Filing Fees
- Domestic: $150
- Foreign: $150[1]
How to Form an LLC
1. Find a Business Name
- Business Search: business.sos.ri.gov
Use the Rhode Island Business Search Engine to check whether your desired business name is already in use. If no results show up, it is likely that the business name is available.
Under Rhode Island statute, the name of your business must end with the words “limited liability company” or abbreviation “LLC” or L.L.C.”[2]
2. Select a Resident Agent
Every domestic and foreign limited liability company must appoint and maintain a resident agent for service of process. The resident agent may be a person who resides in Rhode Island or a business entity authorized to transact business in the state.[3]
3. Register the LLC
There are two ways to apply for the registration of your LLC: online or by mail.
Option 1: File Online
Go to business.sos.ri.gov/corp to access the state’s online form for domestic LLCs.
In the provided fields, enter the name of your limited liability company and the street address of your resident agent.
Choose how you want to pay federal income tax for the LLC. If you are the sole owner, select the first option. Below that, enter the address of your business’s principal office.
Select one of the following as your role in the application process. Most people will be business owners registering their own businesses.
Indicate whether your limited liability company will be managed by members (owners) or by managers. If it is manager-managed, provide the name and address of each manager below.
Provide your name, address, phone number, and email as the filer of the Articles of Organization.
Type your name in the provided field as your electronic signature, and provide your address again. Review your document, then submit it.
Option 2: File By Mail
Complete the appropriate form and send the document to the provided address with an enclosed payment.
Articles of Organization (Domestic LLC) – For in-state entities.
Filing fee: $150 check made payable to “RI Department of State”
Mailing address:
Division of Business Services
148 W. River Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02904-2615
Application for Registration (Foreign LLC) – For out-of-state entities.
Filing fee: $150 check made payable to “RI Department of State”
Mailing address:
Division of Business Services
148 W. River Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02904-2615
4. Obtain an EIN
- Apply Online: www.irs.gov
- Apply by Fax/Mail: Form SS-4
Every business is required to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS in order to begin operating.
5. Write an Operating Agreement
The state of Rhode Island does not require LLCs to adopt an operating agreement. However, it can be useful to adopt one for internal purposes.
Download: PDF, MS Word, OpenDocument
6. Choose a Tax Classification
Below are the most common types of LLC tax classification:
- LLC – As an LLC, a sole proprietorship or partnership is considered a “pass-through entity,” which means all profits are taxed as income for the members/owners.
- S-Corporation – All business profits and losses are sent to the shareholders, who must pay income tax. To file as an S-corp, an LLC must file IRS Form 2553 within 75 days of formation.
- C-Corporation – All business profits and losses are filed as a separate corporate entity. To file as a C-corp, an LLC must file IRS Form 8832 within 75 days of formation.