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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Rhode Island, you file Articles of Organization on Form 400 with

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<v Dan>the Rhode Island Department of State, and pay $150, or $156 online.

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<v Maya>What's the extra six dollars?

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

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Rhode Island for 2026, step by step with every cost, including a tax most

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<v Maya>states don't have, and the three best ways to have it filed for you.

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<v Maya>Where do we begin?

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

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<v Maya>Anything else?

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<v Dan>It must be distinguishable from names on the Secretary of State's records.

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<v Dan>The state has a free corporate database to search.

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<v Maya>And reserving a name?

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

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

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<v Dan>It does. The law calls it a resident agent.

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<v Maya>Who can serve?

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<v Dan>A Rhode Island resident, or a business authorized here, at a Rhode Island street

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<v Dan>address. No P.O. boxes or virtual addresses.

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<v Maya>Any hours?

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<v Dan>The agent has to be reachable there from 9 to 5.

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<v Dan>And the address is public.

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

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

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<v Maya>How do I file?

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<v Dan>Online for $150 plus a $6 online fee.

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<v Dan>By mail or in person, it's $150.

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<v Maya>How long does it take?

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

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<v Maya>What shouldn't I put on the form?

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

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<v Maya>How will I know it went through?

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<v Dan>No confirmation is mailed. Check the corporate database.

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<v Maya>So where is ownership recorded?

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

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<v Maya>What should it cover?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>In writing?

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<v Dan>Yes. Keep it with your records.

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<v Maya>What's the federal step?

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<v Dan>An EIN. Apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the

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<v Dan>state files your Articles.

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<v Maya>Anything to watch?

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

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<v Maya>And the ownership report?

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<v Dan>Skip it. FinCEN no longer requires one from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What's this tax you mentioned?

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

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<v Maya>Even with no profit?

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

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<v Maya>Is there a form?

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

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<v Maya>And the annual report?

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<v Dan>File it between February 1 and May 1 every year, starting the year after you form.

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<v Dan>It's $50, or $52.50 online.

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<v Maya>What if I'm late?

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

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<v Maya>And if it's never filed?

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<v Dan>The state can revoke the LLC. Reinstating starts with a $50 letter of good standing

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<v Dan>from the Division of Taxation.

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<v Maya>Give me the do-it-yourself math.

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<v Dan>$156 to file online. Then $52.50 a year for the annual report

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<v Dan>online, plus the $400 minimum tax.

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<v Dan>The EIN is free.

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<v Maya>So year one is?

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

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<v Maya>And year two?

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<v Dan>$452.50, with the online report and the tax.

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<v Maya>What does the filing method change?

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<v Dan>Only the fee. Online is $150 plus $6.

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<v Dan>Mail or in person is $150.

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<v Maya>So mail saves six dollars.

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<v Dan>Yes, though online may be faster.

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<v Dan>The state says it processes within two business days, and its start page says one to

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<v Dan>three.

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<v Maya>Which one should I believe?

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

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<v Maya>Let me total the tax across years.

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

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<v Maya>Does the state fee come on top?

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<v Dan>Yes. The first report is due the year after you form, so years two and three bring

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<v Dan>two online reports at $52.50, which is $105.

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<v Dan>Add $156 to form.

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<v Maya>So all in, for three years?

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<v Dan>$156 plus $105 plus $1,200, which is

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<v Dan>$1,461.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the annual report.

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<v Maya>What's the window?

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

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<v Maya>And the penalty is?

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

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<v Maya>What if the LLC gets revoked?

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<v Dan>Reinstatement starts with a $50 letter of good standing from the Division of

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<v Dan>Taxation.

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<v Maya>Why the tax division?

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<v Dan>That's the state's process. Separately, the $400 minimum tax is owed to that same

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<v Dan>division every year.

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<v Maya>So there are two yearly items.

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

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

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<v Dan>If you're a Rhode Island resident with a street address here, reachable from nine to

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<v Dan>five.

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<v Maya>What's the downside?

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

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<v Maya>And a commercial agent?

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<v Dan>They put their address on the record.

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<v Dan>Many owners prefer that.

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<v Maya>What about changing the name later?

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<v Dan>$20.

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<v Maya>Order of operations?

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<v Dan>Search the name. Choose your agent.

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<v Dan>File Form 400 for $150, or $156 online.

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<v Maya>And the rest?

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<v Dan>Write your operating agreement, get your EIN, and plan for the $400 minimum tax and

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<v Dan>the annual report by May 1.

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

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Rhode Island.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee.

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<v Dan>With the $156 state fee, checkout comes to $355.

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<v Maya>What's included?

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<v Dan>Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your resident agent every year.

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<v Dan>It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>And the annual report?

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<v Dan>Mainstay files it by May 1 each year.

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<v Dan>You pay only the state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>RI Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state

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<v Dan>fee, also $355 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then

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<v Dan>$99 a year.

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Rhode Island Registered Agent.co.

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<v Dan>Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then

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<v Dan>$99 a year.

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<v Maya>How should I choose?

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<v Dan>If you'll file the annual report yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year

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<v Dan>two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

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<v Dan>The state fee and the $400 minimum tax are the same either way.

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<v Maya>Give me the three-year view.

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two

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<v Dan>years, for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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

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<v Maya>Can you recap?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a resident agent at a Rhode Island street

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<v Dan>address, file Form 400 for $150, or $156

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<v Dan>online, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, file your $50 annual

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<v Dan>report by May 1, and budget for the $400 minimum tax.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Rhode Island LLC.