Arkansas doesn't call it an "annual report" for most businesses. If you run a corporation or LLC, you'll file a Franchise Tax Report instead. Nonprofits get a separate no-fee annual report due August 1.
Both filings serve the same purpose: keeping your entity in good standing by updating the Secretary of State on ownership, registered agent, and principal office details, plus paying the state's flat $150 franchise tax if you're for-profit.
If your organization is registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State, you likely owe the state a franchise tax report. The requirement covers most business structures registered in the state, including:
Nonprofit corporations face the same obligation, though their filing is called an annual report rather than a franchise tax report.
A few entities dodge this requirement entirely. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships don't register with the state, so no filing is due. If your entity formally dissolved or withdrew before the close of the tax year, you're also off the hook.
You can file directly as an owner, officer, or member. Alternatively, your registered agent, attorney, or accountant can handle it on your behalf. You can also outsource the task to a third-party service.
Arkansas allows you to submit your annual report in three different ways: online, by mail, or in person. The online portal runs 24/7 and processes the fastest.
To file online:
You can pay with a credit card, which adds a $5 processing fee. After submitting, save your confirmation page for your records. Online filings typically appear in the Secretary of State's database within 3–7 business days.
If you want to file through mail, download the right form from the franchise tax report forms page, complete it, attach payment, and mail it to the Secretary of State. You can also hand-deliver the forms if you prefer.
Arkansas keeps things simple by anchoring annual report deadlines to the calendar year rather than your formation anniversary. You can submit the year's report as early as January 1, but for most entities, the clock stops on May 1. That single date applies to for-profit corporations, LLCs, LPs, LLPs, LLLPs, and most financial institutions, all of which file the combined franchise tax report.
Nonprofits must file their annual report within 180 days after their fiscal year ends. While there's no built-in grace period, extraordinary events can shift the deadline. Since Arkansas doesn't offer routine extensions, treat January 1 to April 30 as your filing window.
What you pay depends on your entity type and whether you file online or mail paper forms.
Banks and similar institutions calculate the final amount from asset tiers, so your bill may be higher.
You can pay with a credit card or an electronic check during online filing. Arkansas adds a small convenience charge ($5 for cards and $3 for e-checks), which you'll see on the payment screen. If you're filing paper forms, attach a check or money order and mail everything together.
Before you open the Arkansas online portal or print a form, gather every detail the Secretary of State will ask for. The annual report doubles as the franchise tax report for most entities, so missing even a single field can stall your filing and trigger late fees.
Every Arkansas entity needs the same core information:
From there, requirements diverge by entity type. Corporations must disclose authorized shares and their par value in annual reports, with an officer's signature required. LLCs provide the names of all members or managers and the principal office address. Nonprofit corporations file a no-fee report that captures the names and addresses of principal officers and board members, rather than stock data.
Miss Arkansas's filing deadline and the consequences begin immediately. The Secretary of State adds penalty and interest charges the day after your report is due, and your entity is tagged as "Not in Good Standing" in the public database, where lenders, investors, and potential partners can view the lapse at a glance.
This delinquent status creates serious operational problems:
Are extensions available?
No. Arkansas doesn't offer extensions or grace periods. The only exception occurs during declared disasters, such as when the 2023 tornadoes hit, and deadlines are moved to November 3.
Can I tackle several missed years at once?
Nope. Arkansas requires you to file and pay taxes for every single year separately.
Who can file on my behalf?
Any authorized officer, member, registered agent, attorney, accountant, or compliance provider is authorized to handle it. Just ensure the signer's name and title match precisely what is in the state records.
Can I file my Arkansas annual report early?
Yes. The filing window opens on January 1, so you can complete it months before your May 1 or August 1 deadline.
How long does it take to process my filing?
Online filings are added to the public record within three to seven business days, and paper filings typically take 7–10 business days.
Arkansas' franchise tax reports hit hard and fast with May 1 deadlines, immediate penalties, no grace periods, and entity-specific requirements that vary between LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits. For businesses operating across multiple states, coordinating Arkansas' rigid timeline with other compliance obligations becomes an ongoing administrative burden.
Discern eliminates friction with real-time deadline tracking, pre-filled state-specific forms, and automated filing, reducing hours of manual work to minutes. Our platform syncs Arkansas compliance alongside obligations in every state where you operate.
.png)
.png){kind=small}