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art.004/7/004/6/004/5/004/4/004/3/004/2/004/1

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ARTICLE 4 AS AMENDED

RELATING TO TAXES

SECTION 1. Title 44 of the General Laws entitled "TAXATION" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 5.3

STATEWIDE TANGIBLE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION

44-5.3-1. Municipal tangible property tax exemption.

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 5 of this title or any other provisions of law

to the contrary, in an effort to provide relief for businesses, including small businesses, and to

promote economic development, a city, town, or fire district shall provide each tangible property

taxpayer on the aggregate amount of all ratable, tangible personal property not otherwise exempt

from taxation an exemption from taxation of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) applicable to the

assessment date of December 31, 2023, and for each assessment date thereafter. All ratable,

tangible, personal property valued above fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) remains subject to

taxation.

(b) Individual personal exemptions granted to tangible property taxpayers in any city, town,

or fire district at the time of the effective date of this chapter shall be applied to assessed values

prior to applying the statewide exemption provided in this section in order that any lost revenue to

be reimbursed pursuant to this chapter for each respective city, town, or fire district shall not include

revenue loss resulting from these individual personal exemptions.

(c) Exemptions existing and uniformly applied to all tangible property taxpayers in any

city, town, or fire district at the time of the effective date of this chapter shall be disregarded in

order that any lost revenue to be reimbursed pursuant to this chapter for each respective city, town,

or fire district shall include revenue loss resulting from such pre-existing preexisting uniform

exemptions.

44-5.3-2. Reimbursement of lost tax revenue.

(a) Beginning in fiscal year 2025 and for each fiscal year thereafter, cities, towns, and fire

districts shall receive reimbursements, as set forth in this section, from state general revenues for

lost tax revenues due to the reduction of the tangible property tax resulting from the statewide

exemption set forth in § 44-5.3-1.

(b) Beginning in fiscal year 2025, and for each fiscal year thereafter, cities, towns, and fire

districts shall receive a reimbursement equal to the tangible property levy for the assessment date

of December 31, 2022, minus the tangible personal property levy for the assessment date of

December 31, 2023.

(c) Reimbursements shall be distributed in full to cities, towns, and fire districts on

September 30, 2024, and every September 30 thereafter; provided, however, that reimbursement

shall not be provided to any city, town, or fire district in any year in which it has failed to provide

to the division of municipal finance its certified tax roll in accordance with § 44-5-22 or any other

information required by the division of municipal finance to calculate the reimbursement amount.

44-5.3-3. Tangible property tax rate cap.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the tax rate for the class of

property that includes tangible personal property for any city, town, or fire district shall be capped

and shall not exceed thereafter the tax rate in effect for the assessment date of December 31, 2022.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, for assessment dates on and

after December 31, 2023, any city, town, or fire district shall be permitted to tax all other classes

of property, or where no classification has been enacted all other types of property, at a different

tax rate than the tax rate for tangible personal property required by subsection (a) of this section.

44-5.3-4. Removal of certain limitations and requirements.

For assessment dates on or after December 31, 2023, tangible tax rates shall be disregarded

for purposes of compliance with limitations on the extent to which the effective tax rate of one class

of property may exceed that of another, or requirements that the same percentage rate change be

applied across property classes from one year to the next, under § 44-5-11.8 or any other similar

statutory provision applicable to a city, town, or fire district.

44-5.3-5. Application.

The statewide exemption set forth in this chapter shall not apply to:

(1) Public service corporation tangible property subject to taxation pursuant to § 44-13-13;

and

(2) Renewable energy resources and associated equipment subject to taxation pursuant to

§ 44-5-3(c).

SECTION 2. Chapter 44-13 of the General Laws entitled “Public Service Corporation Tax”

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

44-13-37. Temporary Relief from the Gross Earnings Tax on Electricity and Gas.

(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Electric utility customer” means an individual or business who purchases electricity

from a utility company during any of the months between and including December 2023 through

March 2024.

(2) “Gas utility customer” means an individual or business who or that purchases natural

gas from a utility company during any of the months between and including December 2023

through March 2024.

