Arkansas Articles of Incorporation
Arkansas articles of incorporation form a corporation by filing Form DN-01 with the Secretary of State for $45 online, setting the name, agent, and shares. Attorney review available.
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Introduction
Once you create an Arkansas corporation as a separate legal entity by filing the Articles of Incorporation (Form DN-01) with the Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services Division, the state charges an annual franchise tax with a $150 minimum for a stock corporation. Filing brings the corporation into existence so it can own property, sign contracts, and give its owners limited liability for the corporation debts. Arkansas law requires the articles to set forth the corporation name, an initial registered agent and registered office, and the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue (A.C.A. 4-27-202). The filing fee is $45 online or $50 by mail, and online filings add a $5 processing fee. The registered agent named in the articles must have a physical Arkansas street address, not a post office box, and the corporation must continuously maintain a registered agent and office (A.C.A. 4-27-501). After the corporation is formed, Arkansas charges an annual franchise tax with a minimum of $150 for a corporation with stock, set at 0.3% of the corporation outstanding capital stock (A.C.A. 26-54-101 and following). Arkansas corporations do not file a separate annual report; the Annual Franchise Tax Report is the recurring filing and is due by May 1 each year. DocDraft builds your Arkansas articles of incorporation from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.
Key Things to Know
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Arkansas charges $45 to file online or $50 by mail for the founding document that creates a corporation as a separate legal entity. You form a for-profit corporation by filing the Articles of Incorporation (Form DN-01) with the Arkansas Secretary of State.
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You file the articles with the Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services Division, for $45 online or $50 by mail. Online filings add a $5 processing fee. The Secretary of State is the filing office for forming an Arkansas corporation.
- 3
Arkansas requires the articles to set forth the corporation name, an initial registered agent and registered office, and the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue (A.C.A. 4-27-202).
- 4
The registered agent named in the articles must have a physical Arkansas street address, not a post office box, and the corporation must continuously maintain a registered agent and registered office (A.C.A. 4-27-501).
- 5
After formation, Arkansas charges an annual franchise tax with a minimum of $150 for a corporation with stock, set at 0.3% of the corporation outstanding capital stock (A.C.A. 26-54-101 and following).
- 6
Arkansas corporations do not file a separate annual report. The Annual Franchise Tax Report serves as the recurring filing and is due by May 1 each year, carrying the franchise tax.
- 7
Articles of incorporation form a corporation. To form an Arkansas limited liability company you file articles of organization instead, and corporate bylaws are a separate internal document the corporation keeps rather than files.
Key decisions before you file
Before you file a Articles of Incorporation in Arkansas, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Articles of Incorporation guide walks through them.
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Arkansas Requirements for Articles of Incorporation
File Form DN-01 With the Secretary of State
An Arkansas for-profit corporation is formed by filing the Articles of Incorporation (Form DN-01) with the Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services Division. The fee is $45 online or $50 by mail, plus a $5 online processing fee. The corporation legally exists once the Secretary of State files the articles.
Corporate Name With a Designator
The corporation name in the articles must include a designator such as Corporation, Incorporated, Company, or Limited, or an abbreviation, and must be distinguishable from other entities on file with the Arkansas Secretary of State.
Registered Agent and Registered Office
The articles must name an initial registered agent with a physical Arkansas street address, not a post office box, and the corporation must continuously maintain a registered agent and registered office (A.C.A. 4-27-501).
Authorized Shares
The articles must state the total number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue. If more than one class is authorized, the articles must state the number of shares in each class and their terms (A.C.A. 4-27-202).
Annual Franchise Tax
Arkansas charges an annual franchise tax. For a corporation with stock, the tax is 0.3% of outstanding capital stock, with a minimum of $150 per year (A.C.A. 26-54-101 and following). It is owed whether or not the corporation is active.
Annual Franchise Tax Report by May 1
Arkansas corporations do not file a separate annual report. The Annual Franchise Tax Report is the recurring filing, due by May 1 each year (A.C.A. 26-54-105), and carries the franchise tax. Missing it can lead to penalties and revocation.
Statement of Purpose
The articles state that the corporation is formed to engage in any lawful business for which a corporation may be organized under the Arkansas Business Corporation Act of 1987.
Corporation Versus LLC
Articles of incorporation form a corporation. To form an Arkansas limited liability company you file articles of organization instead. Corporate bylaws are a separate internal document the corporation keeps rather than files with the state.