RI Business Assistant
The RI Business Assistant is an interactive tool for business owners and non-profit members to create a customized checklist of legal requirements and support resources tailored to their specific needs.
Important Note
The RI Business Assistant does not register your business for you. It is only an informational tool. It should not be used in place of professional, legal, or tax advice.
Important Note
The RI Business Assistant does not register your business for you. It is only an informational tool. It should not be used in place of professional, legal, or tax advice.
Create Your Customized Checklist
Based on your answers to a few questions, the RI Business Assistant will give you a customized checklist of tasks to perform with state and local agencies, laws and regulations to review, and support organizations that can help your business or non-profit thrive.
Create Your ChecklistWho should use the RI Business Assistant?
- Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Even if you don’t have a business yet, the RI Business Assistant can help you map out the steps to make your dream a reality.
- Startups: There are so many things to consider when starting a new venture. The RI Business Assistant can help you make sure you didn’t miss a step. It can also connect you with business support organizations that can help you start off on the right foot.
- Existing Businesses Looking to Expand: If you are adding a new service or product offering, changing your legal structure, or branching out into a new industry, you may need additional licenses or help updating your business registration. The RI Business Assistant is a great way to explore this unfamiliar territory.
- Out-of-State/Foreign Businesses: The RI Business Assistant is a great tool to research the Rhode Island laws and regulations that will govern your businesses should you choose to do business in the Ocean State.
- Non-Profits: No matter what stage your non-profit is in, the RI Business Assistant can help ensure your organization is compliant with state requirements and prepare you to navigate federal and state tax exemption.
What Can I Expect on My Checklist?
While the information in your checklist will be unique to your specific business or non-profit needs, all users can expect helpful information in the following categories:
Business Licensing Applications
Most businesses and non- profits will require licenses from one or more state agencies in order to legally operate. For example, if your organization is serving food, you will need to seek licensure from the RI Department of Health.
Instructions for Registering Your Business/Non-Profit
The documents required to register and maintain your business registration in the state depend on where your business is formed and what legal structure you have chosen (LLC, Partnership, Corporation, Non-Profit, etc.).
Please Note: The RI Business Assistant will not register your business for you, but it will give you step-by-step instructions on how to register!
Support Resources
There are many organizations in Rhode Island that offer free or low-cost services for entrepreneurs. Services range from leadership training, marketing, business planning, B2B sales assistance, one-on-one mentorship, and in some cases even funding.
State Laws and Regulations
State laws and regulations contain specific rules for how to run your day-to-day operations. These laws and regulations can be extensive, and it is important to understand the state’s legal requirements for your business and which state agencies govern your business activity.
Contact Information for Local Governments
Did you know that cities and towns have their own local licenses and permits for businesses and non-profits? Even if you are running your operations entirely online, there may be local laws that dictate what business activities you can or cannot do from home.
Tax Considerations
In addition to income tax, businesses need to account for other taxes like minimum corporate tax, sales tax, and employment taxes.
Non-profits can also use the RI Business Assistant to better understand federal tax exemption, which is not automatically granted to your organization.