Bookkeeping, payroll and tax help for Arlington businesses
Arlington businesses pay no state income tax, but they collect 8.25% sales tax, render business property to the Tarrant Appraisal District by April 15 and file a Texas franchise tax report every May. We keep your books, run payroll and file your federal and Texas returns for one flat monthly fee.
Updated November 2026
What's different about running a business in Arlington?
Arlington's entertainment district, with its stadiums, ballpark and theme park, draws millions of visitors a year, and a lot of local businesses live on that traffic. We work with restaurants and bars, event staffing and catering companies, short-term rental hosts, auto parts and manufacturing suppliers, and the student-focused businesses around the university.
Event-driven businesses have lumpy revenue: a big game weekend can be a month's sales. That makes cash flow planning, seasonal staff payroll and on-time sales tax filing more important than usual. Event staffing companies also have to classify workers carefully, because part-time event workers are often employees, not contractors.
Short-term rental hosts near the venues owe Texas hotel occupancy tax on stays under 30 days, plus local hotel taxes. Arlington is in Tarrant County, and business personal property renditions go to the Tarrant Appraisal District by April 15.
What does a typical Arlington client need from us?
Payroll for seasonal and event staff, sales and hotel tax returns that keep up with busy weekends, and books that show which events actually made money. With that view, owners can staff up for the weekends that pay and cut back on the ones that don't, instead of guessing from the bank balance.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sales tax rate | 8.25%: 6.25% state plus 2% for the city and its special districts |
| County | Tarrant County |
| Appraisal district | Tarrant Appraisal District. Business personal property renditions are due April 15 |
| State income tax | None on wages or business profit |
| Franchise tax | Report due May 15. No tax due at or under $2,650,000 of revenue, but the information report is still required |
| Payroll | Federal withholding plus Texas unemployment tax (TWC) on the first $9,000 of wages |
Nearby areas we also serve
Sources
- Texas Comptroller: Sales and use tax
- Texas Comptroller: Franchise tax
- Texas Workforce Commission: Employers
- Texas Comptroller: Property tax rendition
- Texas Comptroller: Hotel occupancy tax
General information, not tax advice for your situation.
Running a business in Arlington?
One accountant for your books, payroll, sales tax and both returns, on one monthly fee.
Book a callWhich Arlington businesses do we work with?
Owners who want one person on their numbers all year.
Restaurants and bars
Event-weekend sales tax, tips and shift payroll.
Event staffing and catering
Worker classification and seasonal payroll.
Short-term rental hosts
Hotel occupancy tax, rental books and depreciation.
Manufacturing suppliers
Inventory, cost of goods sold and equipment write-offs.
Auto repair and parts
Parts and labor split for sales tax.
Student-facing businesses
Seasonal cash flow and part-time payroll.
What can we take off your plate?
Every service works the same wherever you are. One job, or all of it every month.
Bookkeeping
from $250/mo
Monthly books in QuickBooks Online or Xero, plus catch-up work when you're behind.
See the servicePayroll
setup from $200
Gusto or ADP set up, run and filed for your whole team.
See the serviceSales tax
from $75/mo
Nexus checks, permits and returns in every state where you owe.
See the serviceBusiness tax returns
from $650
Form 1065, 1120-S or 1120 plus your state returns, prepared and e-filed.
See the servicePersonal tax returns
from $450
Form 1040 and your state return for owners, freelancers and families.
See the serviceTax planning and CFO
review from $350
Entity choice, owner salary, quarterly estimates and forecasts.
See the serviceLLC formation
from $299 + state fee
Your LLC in any state, the EIN and an S-Corp election if it fits.
See the serviceITIN and cross-border
from $300
ITINs, US expat returns, non-resident returns and Form 5472.
See the serviceWhat is the sales tax rate in Arlington, Texas?
It's 8.25%: 6.25% for the state plus 2% for the city and its special districts.
Are event staff employees or contractors?
Usually employees, if you set their schedules and direct the work. Misclassifying them brings back payroll taxes and penalties.
Which appraisal district covers Arlington?
The Tarrant Appraisal District. Business personal property renditions are due April 15.
Tell us what's messy. We'll tell you what it takes.
Tell us what you need and get a fixed price before any work starts. No pressure and no contract.