Rhode Island · RI
Rhode Island LLC Formation Cost 2026
Filing fee $150 · Annual $50 · Privacy 4/10 · Banking 7/10
The numbers
| Initial state filing fee | $150 |
|---|---|
| Annual report (annual) | $50 |
| Franchise / privilege tax | Min corporate tax $400 (LLCs taxed as corp) |
| State personal income tax (top) | 5.99% |
| State corporate income tax (top) | 7% |
| Publication required? | No |
| Standard processing time | 7 business days |
| Privacy score | 4/10 |
| Banking accessibility | 7/10 |
| 5-year total cost | $650 |
Why people choose Rhode Island
- Standard fees
Trade-offs to know
- Mid income tax
Who Rhode Island is best for
- Local RI businesses
Pass-through LLCs avoid the $400 corporate minimum.
- Rhode Island Secretary of State / business division
- Fees last verified against the source: 2026-05-15
Rhode Island vs the alternatives
| State | Filing | Recurring | State tax | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $150 | $50/yr | 5.99% | 4/10 |
| Wyoming | $100 | $62/yr | 0% | 9/10 |
| Delaware | $110 | $300/yr | 6.6% | 7/10 |
How to form an LLC in Rhode Island (general steps)
- Choose a unique name ending in "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company". Check name availability with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Rhode Island address.
- File Articles of Organization ($150) with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
- Draft an Operating Agreement — most states do not require filing but strongly recommend having one.
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS (free online with SSN/ITIN).
- File the FinCEN BOI report within 90 days of formation (federal requirement).
- File the annual report ($50) by the deadline to keep the LLC in good standing.
Other commonly compared states
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Rhode Island?
The state filing fee is $150. An annual report costs $50. Plus a registered agent (typically $25-$150/year).
Does Rhode Island have a state income tax on LLCs?
Rhode Island's top personal income tax rate is 5.99%. Pass-through LLC profits flow to your personal return at this rate.
What is the annual cost of maintaining a Rhode Island LLC?
Excluding the first-year filing fee, the recurring cost is $100 (annual report + franchise minimum + $50 registered agent baseline). Five-year total ≈ $650.
Can a non-resident form an LLC in Rhode Island?
Yes. Non-US residents can form an LLC in any state. However, banking, payment processing, and EIN acquisition vary in difficulty. Rhode Island has moderate banking accessibility (7/10). See our non-resident guide for the full process.
Is Rhode Island a good state for an anonymous LLC?
Rhode Island's privacy score is 4/10. Some member or manager information appears on public filings. For maximum privacy, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Nevada are common choices.
Deep-dive Rhode Island guides
Interactive cost calculator for Rhode Island
LLC Cost Calculator
Estimate the real cost of forming and maintaining an LLC across 51 US jurisdictions. Includes state filing, registered agent, annual report, franchise tax, and (where applicable) publication.
Year 1 breakdown — Rhode Island
| State filing fee | $150 |
| Registered agent (yr 1) | $50 |
| Annual report fee | $50 |
| Franchise / privilege tax (minimum) | $0 |
| Year 1 total | $250 |
| Recurring (yr 2+) | $100/yr |
Avg. $130 / year — compares to 5-yr baseline $650.
What this calculator does NOT include
- Federal BOI report (free, but mandatory)
- EIN application (free with SSN/ITIN; some services charge $50-$300)
- Operating Agreement drafting
- State-level business licenses (industry-specific)
- Local city/county fees (varies by municipality)
- Foreign LLC registration if operating outside formation state
- Federal and state income tax on profits
Educational estimate only. Not legal or tax advice. Verify with a licensed CPA or attorney before filing.