Rhode Island lesson 4 of 6
Get an EIN and open a bank account
Your EIN identifies the LLC to the IRS and to banks, and every LLC registered with the Department of State also has separate filing obligations with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation from day one.
Applying for the EIN
Apply for free directly on the IRS website once your Articles of Organization are on file. If the responsible party has a US social security number or ITIN, the EIN is issued immediately online; otherwise the application is filed on Form SS-4 by fax or mail.
Registering with the Division of Taxation
Every entity registered with the RI Department of State has filing requirements with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation even if no business is conducted in Rhode Island in a given year. Register with the Division of Taxation to set up sales tax permits, employer withholding, and the entity's income or minimum tax filings.
Opening the account
Bring the filed Articles of Organization, your EIN confirmation letter, an operating agreement if you have one, and identification for signers and significant owners. Routing all income and expenses through this account is one of the clearest ways to preserve the LLC's liability shield.
Key takeaways
- The EIN is free and issued by the IRS.
- Every RI-registered LLC has separate Division of Taxation filing duties, even with no in-state activity.
- Keep business and personal funds in separate accounts.
Official sources
Or let us file your Rhode Island LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Articles of Organization (Form 400), act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team