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Starting a Rhode Island LLC
A Rhode Island Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a legal structure used to protect your personal assets (home, car, bank account) in the event your business is sued.
A Rhode Island LLC can be used to operate a business, or it can be used to hold assets (such as real estate, vehicles, boats, or aircraft).
Forming an LLC in Rhode Island is simple. Search your Rhode Island LLC name in the state database and select your Rhode Island Registered Agent.
Then file your Rhode Island Articles of Organization with the Rhode Island Secretary of State and wait for your LLC to be approved.
You can file your LLC by mail, online, or walk-in filing. The RI LLC filing fee is $150 no matter which filing method you use.
Check out LLC Cost in Rhode Island for more info on LLC fees.
If you file by mail, your Rhode Island LLC will be approved in 3-4 business days (plus mail time). If you file online, your Rhode Island LLC will be approved in 3-4 business days. If you do the walk-in filing, your Rhode Island LLC will be approved in a few hours (or less).
Note: Filing times may take longer due to the current global situation and government delays. Please see how long does it take to get an LLC in Rhode Island.
After your Rhode Island LLC is approved, complete your Rhode Island LLC Operating Agreement and get your Rhode Island EIN Number (aka Federal Tax ID Number) from the IRS. We provide a free operating agreement template and your EIN from the IRS is also free. Next, you should check whether your company needs a Rhode Island Business License or other permits to operate.
In order to keep your Rhode Island LLC in compliance with the RI Secretary of State, you need to file an Rhode Island LLC Annual Report each year. The state fee is $50. And each year, your small business must file any applicable Rhode Island LLC Taxes. We recommend hiring an accountant for help.
Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
(check out Northwest vs LegalZoom)
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
RHODE ISLAND LLC GUIDE
Follow the lessons below to form your Rhode Island LLC.
Hello,
I’m in the process of launching an e-commerce business, in the yacht sales industry. I am struggling, trying to decide where to incorporate. Do you have any suggestions, based on the industry, in which, I’m intending to enter?
Sincerely,
Roman Kovbasniuk
Hi Roman, where an LLC should be formed/registered comes down to where it’s legally transacting business. If you’re going to run your business and work from home in Rhode Island, you’ll most likely be transacting business in Rhode Island. It’s also best practice to discuss something like this with an attorney. Hope that helps.