State
Rhode Island
Year
2017
Variations in Receipt of Benefit
No Variation in Receipt of Benefits
Benefit Type
Assessment Freeze
Benefit
The exemption is a freeze of the rate and valuation of the property. Several assessment freezes with varying eligibility requirements have been authorized throughout the state. Through local option, cities and towns may offer real and personal property tax relief in the form of a valuation freeze to residents based on certain criteria. Depending on the town, assessment freezes are available to: (1)100% disabled heads of household who are unable to work as of the date of the disability. (2)Elderly residents who are over 65 (3)Those whose property taxes have increased by a certain percentage (4)Those whose property tax obligations are more than a given percent of their household income. Or to some combination of these qualities. An application must be filed with the city or town on the first year in which the applicant seeks the benefit. The filing must occur by a date determined by the city or town. This benefit is in addition to any other property tax benefit provided by law for which the applicant may qualify. Consult local tax jurisdictions for additional information.
How is Benefit Disbursed
Credit to the property tax bill
Eligible Property Type
Residential
Characteristics of Eligible Property
Only single family residential property is eligible for this program.
Eligibility Criteria
Age
Disability
Income Ceiling
Description of Eligibility Criteria
Assessment freezes contain varying eligibility requirements that include age, disability, income, tax liability as a percent of income, and an increase in the percent of property taxes over the prior year's property taxes. These eligibility requirements vary by town. Those applying for assessment freezes for 100% disability must be unable to work as of the date of the disability. Some programs only apply to single family dwellings or two family dwellings in which a disabled person resides, depending on the options adopted by the town.
Local Option in Adoption of Program
Local government must take action to opt in
Local Option Regarding Program Features
Local option regarding program features
State Funding for Local Tax Loss
Local government covers all of its tax loss
Description of State Funding for Tax Loss
The state statute is silent on this.
Record ID
RI102_RR17
Footnotes
Sources
R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-15.1;
R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-16;
R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-16.2;
R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-31.1 (in effect for 2017)
Rhode Island Department of Revenue Veteran Senior and Other Tax Exemption Programs by Location (2017) [http://www.municipalfinance.ri.gov/documents/data/exemptions/ExemptionsReport2017.pdf Accessed 02/28/2018] View Archived Source