After registering for sales tax in Arkansas, businesses must fulfill several ongoing obligations to maintain compliance:

1. Tax Collection: Continuously collect state and applicable local sales taxes on all taxable sales.

2. Accurate Record-Keeping: Maintain detailed records of all sales transactions, including taxable and exempt sales, to support tax filings and audits.

3. Regular Filings: Submit sales tax returns according to the assigned filing frequency (monthly, quarterly, or annually), reporting the total sales and tax collected.

4. Timely Remittance: Remit the collected sales taxes to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) by the specified deadlines to avoid penalties.

5. Stay Updated on Tax Rates: Monitor and apply any changes in state, county, or city tax rates to ensure accurate tax collection.

6. Use Tax Compliance: Report and remit use tax for out-of-state purchases used within Arkansas, if applicable.

7. Renewal and Updates: Keep the sales tax permit information up-to-date, including changes in business structure, address, or ownership.

8. Respond to Audits: Cooperate with any audits conducted by the DFA, providing necessary documentation and records to verify compliance.

9. Maintain Exemption Certificates: Properly manage and store exemption certificates for tax-exempt sales, ensuring they are valid and up-to-date.

10. Implement Compliance Systems: Utilize accounting software or tax management tools to automate tax calculations and filings, reducing errors and enhancing efficiency.

These ongoing obligations ensure that businesses remain compliant with Arkansas’s sales tax regulations, avoiding fines, penalties, and potential legal issues.