Rhode Island LLC Cost (2025-2026): Filing Fees, $400 Annual Tax & Ongoing Expenses

Forming an LLC in Rhode Island costs $150. Most first-year budgets land around $550+ because Rhode Island also charges a $400 minimum annual tax (annual charge). Below is the exact cost breakdown to budget for, including the Feb 1 to May 1 annual report window and the deadlines that trigger penalties.

Rhode Island LLC startup costs (one-time)

Your one-time costs are mostly state filing fees, plus a few optional add-ons if you need to lock in a name, operate under a DBA, or pull official documents for banks and other states. Your federal EIN is free if you apply directly with the IRS. If you want the exact filing steps (and the order to do them), follow this step-by-step Rhode Island LLC filing guide.

Domestic LLC filing fee (online vs mail)

Rhode Island charges $150 to file Articles of Organization, whether you file online or mail in the paper form. In our experience, the simplest route is online: on the “Start Your Rhode Island Business” page, you’ll see an LLC row with a clear “File Online” link that takes you straight into the filing flow. Mail filing can be a better fit if you prefer to pay by check and don’t mind waiting a bit longer for processing.

If timing matters for your launch, see our Rhode Island LLC approval timeline for typical processing speed and what can slow things down.

Foreign LLC registration fee

If your LLC was formed outside Rhode Island, you register as a foreign LLC (instead of filing Articles of Organization again). The state fee to register a foreign LLC in Rhode Island is $150.

Rhode Island also requires a certificate of good standing or legal existence from your home state dated within 60 days for most foreign applications. Your home state typically charges its own fee for that document, so include it in your total startup budget.

Name Reservation and DBA Fees

In our experience, a name reservation is only worth paying for when you are not ready to file yet but you want to lock in a business name before someone else takes it. Rhode Island charges $50 to reserve an LLC name for 120 days, so before you spend the fee, run a quick name check in the state’s Corporate Database to confirm the name is actually available.

If you already formed your LLC and want to operate under a different public-facing name, that is when a DBA comes in. For LLCs, Rhode Island uses a Fictitious Business Name Statement, and the filing fee is $50. We treat this as a branding/legal “display name” cost: you only pay it if you will invoice, market, or sign contracts under an alternate name.

Quick rule for your budget:

• Reserve a name ($50) only if you need more time before formation.
• File a fictitious business name statement ($50) only if you will invoice, market, or sign under an alternate name.

Certified copies and good standing certificates

These documents are optional, but they are common add-on costs when you are dealing with banks, investors, licensing, or out-of-state registrations.

• Certificate of Status/Good Standing: $22 online for most entities, or $20 if ordered in person, by phone pickup, or by mail. Rhode Island also offers certain long-form certificates for $30.
• Certified copies: for most entities (including LLCs), the fee is $10 + $0.15 per page.

When you actually need them:

• Opening a business bank account or merchant account (some banks ask for a recent certificate).
• Registering as a foreign LLC in another state.
• Licensing, permits, or court matters where a certified copy is specifically requested.

Ongoing Rhode Island LLC costs

Your recurring compliance budget mainly comes from two items: the Rhode Island annual report and the state’s $400 minimum annual tax. The exact totals depend on whether you file online and whether you pay for a registered agent service, but the core expenses are predictable.

Annual Report: Fee and Deadlines

In our experience, Rhode Island’s annual report (Form 632) looks simple at first: the base fee is $50. But when you choose “File Online” and reach the checkout/fee summary screen, the total increases because the system adds a $2.50 Enhanced Access Online Fee plus a $3.00 online filing fee, bringing the online total to $55.50. If you file by paper, it stays at $50.

To avoid penalties, follow this schedule:

• Filing window: February 1 to May 1 each year.
• First report: due starting the calendar year after your LLC registers.
• Late penalty: $25 applies beginning June 1 (penalty if not filed by May 31).
• If ignored: the state can begin revocation proceedings for failure to file.

If you want a plain-English overview of what states typically ask for, see our LLC annual report requirements guide.

Rhode Island minimum annual tax ($400)

Rhode Island requires most LLCs, LPs, LLPs, and L3Cs to pay a $400 minimum annual tax (often called an annual charge). The state says it is not prorated and is owed even if no business was conducted or no profit was made.

