Filed with
Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division
Document
Articles of Organization
Recurring filing
Every year
- 01
Choose a name for your Rhode Island LLC
Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division business filings →The name must include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" at the end. It also has to be distinguishable from every business already on the Rhode Island register.
Search the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division business records before you file.
- 02
Choose a registered agent
Every Rhode Island LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in Rhode Island, available in business hours to accept legal papers and state notices.
You can be your own agent, but your address goes on the public record and you need to be there during business hours. A registered agent service keeps your home address off the filing.
- 03
File your Articles of Organization
Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division →The Articles of Organization is the document that creates your LLC. It is filed with the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division, which accepts it online.
It names the LLC, its registered agent and address, and whether it is managed by its members or by managers.
- 04
Write an operating agreement
Rhode Island operating agreement rules and free generator →The operating agreement sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are shared and how decisions are made. It is not filed with the state, but banks often ask for it, and without one your state’s default rules decide disputes between members.
- 05
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number from the IRS is the LLC’s federal tax number. You need it to open a business bank account and to hire, and it is free from the IRS.
- 06
Open a business bank account
Keep the LLC’s money separate from yours from the first day. Mixing them is the most common reason courts set aside an LLC’s liability protection.
- 07
Get the licenses your business needs
Rhode Island business license lookup →Forming the LLC is not a business license. Check whether Rhode Island requires a state license, what your city or county requires, and whether your trade is licensed. If you sell taxable goods or services, register for Rhode Island sales tax too.
- 08
Keep your Rhode Island LLC in good standing
Compliance deadline tracker →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.
Worth knowing in Rhode Island
- 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.
Or have it done for $399
We check your name, file your Articles of Organization with the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division and pay the state fee, act as your Rhode Island registered agent for the first year, get your EIN and write your operating agreement. One price, nothing else to buy.
Sources
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Frequently asked questions
How do I start an LLC in Rhode Island?
Choose an available name, appoint a registered agent in Rhode Island, and file a Articles of Organization with the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division. Then write an operating agreement, get an EIN from the IRS and open a business bank account.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island charges a filing fee for 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. See our Rhode Island LLC cost page for the yearly costs.
Does a Rhode Island LLC have to file an annual report?
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.
What is the Articles of Organization?
The document filed with the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division that creates your LLC. It gives the LLC's name, its registered agent and registered office in Rhode Island, and how it is managed.
Can I be my own registered agent in Rhode Island?
Yes, if you have a physical address in Rhode Island and are there during business hours. That address becomes part of the public record.
