Form a Rhode Island LLC with StartGlobal
$399 state fee included
EIN, operating agreement and first-year agent service included. Nothing else to buy.
Rhode Island LLC costs at a glance
| Cost | When | Applies in Rhode Island | With StartGlobal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | Once, to form | Yes | Included in $399 |
| Registered agent | Every year | Yes, or be your own | Year one included, then $99/yr |
| Annual Report | Every year | Yes | Optional filing service, $299/yr |
| State tax or yearly charge | See below | Yes, see below | Paid to the state |
| EIN | Once | For a bank account or staff | Included in $399 |
| Operating agreement | Once | Recommended | Included in $399 |
| Local business licences | Varies | Depends on city, county and trade | Paid to the issuer |
Forming the LLC
Rhode Island LLCs are formed by filing a Articles of Organization with the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division, which accepts filings online. The state charges a one-time fee to accept it; the fee is the same whether you file yourself or use a service, and StartGlobal includes it in the $399.
Keeping it active
Rhode Island LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between February 1 and May 1 each year. The first one is due between February 1 and May 1 of the calendar year after the LLC is formed.
LLCs not taxed as a corporation owe Rhode Island's annual minimum corporate fee to the Division of Taxation, filed with Form RI-1065, even if the LLC conducted no business.
You also need a registered agent in Rhode Island every year. Ours is included for the first year and $99 a year after; you can act as your own if you have a Rhode Island address and are there in business hours.
- A late penalty applies to annual reports not filed within the February 1 to May 1 window.
- Every LLC must keep a Resident Agent with a Rhode Island street address; P.O. boxes and virtual addresses are not allowed for the Resident Office.
What a "$0" Rhode Island LLC costs over three years
Formation, a registered agent every year and an EIN, at each provider's published prices. The Rhode Island filing fee is added on top of theirs and included in ours.
| Three years | |
|---|---|
| ZenBusiness Starter Registered agent is a $199/yr add-on from day one. | $696 + Rhode Island filing fee |
| LegalZoom Basic Registered agent is $249/yr. | $826 + Rhode Island filing fee |
| Bizee Basic Registered agent free for year one, then $149/yr. | $368 + Rhode Island filing fee |
| StartGlobal State fee, first-year agent and EIN included. Agent $99/yr after. | $597, all in |
Over three years our price is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom in every state. Bizee's first agent year is free, which can make it cheaper depending on the state fee. Filing yourself costs only the state fee.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island charges a one-time fee to file the Articles of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399 with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. After that: Rhode Island LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between February 1 and May 1 each year.
What are the yearly costs of a Rhode Island LLC?
Rhode Island LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between February 1 and May 1 each year. LLCs not taxed as a corporation owe Rhode Island's annual minimum corporate fee to the Division of Taxation, filed with Form RI-1065, even if the LLC conducted no business. You also need a registered agent in Rhode Island every year, unless you act as your own.
Is there a cheaper way to form a Rhode Island LLC?
Yes: file the Articles of Organization yourself with the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division, act as your own registered agent and get your EIN from the IRS for free. It costs only the state fee and your time.
Does a $0 LLC service cost nothing in Rhode Island?
No. The Rhode Island filing fee is charged on top of a "$0" formation, and registered agent service and the EIN are usually add-ons. Over three years our $399 all-in is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom at their published prices.
