Start a Business in Arkansas
Costs, permits, taxes, and requirements for AR.
- Cost rank
- 3rd of 50
- 86% of the national average · 47 states cost more
- State income tax
- 2-4.4%
- Charged on top of federal income tax
- Sales tax
- 6.5%
- You collect it on taxable sales and remit it to the state
- LLC filing fee
- $45
- One-off, paid to the Secretary of State · 2nd cheapest of 50 (median $100)
Where Arkansas sits on cost
Cheapest third to most expensive third, by startup cost index. Select a state to open its page; on desktop, hover shows its index and rank.
What's different in Arkansas
The state average hides two Arkansases. The northwest corner around Bentonville, Rogers and Fayetteville runs on a supplier economy built around one very large retailer, and its rents, wages and competition behave like a mid-sized metro. The Delta counties on the far side are among the cheapest places in the country to hold premises, with the thin customer base that goes with cheap. One thing is constant wherever you land: the yearly entity fee is charged on the company itself, so a quiet year still costs you the filing.
- The northwest is a different price level
- Supplier-economy demand there has pulled rent and pay well above the rest of the state.
- Inbound freight is unusually cheap
- Several national trucking carriers are headquartered here and the inbound rates reflect it.
- The entity fee ignores your year
- It is charged annually on the company, in a good year and in a dead one alike.
Business Guides for Arkansas
All 53, cheapest first. Ranges are what that business actually costs in AR.
Under $10K 24
- Notary Services $240 – $1,600
- Social Media Management $425 – $2,575
- Pet Sitting $430 – $2,580
- Web Design $425 – $4,300
- Dog Walking $430 – $4,300
- Cleaning Business $1,500 – $7,500
- Tutoring $425 – $8,600
- E-Commerce $430 – $8,600
- Personal Training $1,800 – $7,500
- Graphic Design $850 – $8,600
- Window Cleaning $860 – $8,600
- Handyman $1,700 – $8,600
- Bookkeeping $1,725 – $8,600
- Lawn Care $2,200 – $10,000
- Pressure Washing $2,200 – $10,000
- Auto Detailing $2,000 – $11,000
- Vending Machine $2,400 – $12,000
- House Painting $1,720 – $12,900
- Pool Cleaning $1,720 – $12,900
- Tax Preparation $1,725 – $12,900
- Photography $2,600 – $12,900
- Consulting $850 – $17,200
- Event Planning $1,725 – $17,200
- DJ Service $2,575 – $17,200
$10K – $50K 17
- Interior Design $1,720 – $21,500
- Carpet Cleaning $4,300 – $21,500
- Massage Therapy $4,300 – $21,500
- Mobile Spa $6,400 – $20,000
- Wedding Photography $8,600 – $34,400
- Landscaping $7,000 – $38,000
- Junk Removal $4,300 – $43,000
- Pest Control $8,600 – $43,000
- Pet Grooming $4,300 – $64,500
- Catering $8,600 – $64,500
- Florist $8,600 – $64,500
- Tree Service $8,600 – $64,500
- Electrician $12,900 – $64,500
- Plumbing $12,900 – $64,500
- Bakery $300 – $95,000
- Moving Company $16,000 – $80,000
- Yoga Studio $12,900 – $86,000
$50K and up 12
- HVAC $17,200 – $86,000
- Barber Shop $20,500 – $98,400
- Nail Salon $24,600 – $122,999
- Hair Salon $28,700 – $122,999
- Food Truck $38,000 – $115,000
- Gym $41,000 – $122,999
- Ice Cream Shop $43,000 – $258,000
- Coffee Shop $64,000 – $240,000
- Daycare $4,300 – $430,000
- Car Wash $43,000 – $430,000
- Laundromat $86,000 – $430,000
- Restaurant $143,500 – $410,000
Get a personalized cost estimate for Arkansas
Calculate CostsBusiness Requirements in Arkansas
Register Your Business
File with Arkansas Secretary of State. LLC fee: $45
Get Business License
Most cities require a general business license ($50-$300).
Get EIN
Free from IRS. Required for bank accounts and taxes.
Register for Sales Tax
State rate: 6.5%. Local taxes may apply.
Get Business Insurance
General liability protects from lawsuits. Often required by landlords.