(3) “Utility company” means any entity that qualifies as a “public service company”

pursuant to § 44-13-2.1 and a “corporation” for the purposes of § 44-13-4(2) or § 44-13-4(6) and

sells electricity to an electric utility customer or sells natural gas to a gas utility customer for any

of the months between and including December 2023 through March 2024.

(b) (1) A utility company may be eligible for a rebate payment in the amount of the public

service corporation tax due pursuant to § 44-13-4 that would be charged to its electric utility

customers or its gas utility customers for the months of December 2023 through March 2024. For

the months of December 2023 through March 2024:

(i) A utility company shall pay the public service corporation tax pursuant to, and in

accordance with, § 44-13-4;

(ii) A utility company shall not charge any electric utility customer or any gas utility

customer the tax due or paid pursuant to § 44-13-4, but shall continue to reflect the amount of the

tax due along with an offsetting credit on each bill for each electric utility customer or gas utility

customer.

(2) The rebate amount shall be determined by the division of taxation based on the

applicable tax paid by a utility company for electricity consumption by its electric utility customers

and/or for gas consumption by its gas utility customers between and including the months of

December 2023 and March 2024.

(3) The utility company must apply for a rebate on such forms and in such a manner as

prescribed by the division of taxation on or before May 31, 2024, and the rebate will be paid by the

division of taxation to the utility company.

(4) Rebate payments made under this subsection shall not be subject to offset and shall not

be considered gross earnings for the purposes of the public service corporation tax under this

chapter.

(5) In no event shall the rebate amount provided for in this section accrue interest for the

benefit of any utility company. The utility company shall not charge an electric utility customer or

a gas utility customer any fees or charges associated with the amounts qualifying for a rebate in

accordance with this section.

(6) In addition to all other penalties provided under Rhode Island state law, any utility

company that submits a fraudulent application or fails to otherwise comply with the terms of this

section for the December 2023 through March 2024 period shall pay a ten-dollar ($10.00) penalty

per registered active account. The utility company shall pay any rebate amount fraudulently

received to the division of taxation and credit the electric utility customer or gas utility customer

for any amounts fraudulently or improperly claimed by the utility company and paid by the electric

utility customer or gas utility customer. The tax administrator shall have the same powers to collect

payment under this subsection as under title 44 of the general laws.

(7) If an electric utility customer or a gas utility customer erroneously pays to the utility

company the tax due for the December 2023 through March 2024 period, or any portion thereof,

the utility company must refund the customer within thirty (30) days of the customer remitting the

payment.

(8) If any provision of this section or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity

shall not affect the provisions of this section which can be given effect without the invalid

provisions. Notwithstanding this subsection, all other subsections of this chapter shall remain in

full force and effect.

SECTION 3. Section 44-30-2.6 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-30 entitled "Personal

Income Tax" is hereby amended to read as follows:

44-30-2.6. Rhode Island taxable income — Rate of tax.

(a) “Rhode Island taxable income” means federal taxable income as determined under the

Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., not including the increase in the basic, standard-

deduction amount for married couples filing joint returns as provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax

Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 and the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of

2001 (EGTRRA), and as modified by the modifications in § 44-30-12.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 44-30-1 and 44-30-2, for tax years beginning on

or after January 1, 2001, a Rhode Island personal income tax is imposed upon the Rhode Island

taxable income of residents and nonresidents, including estates and trusts, at the rate of twenty-five

and one-half percent (25.5%) for tax year 2001, and twenty-five percent (25%) for tax year 2002

and thereafter of the federal income tax rates, including capital gains rates and any other special

rates for other types of income, except as provided in § 44-30-2.7, which were in effect immediately

prior to enactment of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA);

provided, rate schedules shall be adjusted for inflation by the tax administrator beginning in taxable

year 2002 and thereafter in the manner prescribed for adjustment by the commissioner of Internal

Revenue in 26 U.S.C. § 1(f). However, for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2006, a

taxpayer may elect to use the alternative flat tax rate provided in § 44-30-2.10 to calculate his or

her personal income tax liability.

