Form Your Rhode Island LLC
Start your business in the Ocean State with access to New England markets, world-class design schools, and a growing innovation ecosystem
Filed in Rhode Island
The Ocean State · RI
- State filing fee$150
- Processing time1-2 business days online; longer by mail
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$50 — due Feb 1 - May 1 annually
- State tax rate7% flat corporate income tax
Form your Rhode Island LLC — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
- Encrypted storage
- 256-bit SSL
- All 50 states
- 30-day money-back
Everything to launch your Rhode Island LLC
Free formation means you pay only the $150 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Organization filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Rhode Island — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Operating agreement
Professionally drafted operating agreement — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an LLC in Rhode Island
Rhode Island offers a compact but dynamic business environment with access to New England markets and the Boston metro area. The state's strong design heritage (RISD), research universities (Brown), and growing innovation ecosystem create unique opportunities.
Remove or replace — RI imposes a $400 mandatory annual minimum tax on LLCs
No publication requirement
Access to New England markets and Boston metro area
Strong healthcare, education, and design industries
Growing innovation ecosystem with RISD and Brown University
Affordable compared to neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut
Key features of a Rhode Island LLC
- Remove or replace — RI imposes a $400 annual minimum tax on LLCs
- No publication requirement
- Access to Boston and New England markets
- Strong design and creative sector
Major industries in Rhode Island
Form your Rhode Island LLC in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 1-2 business days online; longer by mail.
- 01
Choose Your LLC Name
Your name must include 'Limited Liability Company,' 'LLC,' or 'L.L.C.' Check availability through the Rhode Island Secretary of State's business name search.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent
Rhode Island requires a registered agent with a physical address in the state to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC.
- 03
File Articles of Organization
Submit your Articles of Organization to the Rhode Island Secretary of State. The filing fee is $150. Online filing is available.
- 04
Create an Operating Agreement
Rhode Island does not require an Operating Agreement, but having one is strongly recommended to define management and member responsibilities.
- 05
Obtain an EIN
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for tax filing, banking, and hiring employees.
- 06
File Annual Report
Rhode Island LLCs must file an annual report each year during the February 1 – May 1 window. The fee is $50.
Rhode Island LLC costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Rhode Island LLC requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Rhode Island LLC in 2026.
- File Articles of Organization with RI Secretary of State ($150)
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Rhode Island address
- Create an Operating Agreement (recommended)
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File annual report during the February 1 – May 1 window ($50)
- Obtain necessary business licenses
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Filing agency
- Rhode Island Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Operating agreement
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $50 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $150 Rhode Island state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, operating agreement, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Organization filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Rhode Island)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Operating agreement
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Rhode Island LLC questions, answered
Common questions about forming an LLC in Rhode Island. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Rhode Island?
The state filing fee is $150. The annual report fee is $50. Our service fee starts at $100 plus the state fee.
When is the Rhode Island annual report due?
The annual report must be filed during the February 1 – May 1 window each year. The fee is $50.
Does Rhode Island have a franchise tax?
Rhode Island imposes a $400 mandatory annual minimum tax on LLCs (the floor of the corporate income tax), payable regardless of profit or activity.
Is Rhode Island close to Boston?
Yes. Providence is about 50 miles from Boston, offering access to the Greater Boston market and talent pool while benefiting from lower costs.
Can I form a Rhode Island LLC online?
Yes, you can file your Articles of Organization online through the Rhode Island Secretary of State's website.
What is Rhode Island known for in business?
Rhode Island has strengths in healthcare, education, design/arts (RISD), defense (Naval War College, submarine base), and a growing tech startup scene.
Rhode Island government filing resources
Filing fees for common LLC services
Official Rhode Island state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$50.00 for both business corporations and LLCs (same fee across entity types).
Fee varies by entity type: for-profit/all other entities $10 base + $0.15 per page.
$5 per document by mail or in person.
Must include a Certificate of Good Standing/Letter of Status from the home state/country dated within 60 days.
Learn moreRhode Island does not publish a single flat reinstatement fee or a standardized downloadable reinstatement form for LLCs.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Rhode Island LLC
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
Form your company in any state
Pick a state to see its filing fee and processing time — then start in minutes.
Ready to form your Rhode Island LLC?
Formation is free — you pay only the $150 Rhode Island state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 1-2 business days online; longer by mail.
No hidden fees · 100% accuracy guarantee · 30-day money back · All 50 states