Start a Business in Rhode Island
Costs, permits, taxes, and requirements for RI.
- Cost rank
- 38th of 50
- 104% of the national average · 12 states cost more
- State income tax
- 3.75-5.99%
- Charged on top of federal income tax
- Sales tax
- 7%
- You collect it on taxable sales and remit it to the state
- LLC filing fee
- $150
- One-off, paid to the Secretary of State · 11th most expensive of 50 (median $100)
Where Rhode Island sits on cost
Cheapest third to most expensive third, by startup cost index. Hover a state for its index and rank.
What's different in Rhode Island
The whole state is one service area. An hour of driving covers most of it, so a single van and a single licence reach every customer you are ever going to have here, and there is nowhere to expand into afterwards. Sales tax is set once at state level with no municipal add-ons, which makes quoting simpler than in any neighbour. The coast earns in a short summer, and a surprising number of small businesses take a disproportionate share of the year's revenue between June and the start of autumn.
- One service area, end to end
- Most of the state is inside an hour's drive, so one vehicle and one licence cover it.
- One rate, statewide
- There are no municipal add-ons, so the price you quote in one town holds in all of them.
- June to September does the earning
- Coastal demand is concentrated in a short summer while the rent runs all twelve months.
Business Guides for Rhode Island
All 53, cheapest first. Ranges are what that business actually costs in RI.
Under $10K 20
- Notary Services $336 – $2,240
- Pet Sitting $520 – $3,120
- Social Media Management $525 – $3,125
- Dog Walking $520 – $5,200
- Web Design $525 – $5,200
- Cleaning Business $1,600 – $8,300
- E-Commerce $520 – $10,400
- Tutoring $525 – $10,400
- Window Cleaning $1,040 – $10,400
- Graphic Design $1,050 – $10,400
- Bookkeeping $2,075 – $10,400
- Handyman $2,100 – $10,400
- Personal Training $2,100 – $10,400
- Lawn Care $2,100 – $12,500
- Tax Preparation $2,075 – $15,600
- House Painting $2,080 – $15,600
- Pool Cleaning $2,080 – $15,600
- Auto Detailing $3,100 – $15,600
- Photography $3,100 – $15,600
- Pressure Washing $3,100 – $15,600
$10K – $50K 18
- Vending Machine $3,360 – $16,800
- Consulting $1,050 – $20,800
- Event Planning $2,075 – $20,800
- DJ Service $3,125 – $20,800
- Interior Design $2,080 – $26,000
- Carpet Cleaning $5,200 – $26,000
- Landscaping $5,200 – $26,000
- Massage Therapy $5,200 – $26,000
- Mobile Spa $8,960 – $28,000
- Wedding Photography $10,400 – $41,600
- Junk Removal $5,200 – $52,000
- Pest Control $10,400 – $52,000
- Pet Grooming $5,200 – $78,000
- Catering $10,400 – $78,000
- Florist $10,400 – $78,000
- Tree Service $10,400 – $78,000
- Electrician $15,600 – $78,000
- Plumbing $15,600 – $78,000
$50K and up 15
- Yoga Studio $15,600 – $104,000
- Bakery $450 – $120,000
- HVAC $20,800 – $104,000
- Moving Company $22,400 – $112,000
- Barber Shop $27,500 – $132,000
- Nail Salon $33,000 – $165,000
- Hair Salon $38,500 – $165,000
- Gym $55,000 – $165,000
- Food Truck $50,000 – $175,000
- Ice Cream Shop $52,000 – $312,000
- Coffee Shop $92,000 – $345,000
- Daycare $5,200 – $520,000
- Car Wash $52,000 – $520,000
- Laundromat $104,000 – $520,000
- Restaurant $192,500 – $550,000
Get a personalized cost estimate for Rhode Island
Calculate CostsBusiness Requirements in Rhode Island
Register Your Business
File with Rhode Island Secretary of State. LLC fee: $150
Get Business License
Most cities require a general business license ($50-$300).
Get EIN
Free from IRS. Required for bank accounts and taxes.
Register for Sales Tax
State rate: 7%. Local taxes may apply.
Get Business Insurance
General liability protects from lawsuits. Often required by landlords.