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The Arkansas Secretary of State keeps business records through the Business and Commercial Services Division, usually called BCS. The state's Corporation Entity Search covers corporations and other registered entities. The BCS fee pages describe it as a business entity name search that also finds a filing number. Searching is free. What sets Arkansas apart is tax: an annual franchise tax report decides whether a company stays in good order.
Running an Arkansas LLC and corporation search at BCS
There are two ways in: the business name or the filing number. The filing number is the more reliable choice if you have it, since it also appears on the company's franchise tax report.
Expect a small hurdle. The search has shown a "User validation required to continue" screen that asks you to type text from an image before it runs.
Keep a few limits in mind when you read the results:
- No owner list. The Business Services FAQ says shareholders and owners are not listed with the Secretary of State. At least one officer must be on file for franchise tax, which can give you a name. Our business owner lookup guide covers other routes.
- No phone numbers. Only addresses are on file for companies, officers and registered agents.
- Not every business is there. Businesses that do not have to file with the state may file with the circuit clerk in their county instead.
How tax shapes the record
Two of the statuses that matter most in Arkansas trace back to franchise tax. The FAQ explains both:
- Revoked. Revocation follows a failure to meet franchise tax obligations, most often not paying the annual tax. A revoked company puts its corporate protections at risk and is barred from many corporate activities.
- Administratively dissolved. The Secretary of State can dissolve a corporation that does not meet duties required by law. The most common reason is, again, unpaid franchise tax (A.C.A. 4-27-1420).
The tax does not stop when a company is revoked. It keeps accruing until the business is dissolved, withdrawn or merged. Under A.C.A. 26-54-114, a company that has not paid cannot make any other BCS filing. So a company with unpaid tax cannot simply file an amendment to fix its record. See our business entity status guide and dissolved business search guide for how to treat these companies.
Names and reservations
Issuing a name means only that it is "distinguishable for filing purposes" on the BCS records, under A.C.A. 4-27-401. It does not give exclusive rights to the name, and the FAQ adds that a name from the online check is not guaranteed until the filing is file-marked by BCS.
To hold a name, file form RN-06. It costs $25 on paper or $22.50 online and lasts 120 days. An LLC may renew once. Corporate reservations cannot be renewed. Fictitious names are also filed with the Secretary of State, at the same $25 or $22.50. A domestic corporation must also file with the county clerk where its registered office is, unless that office is in Pulaski County. Our DBA search guide explains how to check both places.
The franchise tax report and other costs
The yearly filing is the annual franchise tax report, required by the Arkansas Corporate Franchise Tax Act of 1979. It is due on or before May 1. An LLC pays $150. A corporation with stock pays a minimum of $150 and one without stock pays $300. Filing online adds a $5 card processing fee, and mailing adds none. After May 1, penalty and interest are due, and non-payment can lead to revocation. The franchise tax forms page links the current forms and online filing.
Setup fees from the LLC fees page: a certificate of organization is $50 on paper or $45 online, and the same goes for articles of incorporation. A foreign LLC registers for $300 on paper or $270 online. Most filings are done within two business days, and annual reports usually take one to two weeks.
To prove standing, ask the Secretary of State for a Certificate of Good Standing, which states that the entity has authority to do business in Arkansas. A certificate of existence is a separate document that notes basic company details and current tax status. Our certificate of good standing guide explains which one a bank or another state usually wants.
Bulk data
Arkansas offers a Corporation Bulk Data Download through Arkansas.gov. You can pick records by entity type, status or registered agent and download them as CSV or XML. The service page does not state a price.
Starting a company here? Read our guide on how to start an LLC in Arkansas and the Arkansas registered agent rules.
Also see our guides to the Arkansas DBA and Arkansas business license.