Rhode Island LLC cost (2026)
Startup, filing, and ongoing fees for a Rhode Island LLC — with a full breakdown, a five-year projection, and a free calculator that's already set to Rhode Island.
Last reviewed: June 2026
How much does an LLC cost in Rhode Island?
Forming an LLC in Rhode Island costs $150 to file your Articles of Organization with the Rhode Island Secretary of State — roughly in line with the national average (the national average is about $129), which ranks Rhode Island the 38th cheapest of 51 states to file in. Do it yourself and a realistic first-year total lands near $200; hire a registered agent and budget around $325.
Beyond the one-time filing fee, Rhode Island charges about $50 for its annual report — so the honest cost of an Rhode Island LLC is the filing fee plus that recurring amount every year. Remember that these are formation and compliance costs only — Rhode Island's state income tax on your pass-through profit is separate. The full breakdown, a five-year projection, and a personalized estimator are below.
Rhode Island LLC cost breakdown (2026)
Every cost of forming and maintaining a Rhode Island LLC — what's required, what's optional, and what each item runs.
| Cost | Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island filing fee (Articles of Organization) | $150 | One-time | One-time, paid to the Secretary of State when you form the LLC. |
| Annual report | $50/yr | Recurring | Rhode Island requires an annual report ($50). |
| Registered agent | $0–$125/yr | Optional | Free if you act as your own agent; a service adds privacy and reliability. |
| Operating agreement | $0–$200 | Optional | Free with a DIY template, or more through a legal service. |
| EIN (federal tax ID) | Free | One-time | Issued directly by the IRS — never pay a third party for this. |
What a Rhode Island LLC really costs: 3 scenarios
The right number depends on how much you do yourself. Here's the realistic first-year cost for the three most common approaches.
$150 filing + $50 ongoing. You act as your own registered agent and use a free EIN and operating-agreement template.
Adds ~$125/yr for a registered agent service — the usual choice for privacy or if you're often away from your Rhode Island address.
A formation company files for you and bundles the agent; base packages are often $0 + the $150 state fee, with paid tiers for extras.
5-year cost of a Rhode Island LLC
One-time fees are easy to forget once you're running. Here's the cumulative cost of a Rhode Island LLC over five years, assuming you use a registered agent service (~$175/yr ongoing).
| Period | Cost that year | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $325 | $325 |
| Year 2 | $175 | $500 |
| Year 3 | $175 | $675 |
| Year 4 | $175 | $850 |
| Year 5 | $175 | $1,025 |
Acting as your own registered agent removes the ~$125/yr agent line, lowering the five-year total to about $400.
Rhode Island LLC cost calculator
Get a personalized estimate for your situation. Your state is already set to Rhode Island — just choose the services you need.
Your estimate will appear here
Fill in your state and the services you need, then calculate.
Can you lower the cost?
The two biggest levers are being your own registered agent (saves ~$125/yr) and getting your EIN free from the IRS instead of paying for it. If you operate in Rhode Island, forming here is usually cheapest overall — forming in another state typically forces you to register (and pay) in Rhode Island anyway.
Compare Rhode Island costs with other statesFrequently asked questions
The core cost is the $150 Rhode Island filing fee for your Articles of Organization. A do-it-yourself first year totals about $200; adding a registered agent service brings it to roughly $325. An EIN from the IRS is free.
Related guides
This tool provides educational estimates and general guidance only. It is not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Always verify requirements with official government sources or consult a qualified professional before making decisions.
Form your Rhode Island LLC for the price of the state fee
Formation services with $0 base packages — you just cover the state filing fee.
Beginner-friendly platform bundling formation, compliance reminders, and optional banking and accounting.
- Guided onboarding
- Compliance dashboard
- Good for first-time founders
Fast, guided formation service with helpful onboarding specialists and built-in compliance reminders.
- Fast, guided filing
- Helpful onboarding specialists
- Compliance reminders included
Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you choose a provider through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Our recommendations are based on editorial research and tool relevance.