Rhode Island LLC Cost and Filing Fees (2026)
The main cost to start a Rhode Island LLC is the Articles of Organization filing fee of $150 paid to the Rhode Island Secretary of State, plus an annual report fee of $50 each year. A federal EIN is free, and other costs (name reservation, registered agent, expedite) are optional. Always confirm current amounts on the state fee schedule.
Quick Answer
- Formation fee
- $150 — Articles of Organization to the Rhode Island Secretary of State
- Annual report
- $50 per year
- EIN
- Free from the IRS
- Name reservation
- Optional; set by the state fee schedule
- Registered agent
- Free if you serve yourself; commercial agents charge annually
- Sales tax permit
- Register with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation
The $150 Formation Fee
To create a Rhode Island LLC you file Articles of Organization with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. The state filing fee is $150. This is the one unavoidable cost of forming the LLC, and paying it (and the state's acceptance of the filing) is what legally brings the LLC into existence.
You can file online, which is the fastest route and provides quick confirmation. The fee is set by the state and is the same whether you file yourself or use a service — a filing service simply adds its own charge on top. Confirm the current amount on the Rhode Island Secretary of State fee schedule before filing, since state fees can change. See how to form a Rhode Island LLC for the full process.
The $50 Annual Report Fee
After formation, a Rhode Island LLC must file an annual report with the Rhode Island Secretary of State and pay a $50 fee. The report keeps the LLC's information current — its address, registered agent, and management details — and keeps the entity in good standing.
Missing the annual report can lead to penalties and, eventually, administrative dissolution (revocation) of the LLC. Because this $50 recurs every year, factor it into your ongoing budget alongside taxes and any licenses. Verify the current fee and due date on the Rhode Island Secretary of State site, as they can change.
Common Rhode Island LLC Fees
The table summarizes the state fees most new Rhode Island LLCs encounter. Amounts marked with a dollar figure reflect commonly published Rhode Island fees; because the state can revise them, always confirm the current figure on the Rhode Island Secretary of State fee schedule before you rely on it.
| Item | Fee | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (form the LLC) | $150 | Rhode Island Secretary of State |
| Annual report | $50 | Rhode Island Secretary of State |
| Federal EIN | $0 (free) | IRS |
| Name reservation | See state fee schedule | Rhode Island Secretary of State |
| Registered agent (commercial) | Varies (annual) | Private provider |
| Sales/use tax permit | See Rhode Island Division of Taxation | Rhode Island Division of Taxation |
Optional and Situational Costs
Beyond the required fees, several costs are optional. Reserving a name before you file carries a fee set by the state schedule. Expedited processing, if offered, adds a charge for faster handling. Certified copies or a certificate of good standing (often needed to register as a foreign LLC elsewhere) each cost extra.
Hiring a commercial registered agent is optional — you can serve as your own agent for free if you have a Rhode Island street address — but many owners pay an annual fee for privacy and reliability. A DBA, if you use a trade name, has its own filing fee; see Rhode Island DBA filing.
Taxes Are a Separate Cost
Filing fees are not taxes. A Rhode Island LLC is a pass-through by default, so members pay federal income tax and self-employment tax of 15.3% on their share of profit, plus Rhode Island income tax. If the LLC sells taxable goods or services, it registers for and remits sales tax through the Rhode Island Division of Taxation.
Some states impose a minimum annual tax or franchise-style fee on LLCs in addition to the report fee; check current Rhode Island rules with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation. Plan for these ongoing tax obligations separately from the one-time and annual state filing fees. See Rhode Island LLC tax filing for detail.
Budgeting Your Total Cost
For a straightforward Rhode Island LLC formed and run by the owner, the core state costs are the $150 formation fee up front and $50 each year for the annual report, plus a free EIN. That is the realistic minimum before optional services.
Costs rise if you hire a formation or registered-agent service, need expedited processing, reserve a name, or operate in multiple states. Weigh those add-ons against doing the filings yourself. Whatever you budget, verify every figure on the Rhode Island Secretary of State fee schedule at the time you file, because published fees change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Rhode Island?
The Articles of Organization filing fee is $150, paid to the Rhode Island Secretary of State. A federal EIN is free. Optional costs like name reservation, expedite, or a registered-agent service are extra.
Does a Rhode Island LLC have an annual fee?
Yes. Rhode Island LLCs file an annual report with a $50 fee to keep the entity in good standing. Missing it can lead to penalties and eventual administrative dissolution.
Is the EIN part of the LLC cost?
No. The IRS issues EINs for free, so it adds nothing to your state formation cost. Avoid third-party sites that charge for an EIN.
Do I need to pay for a registered agent?
Not necessarily. You can act as your own registered agent for free if you have a Rhode Island street address. Commercial agents charge an annual fee for privacy and reliability.
Are taxes included in the Rhode Island LLC fees?
No. Filing fees are separate from taxes. LLC members pay income and self-employment tax on profit, and the LLC may owe sales tax, which are additional to the formation and annual report fees.
Related
- Form an LLC in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island annual report
- Rhode Island articles of organization
- Rhode Island registered agent
- How to form an LLC (cluster hub)
- How to get an EIN
- Business tax basics
- Registered agent overview
- Legal glossary
More Rhode Island business guides
Form an LLC Business License Dissolve an LLC Annual Report Articles of Organization Business Entity Search Certificate of Formation DBA Filing LLC Tax Filing Operating Agreement Registered Agent LLC Cost
Sources
- Rhode Island Secretary of State - Business division (formation, filings, and fee schedule).
- Rhode Island Secretary of State - Start a business and fees.
- Rhode Island Division of Taxation - business and tax registration.
- Rhode Island Division of Taxation - Corporate and business tax.
- IRS - Get an Employer Identification Number (free EIN).
- IRS - Limited Liability Company (LLC) federal classification.
- IRS - Business Structures.
- SBA - Register your business (SBA).
- USA.gov - Start your own business (USA.gov).
- IRS - Self-Employment Tax (Social Security and Medicare Taxes).
- IRS - Closing a Business.
LegalGlass provides general information for educational purposes and is not a law firm or a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney or tax professional. Laws, fees, and thresholds change; verify current requirements with the the Rhode Island Secretary of State and the IRS before acting.