Resources for Starting and Maintaining a Business in Rhode Island
At CorpNet our mission is to help you start your business and help you keep it in compliance. To assist you in your entrepreneurial journey, we’ve collected answers to the most frequently asked questions small business owners have about starting and maintaining a business in the state of Rhode Island.
Our goal is to provide you with a one-stop solution for all of your business, payroll tax registrations, and compliance filings. And if we can help you along the way, our team of entity filings and compliance experts is just a call away.
Quick Facts for Starting a Rhode Island Business
Expedited Services Available: No
New Business Publishing Required: No
Private Registration Available: No
Registered Agent Required: Yes
Annual Report Required: Yes
Franchise Tax Required: No
State Sales Tax: 7%
State Income Tax: 7%
Unemployment Insurance: 1.1%-9.7%
DBAs do not require a registered agent.
Rhode Island Business Entity Options
| Business Entity Type | State Fees | Applicable Form |
| Limited Partnership (LP) | $100 | Certificate of Limited Partnership (Form 330) |
| Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | $150 | Statement of Qualification of Limited Liability Partnership (Form 500) |
| Limited Liability Limited Partnership (LLLP) | $100 | Certificate of Limited Liability Limited Partnership (Form 300A) |
| Limited Liability Company (LLC) | $150 | Articles of Organization (Form 400) |
| L3C Limited Liability Company (Low Profit) | $150 | Articles of Organization (Form 400A) |
| Business Corporation | $230 | Articles of Incorporation (Form 100) |
| Professional Service Corporation | $230 | Articles of Incorporation (Form 112) |
| Professional Service Benefit Corporation | $230 | Articles of Incorporation (Form 115) |
| Benefit Corporation | $230 | Articles of Incorporation (Form 114) |
| Non-Profit Corporation | $35 | Articles of Incorporation (Form 200) |
| Non-Profit Producers’ Cooperative Association | $50 | Articles of Association (Form 600) |
| Non-Profit Consumers’ Cooperative Association | $50 | Articles of Association (Form 601) |
| Worker’s Cooperative | $230 | Articles of Incorporation (Form 116) |
| Foreign Limited Partnership | $100 | Statement of Registration for a Limited Partnership (Form 350) |
| Foreign Limited Liability Partnership | $150 | Statement of Registration for a Limited Liability Partnership (Form 550) |
| Foreign Limited Liability Company | $150 | Registration for a Foreign Limited Liability Company (Form 450) |
| Foreign Business Corporation | $310 | Certificate of Authority (Form 150) |
| Foreign Non-Profit Corporation | $50 | Certificate of Authority (Form 250) |
Not Sure Which Type of Business You Need?
Launch CorpNet’s Business Structure Wizard to get suggested entities based on your unique needs. It’s free and easy to use.
Key Rhode Island Government Resources
Rhode Island Secretary of State
Division of Business Services
148 W. River Street
Providence, RI 02904
sos.ri.gov
Rhode Island Department of Revenue
One Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
tax.ri.gov
Feeling Overwhelmed? CorpNet Is Here To Help!
Below are all the ways CorpNet can help you and your business.
Our knowledge team of experts is here to help and all our services are backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Business Formation and Launch
- Business Name Search
- Business Name Reservation
- Form a Rhode Island LLC
- Incorporate in Rhode Island
- File a DBA
- Appoint a Registered Agent in Rhode Island
- Obtain an Employee Identification Number (EIN)
- Register for Rhode Island Payroll Taxes
- Request a Permit for Sales and Use Tax
- Research Required Business Licenses
Ongoing Business Compliance
Additional Resources and Articles
Compare Entities
- Choosing a Business Structure
- Business Structures Wizard
- Sole Proprietorship vs. Partnership
- Sole Proprietorship vs. LLC
- LLC vs. Partnership
- LLC vs. Corporation
- C Corporation vs. S Corporation
- S Corporation vs. LLC
- LLC vs. S Corp vs. C Corp
- DBA vs. LLC
- LLP vs. LLC
- LLC vs. PLLC
- Professional Corporation vs. LLC
- Single Member vs. Multiple Member LLC
- Member vs. Manager-Managed LLC
- Domestic LLC vs. Foreign LLC
Common Questions
- What is a Certificate of Incorporation?
- What is a Certificate of Registration?
- What is a Statement of Information?
- What are Articles of Incorporation?
- What are Articles of Organization?
- What is an Annual Franchise Tax Report?
- What is a Certificate of Authority?
- What is a Statement of Purpose?
- What Is a Fictitious Name?
- What is a Pass-Through Entity?
- What is the Owner of an LLC Called?
- What is the Role of an LLC Organizer?
- What Is a Registered Agent?
- What is a Statutory Agent?
- What is a Reseller License?
- What is a Corporate Resolution?
- What Is a Letter of Good Standing?
Helpful Templates
Need a Small Business Compliance Checklist?
Business compliance can slip through the cracks! As your existing business evolves, you are required to file notify the state of any changes. Many business owners lose sight of these requirements and fail to realize they haven’t met compliance requirements.
Use our compliance checklist to determine which business filings you need to perform to manage this year’s activities and changes.
