Rhode Island LLC Cost

What does it cost to start a business in Rhode Island? Filing your LLC documents in Rhode Island is just one of several costs you may have to pay when starting a Rhode Island LLC.

Rhode Island LLC Filing Fee.- $156

It costs $156 to file your Rhode Island LLC’s Articles of Organization, which legally creates your LLC.

Rhode Island LLC Name Reservation – $50

If you would like to select and reserve a particular LLC name before officially filing your Articles of Organization, you can reserve the name with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.

A Rhode Island LLC name reservation costs $50.

Annual Taxes in Rhode Island – Rates Vary

The Rhode Island Department of Revenue’s Division of Taxation requires an LLC to pay corporate taxes annually.  Rhode Island corporate taxes are at 7% of your LLC’s federal taxable income, minus state deductions, or $400, whichever is greater.

Rhode Island LLC Resident Agent – Rates Vary

Free or costs vary: In Rhode Island, you can serve as your LLC’s Resident Agent, also called a Registered Agent, as long as you fit within the Resident Agent requirements. If you serve as your LLC’s Resident Agent, you won’t have to pay anything.

To be your LLC’s Resident Agent, you do have to be available to accept service of process on behalf of your LLC during regular business hours and maintain a physical office within Rhode Island.  Sometimes, that is difficult when you want to focus on other aspects of your business.

Because of these requirements, businesses often hire an LLC Resident Agent. We offer a service to help you find a Rhode Island Resident Agent that will fit the bill and abide by Rhode Island’s Resident Agent requirements.

Certificate of Good Standing

A Rhode Island certificate of good standing or Certificate of Legal Existence, is a document you often have to provide to banks and other businesses to show that your LLC legally exists in Rhode Island. Ordering a Certificate of Good Standing online costs $22. If you order your Certificate of Good Standing in person, by phone, or by mail, it costs $20.

Business Application and Registration with Rhode Island Department of Revenue

Registering with the Rhode Island Department of Revenue is one potential cost to start a business in Rhode Island. If your LLC is making retail sales, you will have to pay $10 to register your LLC. However, registration is free if your LLC won’t be engaged in retail sales.

Letter of Good Standing

A Letter of Good Standing from the Rhode Island Department of Revenue tells other parties, particularly investors, that your LLC has paid its annual taxes and is in good standing with the Rhode Island Department of Revenue. A Letter of Good Standing for your Rhode Island LLC costs $50.

Rhode Island DBA Name

In some cases, an LLC would like to use different names to do business. In that case, you will need to register your Rhode Island LLCs DBA name with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. Registering your LLC’s DBA name costs $50.

Foreign LLC Registration

If you have an LLC formed in a state other than Rhode Island and you would like to do business in Rhode Island, you need to register your LLC in Rhode Island. Your out-of-state LLC is considered a “foreign” LLC because it was created in another state.

The average cost to start a business in Rhode Island may be different from starting a business in another state. However, one thing remains the same: you will need to register your Foreign LLC with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. The cost of filing your Foreign LLC Registration is $150.

Business Licensing Fees

Your LLC may need to obtain a business license depending on the type of business you plan on operating. Rhode Island’s Department of Business Regulation has a list of licenses that the state of Rhode Island issues and the application costs of each. Licensing costs vary.

If you’re not sure what kind of business license your LLC will need, we can help. We’ve partnered with Avalara to help you discover whether you need a business license and how to apply for that license.

For just $0 plus state fees, we can form your Rhode Island LLC for you in just minutes. No LegalZoom promo code required: Pay just $0 plus filing fees for fast LLC formation in Rhode Island. 

If you don’t pay your filing fee for an LLC, then the Secretary of State of Rhode Island won’t accept and file your Certificate of Organization. You won’t obtain LLC status. You won’t enjoy the personal asset protection that an LLC offers.

You can also face penalties if you don’t file your annual report. LLCs must file their annual reports between September 1 and November 1 every year except for the year they formed.  If you don’t pay on time, you’ll first have to pay a $2

If you don’t pay your filing fee for an LLC, then the Secretary of State of Rhode Island won’t accept and file your Certificate of Organization. You won’t obtain LLC status. You won’t enjoy the personal asset protection that an LLC offers.

You can also face penalties if you don’t file your annual report. LLCs must file their annual reports between September 1 and November 1 every year except for the year they formed.  If you don’t pay on time, you’ll first have to pay a $2

The Rhode Island Secretary of State receives the filing fees for forming a Rhode Island LLC.

The largest fee you will pay for forming a Rhode Island LLC is $156 for filing your Articles of Organization with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.

How you can pay your Rhode Island filing fees depends on how you file your LLC Articles of Organization. If you file by mail, you can pay your Rhode Island LLC filing fee by check. You can pay by cash, check, or credit card if you file in person. If you decide to file online, you can pay by credit card.