary of State. The state filing fee is $45 and online filings clear in same day to 2 business days; mail filings take 5-10 business days.
- 04
Hold Organizational Meeting and Issue Stock
Adopt corporate bylaws, appoint directors and officers, and issue stock. S corporations may have only one class of stock, so keep your cap table simple.
- 05
Elect S Corporation Status with IRS Form 2553
File IRS Form 2553 to elect S-corp tax treatment. The election is due within 75 days of forming your corporation, or by March 15 to apply for the current tax year.
- 06
File the Annual Franchise Tax Report
Arkansas corporations must file a franchise tax report by May 1st each year. The franchise tax is 0.3% of outstanding capital stock, with a $150 minimum per year.
Arkansas S-Corp costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Arkansas S-Corp requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Arkansas S-Corp in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation with the Arkansas Secretary of State ($45 fee)
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Arkansas address
- Adopt corporate bylaws and issue a single class of stock
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File IRS Form 2553 within 75 days of formation (or by March 15) to elect S-corp status
- Maintain 100 or fewer shareholders, all US citizens or residents
- File the annual franchise tax report by May 1st (minimum $150)
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation
- Filing agency
- Arkansas Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Corporate 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, corporate bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation 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)
- Corporate 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 S-Corp questions, answered
Common questions about forming an S-Corp in Arkansas. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How do I form an S corporation in Arkansas?
An S corporation is a tax election, not a separate state entity. You first form a corporation by filing Articles of Incorporation with the Arkansas Secretary of State ($45), then file IRS Form 2553 to elect S-corp tax treatment. Online filings clear in same day to 2 business days.
How much does it cost to form an S corporation in Arkansas?
The Arkansas state filing fee for the Articles of Incorporation is $45, one of the lowest in the country. There is no separate IRS fee to file Form 2553 for the S-corp election. You will also owe the annual franchise tax (minimum $150) and may need a registered agent service.
How long does it take to form an Arkansas corporation?
Online filings with the Arkansas Secretary of State are processed in about same day to 2 business days, while mail filings take roughly 5-10 business days. Your separate IRS Form 2553 S-corp election is processed by the IRS after the corporation is formed.
What is the deadline to file Form 2553 for S-corp status?
File IRS Form 2553 within 75 days of forming your Arkansas corporation, or by March 15 to have the election apply to the current tax year. Missing the deadline generally pushes S-corp treatment to the following tax year unless you qualify for late-election relief.
How does an S corporation save on taxes in Arkansas?
An S corporation is a pass-through entity, so profits are taxed once on shareholders' returns rather than at the corporate level like a C corporation. Owners pay payroll taxes only on a reasonable W-2 salary, and remaining profits taken as distributions avoid self-employment tax. Arkansas's 4.3% corporate income tax and franchise tax still apply.
Who is eligible to own an Arkansas S corporation?
S corporations may have no more than 100 shareholders, all of whom must be US citizens or resident individuals (certain trusts and estates also qualify). Foreign owners are not eligible, and the company may issue only one class of stock. If you do not meet these rules, a standard C corporation or LLC may be a better fit.
What are the ongoing requirements for an Arkansas S corporation?
You must file an annual franchise tax report by May 1st — 0.3% of outstanding capital stock with a $150 minimum — maintain a registered agent in Arkansas, keep corporate records and bylaws current, and pay shareholders a reasonable salary subject to payroll taxes.
Does an Arkansas S corporation need to file a BOI report?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, US domestic entities and US persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a US state still file a BOI report.
Arkansas government filing resources
Filing fees for common S-Corp 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).
Official DFA page states a $50.00 sales-tax permit fee paid electronically upon submission, for in-state / physical-presence businesses.
Learn moreSame as a C-corporation — an S-corp is a federal IRS tax election (Form 2553), not a separate Arkansas entity.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Arkansas S-Corp
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Arkansas S-Corp?
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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