2018 -- H 7274

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

     Introduced By: Representatives Canario, Edwards, Phillips, Donovan, and Corvese

     Date Introduced: January 24, 2018

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 44-5-8.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-5 entitled "Levy and

Assessment of Local Taxes" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     44-5-8.1. Waiver of interest on overdue quarterly tax payments.

     (a) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to the contrary, any city or town

may, by ordinance duly enacted, authorize a waiver of interest on one quarter's overdue property

tax payment and allow the remaining balance of taxes owed to be paid on a quarterly basis if all

of the following conditions are satisfied by the taxpayer:

     (1) The property subject to the overdue payment is the residence of the taxpayer and has

been for the five (5) years immediately preceding the tax payment which is overdue.

     (2) The request for a waiver of interest is in writing, signed and dated by the taxpayer.

     (3) The taxpayer has made timely payments of taxes to the city or town for the five (5)

years immediately preceding the tax payment, which is overdue. The burden of proof of timely

payments shall be upon the taxpayer.

     (4) The bill for which the payment is overdue was issued less than two (2) years prior to

the date of the request for a waiver of interest.

     (b) In no event shall the waiver of interest on a tax bill exceed five hundred dollars

($500). Decisions of the tax collector shall be in writing and contain a notice to the city or town

council. If the taxpayer receives an adverse decision from the tax collector, the taxpayer must pay

the interest and may file a claim for reimbursement with the city or town council within ten (10)

days of the decision.

     (c) Any request for a waiver of taxes which meets criteria established by this section

pursuant to a duly enacted ordinance shall be granted by the city or town.

     (d) The town of Little Compton shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

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     This act would exempt the town of Little Compton from the law allowing municipalities

to waive interest on one quarter of overdue property tax payments.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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