Rhode Island LLC Cost (2026): $150 Articles, a $50 Report, and the $400 Minimum Tax
Rhode Island’s LLC filings are straightforward: $150 to form and $50 a year to report. The number that changes the math is the state’s $400 annual charge, which every LLC pays regardless of profit. Filing fees are paid to the Department of State, and tax matters go through the Division of Taxation, so it helps to budget for both separately.
The $150 Articles of Organization
A Rhode Island LLC is formed by filing Articles of Organization (Form 400) with the Department of State’s Business Services Division. The fee is $150, and most filings are submitted online. The articles list the LLC’s name, registered agent, principal office, and whether it is managed by members or managers.
Rhode Island asks LLCs to state on the articles how they will be taxed. That choice lines up with the Division of Taxation’s rules on the minimum tax, so read the next sections before you file.
Northwest Registered Agent
Rhode Island’s business search publishes your registered agent’s address. $39 formation + $150 state fee, free registered agent for year one, then $125/yr.
$39 formation fee · Free registered agent for 12 months · Your address stays off public records · No data selling · No hidden fees
Form Your LLC with Northwest ($39) →Lowest 3-year cost we found: Northwest $289 vs Bizee $298 vs ZenBusiness $497 (service fees; state fees extra). Northwest also puts its address on your public filings instead of yours where the state allows.
The February-to-May Report Window
Rhode Island LLCs file an annual report between February 1 and May 1, starting the calendar year after they are formed. The fee is $50, and filing online adds a $2.50 access fee. The report keeps the LLC’s agent, address, and managers or members up to date.
The window opens February 1, so there is no advantage in waiting. Filing early leaves time to fix a rejected report before the deadline.
The $25 Penalty and Revocation
If the annual report is still unfiled after May 31, the state adds a $25 penalty. After continued non-filing, the Secretary of State can revoke the LLC’s certificate. Reinstatement costs $150 plus each missed report and penalty, and the Division of Taxation may require a letter of good standing showing your taxes are current before the state reinstates you.
The $400 Minimum Tax
Every Rhode Island LLC pays a $400 annual charge to the Division of Taxation, including single-member LLCs, for every year it exists, including the year it is formed and the year it dissolves. An LLC treated as a partnership or disregarded entity files Form RI-1065 and pays the $400 by March 15 (March 16 in 2026); an LLC taxed as an S corporation files Form RI-1120S on the same date, and one taxed as a corporation files Form RI-1120C by April 15 and pays the larger of its corporate tax or $400. Source: Rhode Island Division of Taxation, Notice 2026-01.
The $400 is the largest recurring cost of a Rhode Island LLC, eight times the annual report. It is the main reason to be sure an LLC fits your business before forming.
Rhode Island 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $589 ($150 + $39 + $400 charge, RA free) | $575 ($50 report + $400 charge + $125 RA) | $575 (same) | $1,739 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $649 ($150 + $0 + $99 RA + $400 charge) | $649 ($50 + $400 + $199 RA) | $649 (same) | $1,947 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $550 ($150 Articles + $400 charge) | $450 ($50 report + $400 charge) | $450 (same) | $1,450 |
A DIY Rhode Island LLC costs $1,450 over three years: $250 in Department of State filing fees plus $1,200 in annual charges, before any $2.50 online fees. The $289 extra with Northwest Registered Agent is registered agent service after year one.
Form your Rhode Island LLC for $39 + $150 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders, and your home address kept off public records.
Form My Rhode Island LLC for $39
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
When a Rhode Island LLC may not be worth it yet: if your profit is still small, the $400 annual charge plus filing fees can top $550 in the first year alone. Starting as a sole proprietor and forming the LLC once revenue can absorb that cost is a reasonable plan.
Why I Choose Northwest Registered Agent
After forming 3 LLCs myself and helping clients through the process, I keep coming back to Northwest Registered Agent. Here is why:
- Remarkable Customer Support: Quick, human responses every time.
- Caring & Privacy-Focused: Genuine service with full respect for your privacy.
- Lightning-Fast Formation: Often faster than promised.
- Incredible Value: $39 includes a free business address, mail scanning, and more.
- Clear & Transparent: No hidden fees or surprises.
Ready to form your business? Choose Northwest today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Rhode Island?
$150 for the Articles of Organization. With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $189, including a free first year of registered agent service.
When is the Rhode Island LLC annual report due?
Between February 1 and May 1 each year, starting the year after formation. The fee is $50 plus a $2.50 online access fee.
What is the late penalty for a Rhode Island annual report?
$25 if the report is still unfiled after May 31. Continued non-filing can lead to revocation.
Do Rhode Island LLCs pay a minimum tax?
Yes. Every Rhode Island LLC, including single-member LLCs, pays a $400 annual charge to the Division of Taxation each year, starting in its formation year.
