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Register a business in Rhode Island
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Rhode Island. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Rhode Island entities file with the Department of State (Secretary of State), Division of Business Services, at 148 W. River Street, Providence. Filing is online, by mail or in person. Rhode Island Department of State, as of
Forming an LLC
- A Rhode Island LLC is formed by Articles of Organization (Form 400). Rhode Island Department of State, as of
- The online enhanced access fee goes to RI.gov, not to the state. Mail and in-person filing carry no extra charge. Rhode Island Department of State, as of
- Articles of Organization filing fee: $150 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Rhode Island Department of State, as of
- Online enhanced access fee, added: $6 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Rhode Island Department of State, as of
Forming a corporation
- A Rhode Island business corporation files Articles of Incorporation (Form 100). Rhode Island Department of State, as of
- Articles of Incorporation for under 75,000,000 shares: $230 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Rhode Island Department of State, as of
- Online enhanced access fee, added: $8 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Rhode Island Department of State, as of
- Minimum corporate tax for incorporated businesses, every year: $400 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Rhode Island Department of State, as of
Annual or biennial report
- LLCs and business corporations file annual reports between February 1 and May 1, starting the year after registration. From June 1 a penalty applies. Rhode Island Department of State, as of
- Annual report fee, on time: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Rhode Island Department of State, as of
- Online enhanced access fee on an on-time report, added: $2.50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Rhode Island Department of State, as of
- Late penalty from June 1, added: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Rhode Island Department of State, as of
- Online enhanced access fee on a late report, added: $3 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Rhode Island Department of State, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- Entities register a fictitious business name with the Department of State (Fictitious Business Name Statement, form 624). Rhode Island Department of State, as of
- Fictitious Business Name Statement filing fee: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Rhode Island Department of State, as of
- Online enhanced access fee, added: $2.50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Rhode Island Department of State, as of
State tax registration
- Retailers file an application for a sales permit with the Division of Taxation for each place of business. For permit periods after July 1, 2022 there is no application or renewal fee. Businesses with employees or retail sales use the online Business Application and Registration form. Rhode Island Division of Taxation, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Swimming pools are appurtenances under the Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Act, so pool construction work needs registration with the Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board (R.I. Gen. Laws section 5-65-1). Rhode Island General Assembly, as of
- The Department of Health licenses public pools and aquatic venues under 216-RICR-50-05-4. Rhode Island Department of Health, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- Enhanced access fee Rhode Island Department of State. As of .
- Form 400 (revised 03/2026) Rhode Island Department of State. As of .
- Business forms and fee schedule Rhode Island Department of State. As of .
- Start Your Rhode Island Business Rhode Island Department of State. As of .
- File Your Annual Business Report Rhode Island Department of State. As of .
- Advisory 2022-05: Sales tax permit fees Rhode Island Division of Taxation. As of .
- R.I. Gen. Laws section 5-65-1 Rhode Island General Assembly. As of .
- Licensed Swimming Pools Program Rhode Island Department of Health. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
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