Rhode Island charges $150 to form an LLC, filed as Articles of Organization with the Rhode Island Department of State online or on paper (as of October 2026). The real recurring cost is higher than in most states: a $50 annual report due between February 1 and May 1, plus a $400 minimum annual tax that the Department of State says applies whether or not the LLC earns a profit.
Plan on roughly $150 to file and about $450 a year after that in state charges. Below are the steps in order, from checking your name to registering with the Division of Taxation.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in Rhode Island (2026)
Our ranked picks for forming an LLC in Rhode Island are below, starting with Mainstay Filing. Each entry lists the yearly price and what the service covers.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | RI Registered Agent.org | Rhode Island registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Rhode Island Registered Agent.co | Rhode Island registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Rhode Island. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. RI Registered Agent.org
RI Registered Agent.org is a Rhode Island registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Rhode Island Registered Agent.co
Rhode Island Registered Agent.co is a Rhode Island registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Rhode Island LLC summary
| Item | Rhode Island (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Filing office | Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division |
| Formation document | Articles of Organization (domestic LLC) |
| State filing fee | $150 |
| Processing | Typically one to three business days |
| Annual report | $50, filed February 1 to May 1; $25 penalty if late |
| Minimum annual tax | $400, paid to the RI Division of Taxation |
| Name reservation | Holds a name for 120 days |
| Registered agent | RI resident or qualified entity with a RI street address |
Sources: the Department of State’s costs and fees page, start your business steps and annual report page.
How do I choose an LLC name in Rhode Island?
Your LLC name must identify the business as a limited liability company, and ending it in “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” does that. It also has to differ from names already in the Department of State’s database. The name guidance page gives a clear example: if “Acme Enterprises, LLC” exists, neither “Acme Enterprises Corporation” nor “Acme’s Enterprises, LLC” will be accepted.
Search the Rhode Island Corporate Database first. If you find an open name but are not ready to file, a name reservation holds it for 120 days. Our Rhode Island business search guide walks through the database and what the statuses mean.
Then make sure the name works online. Namechk checks domain and social handle availability at once, and the business name generator can suggest alternatives. A USPTO trademark search helps you avoid conflicts with registered brands, since a state filing does not give you trademark rights.
What are the registered agent rules in Rhode Island?
According to the Department of State’s formation steps, your registered agent must be a Rhode Island resident or an entity qualified to do business in the state. The agent needs a Rhode Island street address and must be available there during normal business hours to accept service of process.
Rhode Island is explicit about addresses it rejects: no P.O. boxes, no shipping or postal company addresses, and no virtual business addresses. The agent also matters for compliance. Each January the Department mails an annual report reminder to the registered agent, and if it comes back undeliverable, revocation proceedings begin for failing to maintain a registered office.
If you do not want to serve yourself, Mainstay Filing includes a Rhode Island registered agent for the first year with its formation package. For an agent alone, RI Registered Agent.org charges a flat $99 per year.
How do I file Rhode Island Articles of Organization?
File online through the Department of State’s business filing system (the “File Online” link on the start your business page), or complete the paper Articles of Organization and submit it by mail or in person at 148 W. River Street, Providence, RI 02904. The fee is $150 either way.
Have the core details ready before you start: the LLC name, your registered agent and the agent’s Rhode Island street address, your business address, and the name of the person signing as organizer. The online form prompts you for everything else.
The Department says filings may take one to three business days to process. Wait for confirmation that your filing was accepted before you apply for an EIN or open accounts in the LLC’s name.
For a side-by-side look at state fees and service costs, see the Rhode Island LLC cost guide from Mainstay Filing.
Do I need an operating agreement?
Rhode Island does not require you to file an operating agreement with the state. You should still have one. It sets out ownership percentages, who manages the company, how profits are distributed, and how members can leave or transfer their interests.
For a single-member LLC, the agreement is a simple way to show the business is separate from you personally. Banks often want to see it before opening an account.
How do I get an EIN and register for Rhode Island taxes?
Once your filing is accepted, apply for a free Employer Identification Number on the IRS website. You will need it for banking, payroll and tax returns.
Next, register with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation. The Department of State notes a $400 minimum tax each tax year, owed even if the LLC has no activity or profit. If you have employees or make retail sales, complete the Business Application and Registration (BAR) form to open sales tax and unemployment tax accounts.
When is the Rhode Island annual report due?
Rhode Island LLCs file an annual report between February 1 and May 1 every year, starting the year after formation. The fee is $50, and online filing adds a small processing charge. Reports filed after the deadline incur a $25 penalty beginning June 1.
LLCs that stay delinquent can be revoked. A revoked entity is not in good standing and must take extra steps before it can file again, which can hold up loans, contracts and license renewals.
Which licenses does a Rhode Island LLC need?
Rhode Island does not issue a general statewide business license. Licenses depend on what you do and where you do it, so use the Department of State’s RI Business Assistant, which builds a list of the licenses, regulations and fees that apply to your business. Cities and towns may add their own permits.
Our guide to starting a business in Rhode Island covers permits, insurance and banking in more detail.
Rhode Island LLC FAQs
How much does an LLC cost in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island charges $150 to file Articles of Organization as of October 2026. Each year after that, the LLC files a $50 annual report and pays the $400 minimum annual tax to the Division of Taxation, which the Department of State says applies whether or not the business earns a profit. That is about $450 a year in state charges.
When is the Rhode Island LLC annual report due?
Rhode Island LLC annual reports are filed between February 1 and May 1 each year. The fee is $50, and a $25 penalty applies to reports filed late, starting June 1. LLCs that remain delinquent can be revoked, which takes them out of good standing until the problem is fixed.
Does a Rhode Island LLC have to pay the $400 minimum tax?
Yes. The Rhode Island Department of State notes that businesses registered with the state owe a minimum $400 tax to the Division of Taxation each tax year, even with no activity or profit. It is not prorated, so an LLC formed late in the year still owes the full amount for that year.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Rhode Island?
The Rhode Island Department of State says a filing may take one to three business days to process. Filing online is usually the most direct route. Confirm that your Articles of Organization were accepted before you apply for an EIN or register with the Division of Taxation.
Who can be a registered agent in Rhode Island?
A Rhode Island resident or an entity qualified to do business in the state can serve as registered agent. The agent needs a Rhode Island street address and must be available during normal business hours. P.O. boxes, shipping or postal company addresses and virtual business addresses are not accepted.
Can I reserve an LLC name in Rhode Island?
Yes. The Department of State offers an online name reservation that holds an entity name for 120 days. Check the name against the Department’s corporate database first, because a name too similar to an existing one, including one that only changes the ending or adds a possessive, will be rejected.
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