Free Arkansas General Bill of Sale
Arkansas's general bill of sale is governed by Ark. Code Ann. § 4-2 (the state's Uniform Commercial Code), which means an "as-is" disclaimer must be conspicuous — written in capitals or bold — to be enforceable. Arkansas courts routinely uphold clearly stated as-is clauses in private sales, but a buried disclaimer in regular type can be challenged. Notarization is not required by law but is recommended for items valued over $1,000 to deter future disputes.
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Arkansas General Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
6.5% state sales tax plus local levies applies to most tangible personal property sold by dealers or businesses. Occasional casual sales between private individuals may not trigger a sales-tax collection obligation on the seller, but buyers may owe use tax.
Arkansas General Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Identify the item with enough specificity that it cannot be confused with another: description, brand, model, serial number or unique identifier, and condition.
- State the full purchase price (or, if gifted, write "$0 — Gift" and note the relationship).
- Include both parties' full legal names, addresses, and contact information.
- Add an AS-IS clause in ALL CAPS or bold if you are selling without warranty: e.g., "SOLD AS-IS, WHERE-IS, WITH NO WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED."
- Both parties sign and date the document; each keeps a copy.
- For items over $1,000, have signatures notarized — a notary is available at most Arkansas banks and DFA offices for a nominal fee.
- Retain the bill of sale for at least 5 years (Arkansas small-claims limit is $5,000; keeping records beyond the small-claims period is prudent).
Common Pitfalls
- Writing an as-is disclaimer in the same font and size as the rest of the document — under Arkansas UCC § 4-2, a warranty disclaimer must be "conspicuous" or a court may disregard it.
- Omitting a serial number or unique identifier when one exists — a vague description like "one used lawnmower" leaves room for the buyer to dispute which item was sold.
- Assuming notarization is always optional: while Arkansas does not require notarization for most personal property sales, certain items (boats, trailers) may require a notarized bill of sale at the DMV or revenue office.
- Not keeping a copy — the $5,000 Arkansas small-claims court limit means even mid-value items can end up in litigation, and the bill of sale is your primary evidence.
Pro Tip
A well-drafted Arkansas bill of sale for general personal property needs four things to hold up in court: a specific item description, a conspicuous as-is clause (if applicable), both parties' signatures, and a retained copy. Everything else is a bonus.