Key filing points:

• Pass-through LLCs typically file by March 15 with Form RI-1065.
• LLCs taxed as S-corps generally use Form RI-1120S by March 15.
• This payment goes to the RI Division of Taxation, not the Secretary of State.
• Missing the deadline can trigger penalties and interest under tax rules.

Registered agent costs (DIY vs service)

Rhode Island requires your LLC to keep a registered agent and a Rhode Island street address on file. If you act as your own agent, the ongoing cost is $0. If you hire a commercial service, typical pricing is $100 to $300 per year, depending on features and renewal rates.

Real-world pricing examples:

• Harbor Compliance lists $99 per year for Rhode Island registered agent service.
• Northwest Registered Agent lists $125 per year.
• If you change agents later, Rhode Island charges $20.

If you want to compare providers side by side, see our best Rhode Island registered agent services roundup.

Other state filings that can raise your annual budget

Most LLCs will not pay extra state fees every year, but changes to your records can add surprise costs as you grow or clean up compliance.

Common add-on filings and their state fees:

• Change of resident agent: $20.
• Domestic LLC amendment: $50, for changes like name, address, or management structure.
• Foreign LLC amendment: $50 if your out-of-state LLC’s Rhode Island registration details change.
• Licenses and permits: industry-specific fees and renewals can vary, so check the state’s Business Assistant when budgeting.

Other Rhode Island LLC operating costs

State filing fees are just the starting point. Most real-world budgets grow because of local permits, bookkeeping and payroll tools, insurance, and card processing. You can keep this low if you stay simple, but costs rise quickly once you hire, take payments, or need regulated permits.

Local licenses and permits

In Rhode Island, city and town rules can drive permit and license costs through zoning, signage, and local business licensing. The Secretary of State’s Business Assistant helps you identify requirements by location.

Typical budget ranges:

• Common permits/licenses: $25 to $200+ (depends on municipality and business type)
• Regulated categories: often hundreds or more (food, alcohol, and similar industries)

The City of Pawtucket’s license list is a good example of how wide local fees can range, from small admin licenses to higher-cost regulated items.

For broader context on typical pricing, see our business license costs by state breakdown.

Accounting and payroll tools

This is usually your most predictable monthly expense. The right approach depends on whether you just need basic tracking or full payroll and clean books.

Budget shortcuts:

• Accounting software: $38 to $275/month (QuickBooks Online list pricing varies by tier)
• Payroll software: usually base fee + per-employee fee (example: QuickBooks Payroll Core at $50 list + $6.50/employee/month)
• Outsourced bookkeeping: often around $300/month (varies with volume and complexity)
• Alternative payroll option: Gusto $49/month + $6/person (Simple plan)

Business insurance

Insurance is a recurring cost that depends heavily on your industry, revenue, and contract requirements.

Typical monthly averages:

• General liability: about $42/month
• Professional liability: about $61/month
• Workers’ comp: about $45/month on average (can be higher in riskier industries)

Compliance note: Rhode Island generally requires employers with one or more employees to carry workers’ compensation coverage.

If you provide licensed professional services, also double-check whether your profession requires a different entity type, since LLC vs PLLC rules can affect both compliance and insurance expectations.

Banking and payment processing fees

Two costs matter here: bank account fees (often avoidable) and card processing fees (usually unavoidable if you take cards).

Business checking (bank fees):

• Many accounts are $0 if you meet waiver rules; otherwise a monthly fee is common.
• Example: Chase lists a $15/month fee for Business Complete Banking (waivable with qualifying activity).
• Example: Bank of America lists $16/month after 12 months for Business Advantage Fundamentals (waivable with certain conditions).

Card payment processing (merchant fees):

• Stripe: 2.9% + 30¢ per successful card transaction
• Square (in-person tap/dip/swipe): 2.6% + 15¢
• PayPal (standard): 2.99% + fixed fee

If you invoice clients, some platforms charge similar rates (example: Wave starts at 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction).

Rhode Island LLC cost FAQs

These FAQs answer the questions people ask right before they budget for a Rhode Island LLC. Each answer starts with the quick cost takeaway, then adds a little context so you know what to expect in real life.