NEW: The Division of Taxation and the Department of Labor and Training are updating the new business registration online application on January 23rd. To accommodate these changes, the existing online application will not be available starting on January 21st. Please note, if you have already started your application but have not submitted it, you will need to complete that application before January 21st to avoid losing any information in the application.
UPDATE: Licensing and enforcement of ENDS products The Division of Taxation has posted the list of Rhode Island-licensed distributors with a unified cigarette, tobacco, and electronic nicotine-delivery system (ENDS) products license. Rhode Island retailers/dealers are required to purchase these products, except for cigars, from only Rhode Island-licensed distributors. The list is available at Unified License List - January 2025 and under Miscellaneous Links on the Division’s ENDS tax webpage.Licensing and enforcement of Electronic Nicotine-Delivery System (ENDS) products, also known as ecigarettes or vapes, are being transitioned to the Rhode Island Division of Taxation. For more information, please see the Division’s Notice and/or visit the ENDS tax webpage.
Registration The Rhode Island Division of Taxation allows for multiple taxes to be registered on a single "Business Application for Registration" (BAR) form. We suggest registering your business online, but also support registration via mail. Register Online The Division of Taxation allows for online registration for a new business. This fully interactive service allows you to register your business and pay associated registration fees with your credit card. This application may be used to register your business for the following: Permit to make sales at retail Income tax withholding account (including withholding for pensions or trusts) Rhode Island Unemployment insurance account (including Rhode Island temporary disability insurance (TDI) and Rhode Island job development fund tax) Only the registration for the permit to make sales at retail (including litter fee, cigarette license) require registration fees. If you are registering for any of these items, you will be asked for your credit card information at the end of the registration process. Click here to Register your Business Register by Mail If you would prefer to register via mail, you can find a copy of the registration form on the Other Forms/ Registration Forms webpage. Find out more about Starting a Business in Rhode Island Please note that taxation registration is just one of the steps in setting up a new business. For more information, please see the Rhode Island Secretary of State webpage on starting a new business.