(c) For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2001, if a taxpayer has an alternative

minimum tax for federal tax purposes, the taxpayer shall determine if he or she has a Rhode Island

alternative minimum tax. The Rhode Island alternative minimum tax shall be computed by

multiplying the federal tentative minimum tax without allowing for the increased exemptions under

the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (as redetermined on federal form 6251

Alternative Minimum Tax-Individuals) by twenty-five and one-half percent (25.5%) for tax year

2001, and twenty-five percent (25%) for tax year 2002 and thereafter, and comparing the product

to the Rhode Island tax as computed otherwise under this section. The excess shall be the taxpayer’s

Rhode Island alternative minimum tax.

(1) For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2005, and thereafter, the exemption

amount for alternative minimum tax, for Rhode Island purposes, shall be adjusted for inflation by

the tax administrator in the manner prescribed for adjustment by the commissioner of Internal

Revenue in 26 U.S.C. § 1(f).

(2) For the period January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2007, and thereafter, Rhode

Island taxable income shall be determined by deducting from federal adjusted gross income as

defined in 26 U.S.C. § 62 as modified by the modifications in § 44-30-12 the Rhode Island

itemized-deduction amount and the Rhode Island exemption amount as determined in this section.

(A) Tax imposed.

(1) There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of married individuals filing joint

returns and surviving spouses a tax determined in accordance with the following table:

If taxable income is: The tax is:

Not over $53,150 3.75% of taxable income

Over $53,150 but not over $128,500 $1,993.13 plus 7.00% of the excess over $53,150

Over $128,500 but not over $195,850 $7,267.63 plus 7.75% of the excess over $128,500

Over $195,850 but not over $349,700 $12,487.25 plus 9.00% of the excess over $195,850

Over $349,700 $26,333.75 plus 9.90% of the excess over $349,700

(2) There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of every head of household a tax

determined in accordance with the following table:

If taxable income is: The tax is:

Not over $42,650 3.75% of taxable income

Over $42,650 but not over $110,100 $1,599.38 plus 7.00% of the excess over $42,650

Over $110,100 but not over $178,350 $6,320.88 plus 7.75% of the excess over $110,100

Over $178,350 but not over $349,700 $11,610.25 plus 9.00% of the excess over $178,350

Over $349,700 $27,031.75 plus 9.90% of the excess over $349,700

(3) There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of unmarried individuals (other than

surviving spouses and heads of households) a tax determined in accordance with the following

table:

If taxable income is: The tax is:

Not over $31,850 3.75% of taxable income

Over $31,850 but not over $77,100 $1,194.38 plus 7.00% of the excess over $31,850

Over $77,100 but not over $160,850 $4,361.88 plus 7.75% of the excess over $77,100

Over $160,850 but not over $349,700 $10,852.50 plus 9.00% of the excess over $160,850

Over $349,700 $27,849.00 plus 9.90% of the excess over $349,700

(4) There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of married individuals filing separate

returns and bankruptcy estates a tax deter- mined in accordance with the following table:

If taxable income is: The tax is:

Not over $26,575 3.75% of taxable income

Over $26,575 but not over $64,250 $996.56 plus 7.00% of the excess over $26,575

Over $64,250 but not over $97,925 $3,633.81 plus 7.75% of the excess over $64,250

Over $97,925 but not over $174,850 $6,243.63 plus 9.00% of the excess over $97,925

Over $174,850 $13,166.88 plus 9.90% of the excess over $174,850

(5) There is hereby imposed a taxable income of an estate or trust a tax determined in

accordance with the following table:

If taxable income is: The tax is:

Not over $2,150 3.75% of taxable income

Over $2,150 but not over $5,000 $80.63 plus 7.00% of the excess over $2,150

Over $5,000 but not over $7,650 $280.13 plus 7.75% of the excess over $5,000

Over $7,650 but not over $10,450 $485.50 plus 9.00% of the excess over $7,650

Over $10,450 $737.50 plus 9.90% of the excess over $10,450

(6) Adjustments for inflation.

The dollars amount contained in paragraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to:

(a) Such dollar amount contained in paragraph (A) in the year 1993, multiplied by;

(b) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year of 1993;

(c) The cost-of-living adjustment referred to in subparagraphs (a) and (b) used in making

adjustments to the nine percent (9%) and nine and nine tenths percent (9.9%) dollar amounts shall

be determined under section (J) by substituting “1994” for “1993.”

(B) Maximum capital gains rates.

(1) In general.

