LLC for Beginners

LLC for Beginners › Arkansas

Forming an LLC in Arkansas for the first time

The Arkansas filing fee is $45. For a beginner the best service is Mainstay Filing: $199 a year covers the filing, agent, EIN application and the annual report, so year 1 comes to $244.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Your Arkansas checklist

  1. File the Certificate of Organization for Limited Liability Company (LL-01). $45 to the Arkansas Secretary of State.
  2. Registered agent. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. Mainstay Filing includes it.
  3. EIN. Free from the IRS; included in the application Mainstay Filing prepares.
  4. Operating agreement. Write one even for a single owner. No upcharge at Mainstay Filing.
  5. Annual report. Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report, $150 flat, due May 1.. Due: May 1.
Best for beginners

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year + $45 state fee

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Total for the first three years

$942 with Mainstay Filing, state fees included. Others: Northwest Registered Agent $634; ZenBusiness $842; Bizee $643; LegalZoom $1,092 (these totals leave out any charge for filing the annual report).

Questions

What is the best LLC service for a beginner in Arkansas?

Mainstay Filing. First year $244 including the $45 Arkansas filing fee; $349 in year 2.

Can a beginner file an LLC in Arkansas without a service?

Yes: file the Certificate of Organization for Limited Liability Company (LL-01) with the Arkansas Secretary of State for $45. Required registered agent: A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or a noncommercial agent: an individual or a business entity serving as agent in Arkansas. The company can also name a position inside it, such as its manager, whose holder then receives papers.

Sources