- Filing fee
- $156
- Annual Report (Form 632)
- $50
- First-year gov. cost
- $556
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Rhode Island will accept
Must end with an appropriate designator (e.g., LLC) and be distinguishable on state records.
Search existing Rhode Island business names before you commit. Rhode Island naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Resident Agent must have a physical Rhode Island street address and be available during business hours.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare Rhode Island registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization (Form 400)
Submit it to the Secretary of State, Division of Business Services through the official filing portal and pay $156. $150 statutory paper fee plus an unavoidable $6 enhanced access fee for online filing.
Processing: online 1 to 3 business days; by mail 1 to 3 business days plus mail transit. Expedite: Does not offer a paid expedited processing tier..
Write an operating agreement
Recommended for internal liability and management structuring but not required to be filed.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Annual Report (Form 632) ($50), due February 1 to May 1. $25 late penalty attaches on June 1 Rhode Island report deadlines.
Every Rhode Island LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form 400) | $156 | $150 statutory paper fee plus an unavoidable $6 enhanced access fee for online filing. |
| Annual Report (Form 632) | $50 | annual, February 1 to May 1 |
| Minimum state tax | $400 | Owed regardless of income |
| Name reservation (optional) | $50 | 120 days |
| Change of registered agent | $20 | Requires filing Form 642. |
| Amendment | $52.5 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $22 | |
| Certificate of Authority | $150 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Articles of Dissolution (Form 404) | $50 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $50 | state |
How Rhode Island compares nationally
- Rhode Island's filing fee of $156 is the 10th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Rhode Island's first-year government cost of $556 is the 2nd highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Rhode Island's yearly cost after that of $450 is the 3rd highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Secretary of State, Division of Business Services costs $156 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Rhode Island street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before Rhode Island's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Rhode Island fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $156 | $0 |
| Northwest | $195 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $156 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
Strict $400 minimum annual corporate tax on every LLC regardless of profit or activity. Pass-through income taxed up to 5.99%.
What's different about Rhode Island
- Inescapable $400 minimum entity tax makes holding companies extremely expensive.
- Minimum tax applies even if the business generated zero revenue or was completely inactive.
More Rhode Island LLC guides
Rhode Island LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Rhode Island?
The Secretary of State, Division of Business Services charges $156 to file the Articles of Organization (Form 400). Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $556 in government fees ($156 online formation plus the inescapable $400 minimum tax applied to the year of formation.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Rhode Island?
Online: 1 to 3 business days. By mail: 1 to 3 business days plus mail transit. Expedited: Does not offer a paid expedited processing tier..
Does a Rhode Island LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. Rhode Island requires the Annual Report (Form 632), which costs $50, filed annual. Due: February 1 to May 1. $25 late penalty attaches on June 1
Can I be my own registered agent in Rhode Island?
Yes. Resident Agent must have a physical Rhode Island street address and be available during business hours. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Rhode Island require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Rhode Island has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Rhode Island?
Recommended for internal liability and management structuring but not required to be filed.
What taxes does a Rhode Island LLC pay to the state?
Strict $400 minimum annual corporate tax on every LLC regardless of profit or activity. Pass-through income taxed up to 5.99%.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.