Settling into a new area, new home and new routine isn’t easy. This useful information will help make your transition a bit smoother.

What to Do

First Things First
You’ll have to become familiar with your local revenue office after moving to Arkansas. The Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration handles most of the important post-move errands you’ll need to complete fairly soon after settling in. Here are a few of the things you can mark off your to-do list at your local DFA:

• Register your vehicle
• Get an Arkansas driver’s license
• Pay property taxes

Driving Requirements
While you’re at the revenue office, take care of any outstanding driving requirements, too. After residing in Arkansas for 30 days, newcomers are required to obtain a vehicle tax assessment and register the vehicle to receive a new license plate and driver’s license – or risk getting fined.

Voter Registration
You can register to vote at any state revenue office, public library, county clerk’s office or public assistance agency. You can also mail an application to your county clerk’s office or the Arkansas Secretary of State 30 days prior to the next election. Make sure you have received a voter ID card before you vote. The registration process isn’t complete without it.

Where to Go

Revenue Offices
Benton: 215 North Main St. | (501) 778-4876
Bryant: Stonebridge Center, 101 G NW 3rd St. | (501) 847-5080
Cabot: 1604 S. Pine St., Suite F | (501) 843-5836
Conway: 2455 Washington Ave., Suite 105 | (501) 329-2601
Jacksonville: 4 Crestview Plaza | (501) 982-5962
Little Rock Central: 1900 W. Seventh St., Room 1040 | (501) 682-7076
Little Rock Southwest: 3 State Police Plaza Drive, Suite 300 | (501) 682-0410
Little Rock West: 9108 N. Rodney Parham Road, Suite 107 | (501) 324-9243
Maumelle: 550 Edgewood Drive, Suite 580 | (501) 851-7688
North Little Rock: 2655 Pike Ave. A, Pike Plaza Shopping Center | (501) 324-9246
Sherwood: 6929 JFK Blvd., Suite 22, Indian Hills Shopping Center (NLR) | (501) 835-6904

City Halls
Benton: 114 S. East St. | (501) 776-5900
Bryant: 210 SW 3rd St. | (501) 943-0999
Cabot: 101 N. Second St. | (501) 843-3566
Conway: 1201 Oak St. | (501) 450-6100
Jacksonville: 1 Municipal Drive | (501) 982-3181
Little Rock: 500 W. Markham St., Suite 203 | (501) 371-4500
Maumelle: 550 Edgewood Drive, Suite 590 | (501) 851-2500
North Little Rock: 300 N. Main St. | (501) 340-5318
Sherwood: 2199 E. Kiehl Ave. | (501) 835-5319

A Pretty Penny

Arkansas is a great place to live. In fact, the state has the fourth best cost of living in the U.S. and the seventh best quality of life per a recent U.S. News & World Report “Best States” list. But you’ve got to take the good with the bad — and by bad, we mean the sales tax rates.

  • Arkansas has a state sales tax of 6.5% and allows local governments to collect even more. Little Rock's total sales tax rate is 9%. Nearby, Conway's is 9.125%, and Bryant's is a staggering 9.875%­ — making Metro Little Rock's sales tax rates among the highest in the country.
  • Arkansas has the 19th highest spirits sales tax in the country. State wine excise taxes per gallon are $1.35 (13th highest) and beer excise taxes per gallon are $0.35 (18th highest).
  • Saline county has a 6.5% combined sales tax.
  • Faulkner county’s combined sales tax is 7%. However, the city of Conway adds 1.75% to the 7% county sales tax, making it a whopping 8.75%.
*Sales tax rate information gathered from the Tax Foundation and sale-tax.com

Pay the Piper

Arkansas residents pay personal property taxes each year. What are those?

Personal property taxes are an annual tax imposed on movable assets — mobile homes, RVs, vehicles, boats, planes, machinery, etc. The portion of your vehicle’s registration or license fee that’s based on the value of the vehicle is considered a personal property tax.

Cheers to Your New Home!

  • Half of Arkansas’ counties are dry.
  • Bars must close at 2 a.m.
  • Beware of Sunday liquor laws; most grocers and liquor stores prohibit beer, wine and liquor sales.*
  • You can still have a Sunday Funday! Restaurants and bars are still allowed to serve spirits on Sundays.
*There are exceptions based on county, district and wards.