Starting a business in Rhode Island

HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN RHODE ISLAND

Starting a business in Rhode Island can and should be easier than you think. You file simple forms with the secretary of state, and your business is formed! Obviously there’s a few more things than that, but if you’d like to start your own business yourself, you will find it easy to hire us as your registered agent and you’ll find all the forms you could file to start a business in Rhode Island, along with great filing instructions on the quickest and cheapest ways to start your business in Rhode Island.

What’s the actual process to start a business in Rhode Island?

1. You file articles of incorporation for a Rhode Island corporation or articles of organization for a Rhode Island LLC with the RI Secretary of State. 
2. You obtain a federal tax ID number (FEIN or EIN) with the IRS after you have confirmation and filed articles from the State of Rhode Island showing your approved Rhode Island business.
3. Opening a business banking account under your new Rhode Island business name should be easy with these two items.
4. If you’re going to have employees or need to withhold sales tax, you will probably need to register with the RI Division of Taxation. We provide all these links in your online account.
5. If your business trade requires a license, you’ll have to apply for a license with the Rhode Island licensing board.  (Most businesses don’t.)  But if you do, these quick links and contact details are in your online account.
6. Some local cities or counties have a general license, but most don’t.
7. You obtain a local trade license if the city or county you’re going to be working in requires it.
8. If you’re going to have an office or shop you might need an approval from the city zoning for your type of business in that location.
9. If you get overwhelmed, just get your business pulling in money and worry about regulations later.

If you want a corporation, you file Rhode Island Articles of Incorporation:

The Rhode Island articles of incorporation cost $230 with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. 
We custom draft your Rhode Island articles of incorporation when you hire Northwest to start your Rhode Island business. The basic requirements of Rhode Island corporations are:
An incorporating ending such as Inc, corporation, or incorporated;

• The corporation is perpetual,
• The corporations purpose is general,
• The amount of Rhode Island corporation shares you would like to authorize;
• The class of the shares;
• The par value of the shares is $.01 unless you state otherwise;
• The name, address, and signature of each incorporator;
• The articles are effective upon filing unless you specify otherwise;
• The registered agent of the proposed Rhode Island corporation 

Rhode Island does not require original signatures on new RI corporation filings. The SOS doesn’t return the filing to you. You have to search online.

If you want a LLC, you file Rhode Island Articles of Organization:

To form a Rhode Island LLC, you file Rhode Island articles of organization. The basic requirements of Rhode Island LLC filings are:

• The business name must have a limited liability company ending or variation of it.
• New Rhode Island LLCs name must be different than already registered Rhode Island companies.
• Choose whether your Rhode Island LLC is to be taxed as a partnership, corporation, or a disregarded entity.
• The duration of the Rhode Island LLC is perpetual unless you state a limited one.
• The purpose of the Rhode Island limited liability company is general unless you state a specific one.
• The Rhode Island registered agent and the physical address.
• The name, address, and signature of the organizer.
• If the limited liability company is to be managed by one or more managers or members.      If manager managed, list the managers at the time of filing
• The articles of organization are effective when filed unless you state a later effective date.

Rhode Island does not require original signatures on new RI LLC filings. You’ll get a certificate of formation mailed back to you after the state approves your filing.

Are you a do-it-yourselfer? You can save some money:   

If you want to start a business in Rhode Island yourself, you can just hire us as your Rhode Island registered agent, and you'll instantly have the Rhode Island LLC or corporation forms to file along with filing instructions on the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient way to incorporate a Rhode Island corporation or form a Rhode Island LLC. You'll get the ongoing support of our online tools, reminders and the support of a professional Rhode Island registered agent service.