Business Assistant - Rhode Island Secretary of State (2024)

You must make sure your business is in compliance with municipal ordinances by contacting the City Clerk at East Providence City Hall and asking:

-- If you need any municipal level permits or licenses  

-- What municipal level taxes will look like for your business

-- If the space you want to use is zoned for the type of business you want to conduct (If you will be working out of your home, ask if there are any restrictions on running a business out of your home.) If you will be operating out of a brick-and-mortar location, it is best practice to get approval from the Zoning Board before committing to a lease.

-- To contact the City Clerk, go to https://live-east-providence-ri.pantheonsite.io/files-docs/20-12-14/new-business-registration-information, call 401-435-7500 or visit 145 Taunton Ave, East Providence, RI.

-- For more resources starting a business in East Providence, visit the East Providence Economic Development webpage at https://www.eastprovidencebusiness.com/

The Articles of Organization is the form used to register a Limited Liability Company with the State of Rhode Island. It is filed at the RI Department of State | Secretary of State's Office | Business Services Division.

For filing instructions and to download the form or file online visit: https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/business-services/ri-business/start-your-rhode-island-business

If you have any questions regarding the filing of this form, please contact the Secretary of State's office at (401) 222-3040 or corporations@sos.ri.gov.

You can also book a one-on-one virtual appointment here: https://app.reframeengage.com/calendar/public/212410f2-a0ab-4a33-a3da-ddead3290eeb

If you will be selling products or taxable services, you must use this form to apply for a retail sales permit and open a sales tax account. If you are selling products, a retail sales permit is required even if the products you are selling are not taxable. If you are selling services, the retail sales permit is only required if those services are taxable. If you are unsure if your products/services are subject to sales tax in RI, please contact the RI Division of Taxation Excise Section at tax.excise@tax.ri.gov.

Once you submit the BAR form, a sales tax account will be created for you and you will be responsible for filing monthly sales tax returns even when you have made $0 in taxable sales for the month. Read these Sales Tax FAQs to better understand how to file your required sales tax returns: https://tax.ri.gov/tax-sections/sales-excise-taxes/sales-use-tax

Please note that there is no charge for applying for a retail sales permit, but there may be a charge for other permits the BAR form is used for. The highest total cost of any one BAR form will be $50.

Other things the BAR form is used for:

--Creating income tax withholding accounts (necessary if hiring employees)

--Creating RI unemployment insurance accounts (necessary if hiring employees)

--Applying for cigarette licenses

--Applying for gasoline licenses

If you have any questions about the BAR form, please contact the BAR Form Hotline at 401-574-8938 or email Tax.Registration@tax.ri.gov.

Complete the BAR form online here: https://www.ri.gov/taxation/BAR/

In order to keep your business in good standing with the State of Rhode Island there are three things you must do every year:

1) File your annual report with the Secretary of State ($50 fee)

2) Maintain a valid Registered Agent and Registered Office with the Secretary of State

3) Pay all applicable business taxes. This includes a minimum corporate state tax of $400, even if you have generated $0 in income for the year.

Learn more about these annual maintenance requirements on our website: https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/business-services/ri-business/maintain-your-business

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number (TIN), and is used to identify a business entity. It is the number that will be used on all business tax forms. All LLCs and Corporations need an EIN number to file their state business tax returns. Sole Proprietorships have the option of applying for one, but the business owner may choose to use their social security number instead. Some banks also require an EIN when opening a business bank account.

Getting an EIN number is 100% free on the official IRS website, irs.gov. Beware of imposter websites charging you hundreds of dollars to obtain an EIN number.

Apply for your FREE EIN here: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/how-to-apply-for-an-ein