Business formation
Form your business in Rhode Island
Start your LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, or Nonprofit in Rhode Island with a guided, step-by-step workflow tailored to your entity type - and know the state filing fee before you begin.
Forming an LLC in Rhode Island costs $150 in state filing fees, which is above the national median: 38 of the 51 U.S. jurisdictions charge less, and the national median is $100. A corporation files for $230 and a nonprofit for $35. Below: the fee table, what else you pay in year one, and the questions founders ask before filing here.
Rhode Island state filing fees
These are the one-time fees paid to the Rhode Island Secretary of State to file your formation document. They are separate from any EazeAccounts service or package fee.
| Entity type | State filing fee |
|---|---|
| LLCArticles of Organization - flexible, pass-through, simple to run. | $150 |
| Corporation (C-Corp / S-Corp)Articles of Incorporation - shares, board, officers. S-Corp is a federal tax election on the same state filing. | $230 |
| NonprofitNonprofit Articles of Incorporation - mission-driven; optional 501(c)(3). | $35 |
Note: corp ~$230 min, share-based (incl. min franchise tax).
Estimated state filing fees, separate from EazeAccounts service fees. Some states set a minimum that can rise with authorized shares, and expedited or online filing may differ. Fees last verified May 2026; confirm the current amount with the Rhode Island Secretary of State before filing.
What else you pay in year one
- Registered agent. Free if you serve as your own agent at a Rhode Island street address; a service charges an annual fee if you would rather keep your address off the public record.
- EIN. Free from the IRS. Anyone charging for an EIN alone is charging for the form.
- Annual report or franchise tax. Most states ask for a yearly report and some charge a fee or tax with it; the amount and deadline are set by Rhode Island. Check the Secretary of State page before you file so the first renewal is not a surprise.
- Licences and permits. City and county rules depend on what the business does, not on the entity type.
Not sure whether an LLC or a corporation fits? The entity cost calculator compares the two over three years, and the guide to LLC vs C-Corp covers the tax and investor side.
Questions founders ask about Rhode Island
- How much does it cost to start an LLC in Rhode Island?
- The Rhode Island state filing fee for an LLC is $150, paid once when you file the formation document. That is above the national median: 38 of 51 jurisdictions charge less, and the national median is $100. Registered agent service, expedited processing and any EazeAccounts package are separate.
- Do I need a registered agent in Rhode Island?
- Yes. Every state requires an LLC or corporation to name a registered agent with a physical street address in Rhode Island who is available during business hours to receive legal and official mail. You can be your own agent if you live in the state, or use a service.
- What is the difference between the state fee and the EazeAccounts fee?
- The state fee goes to the Rhode Island Secretary of State and is the same whoever files for you. The EazeAccounts formation package covers preparing and filing the documents, the EIN, the operating agreement or bylaws, and setting your books up from day one. You always see both amounts before you pay.
- Is the state filing fee refundable if my filing is rejected?
- Generally no. States keep the fee even when a filing is rejected for a name conflict or a missing detail, which is why the name check and document review happen before anything is submitted.
Next step
Comparing states? Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, or see filing fees in every state.
Ready to form in Rhode Island? Begin the step-by-step formation workflow.