How to Start an LLC in Rhode Island (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Rhode Island, you file Articles of Organization on Form 400 with the Rhode Island Department of State, and pay $150, or $156 online.

Maya What's the extra six dollars?

Dan That's an online fee on top of the filing fee.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Rhode Island for 2026, step by step with every cost, including a tax most states don't have, and the three best ways to have it filed for you. Where do we begin?

0:32 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan The name has to end with limited liability company, or the letters LLC.

Maya Anything else?

Dan It must be distinguishable from names on the Secretary of State's records. The state has a free corporate database to search.

Maya And reserving a name?

Dan A reservation lasts 120 days, and it's $50.

0:53 Step 2: Name a resident agent

Maya Rhode Island has its own word for the agent, right?

Dan It does. The law calls it a resident agent.

Maya Who can serve?

Dan A Rhode Island resident, or a business authorized here, at a Rhode Island street address. No P.O. boxes or virtual addresses.

Maya Any hours?

Dan The agent has to be reachable there from 9 to 5. And the address is public.

Maya I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

Dan Thanks, Maya. Changing the agent's name later costs $20.

1:23 Step 3: File Form 400

Maya How do I file?

Dan Online for $150 plus a $6 online fee. By mail or in person, it's $150.

Maya How long does it take?

Dan The state says it processes filings within two business days.

Maya What shouldn't I put on the form?

Dan The members. Rhode Island doesn't keep an ownership record on the Articles.

Maya How will I know it went through?

Dan No confirmation is mailed. Check the corporate database.

1:50 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya So where is ownership recorded?

Dan In your operating agreement. It isn't filed with the state.

Maya What should it cover?

Dan Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves.

Maya In writing?

Dan Yes. Keep it with your records.

2:07 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya What's the federal step?

Dan An EIN. Apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your Articles.

Maya Anything to watch?

Dan The tax box on the Articles isn't sent to the IRS, so you choose it again there.

Maya And the ownership report?

Dan Skip it. FinCEN no longer requires one from U.S. companies.

2:31 Step 6: Pay the minimum tax

Maya What's this tax you mentioned?

Dan Rhode Island has a $400 minimum tax, owed every year to the Division of Taxation.

Maya Even with no profit?

Dan Even with no profit. And it isn't prorated.

Maya Is there a form?

Dan Form RI-1065 is for LLCs not taxed as corporations.

2:53 Step 7: File the annual report

Maya And the annual report?

Dan File it between February 1 and May 1 every year, starting the year after you form. It's $50, or $52.50 online.

Maya What if I'm late?

Dan After June 1, a $25 penalty is added.

Maya And if it's never filed?

Dan The state can revoke the LLC. Reinstating starts with a $50 letter of good standing from the Division of Taxation.

3:18 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself math.

Dan $156 to file online. Then $52.50 a year for the annual report online, plus the $400 minimum tax. The EIN is free.

Maya So year one is?

Dan $156, plus the $400 tax, which makes $556.

Maya And year two?

Dan $452.50, with the online report and the tax.

3:49 Online, mail, or in person

Maya What does the filing method change?

Dan Only the fee. Online is $150 plus $6. Mail or in person is $150.

Maya So mail saves six dollars.

Dan Yes, though online may be faster. The state says it processes within two business days, and its start page says one to three.

Maya Which one should I believe?

Dan Plan for the longer range, and check the database for the result.

4:16 The minimum tax over time

Maya Let me total the tax across years.

Dan $400 a year. Over three years, that's $1,200.

Maya Does the state fee come on top?

Dan Yes. The first report is due the year after you form, so years two and three bring two online reports at $52.50, which is $105. Add $156 to form.

Maya So all in, for three years?

Dan $156 plus $105 plus $1,200, which is $1,461.

4:55 The late annual report

Maya Let me press on the annual report. What's the window?

Dan February 1 to May 1. The $25 penalty is applied from June 1.

Maya And the penalty is?

Dan $25, added on top of the $50 fee.

Maya What if the LLC gets revoked?

Dan Reinstatement starts with a $50 letter of good standing from the Division of Taxation.

Maya Why the tax division?

Dan That's the state's process. Separately, the $400 minimum tax is owed to that same division every year.

Maya So there are two yearly items.

Dan Yes, the report and the tax. Put both on one calendar.

5:35 Choosing your agent

Maya Back to the resident agent. Could I do it?

Dan If you're a Rhode Island resident with a street address here, reachable from nine to five.

Maya What's the downside?

Dan The address is public, and you have to be reachable.

Maya And a commercial agent?

Dan They put their address on the record. Many owners prefer that.

Maya What about changing the name later?

Dan $20.

5:56 First-year checklist

Maya Order of operations?

Dan Search the name. Choose your agent. File Form 400 for $150, or $156 online.

Maya And the rest?

Dan Write your operating agreement, get your EIN, and plan for the $400 minimum tax and the annual report by May 1.

6:17 The 3 best ways to file in Rhode Island

Maya What if I'd rather have someone else handle it?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Rhode Island. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $156 state fee, checkout comes to $355.

Maya What's included?

Dan Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your resident agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

Maya And the annual report?

Dan Mainstay files it by May 1 each year. You pay only the state fee.

Maya Number two?

Dan RI Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, also $355 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan Rhode Island Registered Agent.co. Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

Maya How should I choose?

Dan If you'll file the annual report yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone. The state fee and the $400 minimum tax are the same either way.

7:38 Three years of service fees

Maya Give me the three-year view.

Dan Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397.

Maya A $200 gap.

Dan Yes. With Mainstay, that gap covers your annual report being filed for you.

8:03 Recap

Maya Can you recap?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name a resident agent at a Rhode Island street address, file Form 400 for $150, or $156 online, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, file your $50 annual report by May 1, and budget for the $400 minimum tax.

Maya The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new Rhode Island LLC.