What is an annual report for Arkansas LLCs?

An annual report is a mandatory form every LLC in Arkansas must file each year with the Secretary of State’s office. This provides important status updates to the state and confirms your company remains compliant with requirements.

Here are key facts about the Arkansas annual report:

• Required by Law: All LLCs formed in Arkansas must file this report annually. This applies to both domestic LLCs started in the state and foreign LLCs operating there.
• Submit to SOS: The reports must be filed with the Arkansas Secretary of State by the deadline each year to remain on record with the state.
• Confirm Details: The report verifies fundamental details about your LLC such as your registered agent, principal business address, management structure, business activities, industry classification, etc.
• Maintain Good Standing: Properly filing the report shows your LLC is active and compliant with all state laws and requirements, which is required to legally conduct business in Arkansas.
• Due Annually: LLC annual reports must be completed once per year by the May 1st filing deadline. You can’t just file a report once and be done forever.

As you can see, the annual report plays an important role in keeping your Arkansas LLC in authorized good standing and able to legitimately operate in the state. Don’t neglect this key annual legal responsibility!

Annual report filing requirements in Arkansas

Now that you understand the purpose and importance of the LLC annual report, let’s look at the specific filing requirements you must meet in Arkansas:

Information required

The Arkansas annual report form requires the following details to be provided about your LLC:

• The exact legal name of the LLC as originally registered in Arkansas formation documents
• Physical street address of your LLC’s primary place of business, whether in Arkansas or elsewhere
• Full legal names and primary residential or business addresses of all current LLC members and managers
• A brief description of your LLC’s key business activities, industry, products/services offered, etc.
• Name, business address, and contact information for your LLC’s registered agent on file in Arkansas
• The federal EIN number obtained for tax and banking purposes
• The file or entity identification number issued for your LLC by the Arkansas Secretary of State
• Name, official title, and address of a main contact person for your LLC such as an owner, executive, or managing member

Having all this detailed information available will make properly filling out every section of the annual report form much smoother. Be sure your LLC records and contact details are fully organized and up to date before the report filing time comes around.

Options for filing the annual report

You have three main options when it comes to submitting your completed annual report form in Arkansas:

File online

The simplest and fastest method is to file your annual report electronically online using the Arkansas Secretary of State’s official website and online filing system. You can access and fill out the report form digitally on their portal and then pay the standard $150 filing fee instantly by credit card. Online filing takes just a few minutes.

File by mail

Alternatively, you can fill out a physical paper version of the annual report form, sign it, and file your report by postal mail. You need to download or request the latest version of the form from the Secretary of State, complete it, sign it, and then mail the report along with a $150 check made payable to the SOS to:

Secretary of State
Business and Commercial Services Division
State Capitol, Suite 256
500 Woodlane Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72201

Be sure to make copies for your own records before sending and allow sufficient time for mailing delays.

Use a compliance service

Some LLC owners understandably prefer to have a professional registered agent service or compliance management company like Tailor Brands handle collecting and verifying their annual report information, filling out the forms, and filing everything with the state properly on their behalf. This can help ensure no steps are missed or reporting errors are made. We take care of the busywork so you can focus on operating your business!

Pay the $150 fee

No matter which filing method you choose, the standard $150 annual report filing fee must be paid upon submission to the Secretary of State. This fee goes towards the state government’s administrative costs for processing and reviewing the reports each year. You can pay online instantly by credit card or include a $150 check if filing by mail.

When’s the deadline for the annual report in Arkansas?

Here’s one of the most important things for all LLC owners to know about Arkansas’ annual report requirement — the strict filing deadline is May 1st of each year.

All LLC entities formed in Arkansas must have their annual reports filed by this date to remain compliant with state law and maintain active good standing status. Be sure to mark your calendars and set reminders early each year to avoid any stressful last minute rushing or unintentional missed deadlines leading to penalties.

For brand new LLCs formed later in the year, the initial deadline for filing the very first annual report will be different and based on specific formation date. Check with the Secretary of State’s office if you are unsure of the first report due date. But for existing LLCs, May 1st is the standard universal due date to remember for submitting all subsequent annual reports after the first year.

Consequences for missing the deadline

Failing to file your Arkansas annual report by the May 1st deadline can lead to various fees, penalties, and other negative consequences. If prolonged non-compliance occurs over multiple years, it could even result in total dissolution of your LLC. Here are some potential outcomes to be aware of:

Late filing fees

If your annual report is submitted late, incremental penalty fees will be assessed based on how late it is:

• 1-90 days past due – $25 late fee
• Over 90 days past due – $50 late fee

So leaving money on the table for avoidable late fees is one consequence of blowing the deadline. Make sure your Arkansas LLC gets its report in by May 1st!

Possible suspension

If your LLC goes multiple years without having its annual reports filed, Arkansas may order punitive suspension of your company’s good standing status and privileges. This can create major problems with continuing to legally conduct business in the state.

To get back in good standing, you would need to retroactively complete and file any missing reports and pay all applicable late fees first. It’s wise to just stay current with your filings instead!

Involuntary termination

In severe cases after several years of ongoing non-compliance, the Arkansas Secretary of State does have the authority to involuntarily terminate or administratively dissolve an LLC altogether. You definitely want to avoid getting into hot water with the SOS and letting it get to that point!

Revocation of authority

For foreign LLCs originally formed in another state but doing business in Arkansas, prolonged failure to file the annual report could potentially lead to revocation of their certificate of authority and privileges to operate in Arkansas. This would bar activity in the state.

As you can see, Arkansas does not mess around when it comes to enforcement of annual reporting compliance. Staying on top of your filings is the best way to avoid headaches like business disruptions, extra expenses, or worse down the road.

Let Tailor Brands handle your Arkansas LLC reporting

As you can see, properly and timely filing the annual report is critically important for all LLCs registered and actively operating in Arkansas. But you don’t have to remember all the steps and deadlines or manage this alone every single year. At Tailor Brands, we offer compliance services and allow you to create an LLC online to take this burden off LLC owners’ shoulders. We handle the annual reports on your behalf and help you do it on time.

With us, keeping your LLC legally compliant in Arkansas is simple and stress-free. Focus on running your profitable growing business while we handle the mandatory legal filings and obligations. 

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