Rhode Island Corporation cost
Forming a corporation in Rhode Island costs $630 in state fees in year one, then about $450 a year to stay in good standing.
Forming a Rhode Island Corporation
You file Articles of Incorporation (Form 200), up to 75,000,000 authorized shares with the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division. The state fee is $230. See the official fee.
Every year after
- Business Corporation Annual Report (Form 630): $50, filed every year. Due: Filed between February 1 and May 1 each year.
- First one: Between February 1 and May 1 of the year after incorporation (the year of incorporation is excluded).
- If you're late: $25 penalty if not filed by May 31 ($75 total with the report); failure to file can lead to revocation proceedings.
- Official report page
State taxes that apply even to a small Corporation
- Annual charge / minimum business corporation tax: $400 — $400 per year, owed whether or not the business operates or makes a profit, and not prorated, including in the formation year. LLCs taxed as partnerships or S corps and S corporations pay the $400 annual charge with RI-1065 or RI-1120S by March 15. C corporations, and LLCs taxed as C corps, pay the greater of 7% of net income or $400 with RI-1120C by April 15. The $400 rate has applied since tax year 2017 (previously $450 for 2016 and $500 for 2004-2015). source
Worth knowing
- Formation costs $150 for an LLC, $230 for a corporation, and $35 for a nonprofit.
- Every LLC and corporation owes Rhode Island's $400 minimum tax/annual charge each year, including the formation year, whether or not it does business.
- Annual reports ($50 for businesses, $20 for nonprofits) are filed February 1 to May 1, with a $25 penalty after May 31.
- Administrative revocation does not stop fees and the $400 tax from accruing; only formal dissolution does.
Registered agent
Rhode Island requires a registered agent. Agent must have a Rhode Island street address (registered office) where they can be found during business hours; PO boxes, postal/shipping company addresses, and virtual addresses are not allowed. The owner can serve. You can serve as your own agent if you have a qualifying address; paid services usually charge a yearly fee.
| Other filings | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | $50 | |
| DBA / assumed name (state) | $50 | Fictitious Business Name Statement filed with the Department of State by corporations and LLCs ($50; $20 for nonprofits). Sole proprietors and general partnerships register a trade name with the city or town clerk. |
| Expedited processing | — | Not offered |
| Foreign Corporation registration | $310 | Application for Certificate of Authority (Form 250), up to 75,000,000 authorized shares |
Fees last checked 2026-10-20 against Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division and the state revenue department. States change fees — confirm on the linked page before you file.
Thinking about forming somewhere else?
If you operate in Rhode Island, an out-of-state Corporation also has to register here as a foreign entity. See both costs side by side: