FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2023
CONTACT INFO. :
Office of the Mayor
Dir. of Communications & Proj. Mgt.
Patricia Resende
(401) 435-7500 Ext 11013 / (401) 529-3207
City of East Providence Council and Administration work with local delegation to implement Tax Amnesty program
EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – The City of East Providence City Council voted to approve a taxation ordinance that will offer property owners some much-needed relief.
The Administration, together with the East Providence City Council, worked to offer an opportunity for property owners to be up-to-date on their taxes by creating a tax amnesty program.
Legislation (House Bill H-6165 and Senate Bill S-885) enabling the program, which is limited in scope to those property owners who are already behind and have accumulated substantial penalties, offers property owners some relief by eliminating up to $10,000 in accrued penalties.
“Residential and commercial property owners have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic causing many to fall behind on their real estate tax payments,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “My Administration believes by implementing this tax amnesty program, property owners will have the opportunity to become current on their taxes without the added burden of going to tax sale.”
“Good leadership is demonstrated when city and state leaders work together to assist taxpayers during difficult times,” Council President Bob Rodericks said. “By temporarily eliminating penalties for homeowners who fell behind on taxes owed, we are giving people a chance to keep their homes. People in this category must still pay all base taxes owed and hopefully get a fresh start.”
House Bill 6165 and Senate Bill 885 entitled “An Act Relating to Taxation – Levy and Assessment of Local Taxes” were passed in the Rhode Island House by Representatives Katherine Kazarian, Jennifer Boylan, Matt Dawson and Briana Henries and in the Senate by Senators Valerie Lawson, Robert Britto and Pam Lauria.
The Taxation Ordinances were approved by the East Providence City Council.
Sec. 16-56. One-Time Tax Amnesty Period.
Taxation Ordinance:
SECTION I. Article IV entitled, “Property Tax On Ratable Real Estate And Tangible Personal Property And Excise Tax On Registered Motor Vehicles And Trailers” of Chapter 16 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled, “Taxation,” is amended by adding thereto the following:
Sec. 16-56. One-Time Tax Amnesty Period-Real Property Tax Payments.
a) In accordance with Rhode Island General Laws §44-5-8.6, entitled “East Providence – Tax Amnesty Period – Real Property Tax Payments” or as such may be renumbered but having the same title, the City of East Providence by and through enactment of this Ordinance, does hereby authorize a sixty-day (60) period during fiscal year 2023 whereby a waiver of interest and penalties in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) on overdue real property tax payments may be made if the request for a waiver of interest and penalties is:
1) in writing, on a designated form created by the Tax Assessor, and
2) such form shall be signed, dated, and submitted to the Tax Collector by the taxpayer within the sixty-day (60) waiver period beginning August 15, 2023 and ending October 14, 2023, and
3) the taxpayer must pay all delinquent and/or overdue taxes in full, and the taxpayer must pay all other remaining taxes, penalties and interest that remain due and owing above and beyond the grant of a $10,000 waiver, and all such payments must be made in full during the amnesty period.
b) In accordance with Rhode Island General Laws §44-5-8.6(b), the Tax Assessor shall provide the City Council with a report at the conclusion of the amnesty period which shall include a copy of the applications and shall further specify whether or not the Tax Assessor made the decision to grant amnesty in accordance with Rhode Island General Laws §44-5-8.6(b) and (c).
c) Waivers of interest and penalties shall not be granted for any taxes contained in the 2023 tax bill.
Sec. 16-57. One-Time Tax Amnesty Period-Tangible and motor vehicle taxes.
a) In accordance with Rhode Island General Laws §44-5-8.6, entitled “East Providence – Tax Amnesty Periods – Tangible and motor vehicle taxes” or as such may be renumbered but having the same title, the City of East Providence by and through enactment of this Ordinance, does hereby authorize a sixty-day (60) period during fiscal year 2023 whereby a waiver of interest and penalties on overdue tangible and/or motor vehicle tax payments may be made if the request for a waiver of interest and penalties is:
1) in writing, on a designated form created by the Tax Assessor, and
2) such form shall be signed, dated, and submitted to the Tax Collector by the taxpayer within the sixty-day (60) waiver period beginning August 15, 2023 and ending October 14, 2023, and
3) The Tax Assessor may grant amnesty in whole or in part, and
4) The taxpayer must pay all delinquent and/or overdue taxes in full, and the taxpayer must pay all other remaining taxes, penalties and interest that remain due and owing, and all such payments must be made in full during the amnesty period.
b) In accordance with Rhode Island General Laws §44-5-8.6(b), the Tax Assessor shall provide the City Council with a report at the conclusion of the amnesty period which shall include a copy of the applications and shall further specify whether or not the Tax Assessor made the decision to grant amnesty and whether any grant of amnesty was in whole or in part as such shall be in accordance with Rhode Island General Laws §44-5-8.6(b) and (c).
c) Waivers of interest and penalties shall not be granted for any taxes contained in the 2023 tax bill.
