arkansas department of finance and administration

Arkansas lawmakers to again consider extending special tax on medical marijuana

BY: - March 27, 2023

Arkansas’ special tax on medical marijuana transactions sunsets in July, but the state Legislature will soon consider extending it for at least two more years. The 4% excise tax generates millions annually for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ pursuit of recognition from the National Cancer Institute, known as NCI designation. Since its 2017 […]

Arkansas lawmakers to consider increasing homestead tax credit

BY: - January 30, 2023

The Arkansas Legislature is poised to increase the state’s homestead tax credit; the question: How much? House Bill 1032 by Rep. Lanny Fite (R-Benton) would increase the Homestead Property Tax Credit from $375 a year to $425 in 2024. Fite explained his bill last week to the House Revenue and Tax Committee, but he plans […]

Arkansas House approves bill to increase vehicle registration deadline from 30 to 60 days

BY: - January 24, 2023

The Arkansas House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to double the amount of time Arkansans have to register new vehicles. House Bill 1150 by Rep. Fran Cavenaugh (R-Walnut Ridge) would increase the period residents have to register newly purchased vehicles from 30 to 60 days. It would also lengthen the deadline for new residents to […]

Black woman holding newborn baby in hospital bed

Remainder of $1M pregnancy resource center grant will be distributed this month

BY: - January 4, 2023

Arkansas’ grant for pregnancy resource centers will assist a total of 23 facilities after distributing the rest of the $1 million grant fund created in 2022, according to the state Department of Finance and Administration. The taxpayer-funded grant supports “crisis pregnancy centers,” maternity homes, adoption agencies, and “social service agencies that provide material support and […]

Most Arkansas pregnancy center grant applicants awarded requested state funds

BY: - September 26, 2022

Twelve of the 16 applicants for Arkansas’ $1 million grant program meant to assist pregnancy resource centers will receive the full amounts requested in August, according to data the state Department of Finance and Administration released Monday. Two organizations will only get some of the money they requested, and the final two will get none, […]

Pregnancy centers outline advertising plans in Arkansas grant applications

BY: - September 23, 2022

Many of the Arkansas crisis pregnancy centers that applied for state funding hope to use the money for digital advertising, including targeted ads aimed at Arkansans who might have an unplanned pregnancy, according to the applications. Applicants also hope to use a portion of the taxpayer-funded grant to pay for physical advertising, rent and utilities, […]

A pregnant woman on a couch talking to another person.

Arkansas groups seek more than $275,000 total from state fund aimed at encouraging birth

BY: - August 29, 2022

This story was updated on Aug. 31, 2022. Twelve Arkansas pregnancy resource centers are among 16 groups that applied for a share of the state’s $1 million grant program created this year to help fund crisis pregnancy centers, adoption agencies and maternity homes. The other applicants include an adoption agency, a maternity care home, a […]

A diverse group of protestors hold signs calling for the cancellation of school loan debt

Arkansas officials: No determination yet on tax liability for student loan forgiveness

BY: - August 29, 2022

Arkansas tax authorities haven’t yet decided whether borrowers must pay state income tax on canceled debt under President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. Discharged debt is typically taxable as income. However, under the American Rescue Plan Act, student loan forgiveness between 2021 and 2025 is not subject to federal taxes.  Arkansas is one of […]

A counselor holds a pregnant woman's hands during a session.

Arkansas’ $1M pregnancy resource center grant untouched so far

BY: - August 18, 2022

Arkansas’ crisis pregnancy centers so far have declined to apply for a new $1 million grant program created by the state Legislature to help fund their operations. The application period opened Aug. 1 and ends Aug. 26, but no one has applied for the money aimed at helping those facing unintended pregnancy and encouraging them […]