If a taxpayer has a net capital gain for tax years ending prior to January 1, 2010, the tax

imposed by this section for such taxable year shall not exceed the sum of:

(a) 2.5% of the net capital gain as reported for federal income tax purposes under section

26 U.S.C. § 1(h)(1)(a) and 26 U.S.C. § 1(h)(1)(b).

(b) 5% of the net capital gain as reported for federal income tax purposes under 26 U.S.C.

§ 1(h)(1)(c).

(c) 6.25% of the net capital gain as reported for federal income tax purposes under 26

U.S.C. § 1(h)(1)(d).

(d) 7% of the net capital gain as reported for federal income tax purposes under 26 U.S.C.

§ 1(h)(1)(e).

(2) For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2010, the tax imposed on net capital gain

shall be determined under subdivision 44-30-2.6(c)(2)(A).

(C) Itemized deductions.

(1) In general.

For the purposes of section (2), “itemized deductions” means the amount of federal

itemized deductions as modified by the modifications in § 44-30-12.

(2) Individuals who do not itemize their deductions.

In the case of an individual who does not elect to itemize his deductions for the taxable

year, they may elect to take a standard deduction.

(3) Basic standard deduction.

The Rhode Island standard deduction shall be allowed in accordance with the following

table:

Filing status Amount

Single $5,350

Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) $8,900

Married filing separately $4,450

Head of Household $7,850

(4) Additional standard deduction for the aged and blind.

An additional standard deduction shall be allowed for individuals age sixty-five (65) or

older or blind in the amount of $1,300 for individuals who are not married and $1,050 for

individuals who are married.

(5) Limitation on basic standard deduction in the case of certain dependents.

In the case of an individual to whom a deduction under section (E) is allowable to another

taxpayer, the basic standard deduction applicable to such individual shall not exceed the greater of:

(a) $850;

(b) The sum of $300 and such individual’s earned income;

(6) Certain individuals not eligible for standard deduction.

In the case of:

(a) A married individual filing a separate return where either spouse itemizes deductions;

(b) Nonresident alien individual;

(c) An estate or trust;

The standard deduction shall be zero.

(7) Adjustments for inflation.

Each dollar amount contained in paragraphs (3), (4) and (5) shall be increased by an amount

equal to:

(a) Such dollar amount contained in paragraphs (3), (4) and (5) in the year 1988, multiplied

by

(b) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year of 1988.

(D) Overall limitation on itemized deductions.

(1) General rule.

In the case of an individual whose adjusted gross income as modified by § 44-30-12

exceeds the applicable amount, the amount of the itemized deductions otherwise allowable for the

taxable year shall be reduced by the lesser of:

(a) Three percent (3%) of the excess of adjusted gross income as modified by § 44-30-12

over the applicable amount; or

(b) Eighty percent (80%) of the amount of the itemized deductions otherwise allowable for

such taxable year.

(2) Applicable amount.

(a) In general.

For purposes of this section, the term “applicable amount” means $156,400 ($78,200 in the

case of a separate return by a married individual)

(b) Adjustments for inflation.

Each dollar amount contained in paragraph (a) shall be increased by an amount equal to:

(i) Such dollar amount contained in paragraph (a) in the year 1991, multiplied by

(ii) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year of 1991.

(3) Phase-out of Limitation.

(a) In general.

In the case of taxable year beginning after December 31, 2005, and before January 1, 2010,

the reduction under section (1) shall be equal to the applicable fraction of the amount which would

be the amount of such reduction.

(b) Applicable fraction.

For purposes of paragraph (a), the applicable fraction shall be determined in accordance

with the following table:

For taxable years beginning in calendar year The applicable fraction is

2006 and 2007 ⅔

2008 and 2009 ⅓

(E) Exemption amount.

(1) In general.

Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the term “exemption amount” means

$3,400.

(2) Exemption amount disallowed in case of certain dependents.

In the case of an individual with respect to whom a deduction under this section is allowable

to another taxpayer for the same taxable year, the exemption amount applicable to such individual

for such individual's taxable year shall be zero.

(3) Adjustments for inflation.

The dollar amount contained in paragraph (1) shall be increased by an amount equal to:

(a) Such dollar amount contained in paragraph (1) in the year 1989, multiplied by

(b) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year of 1989.

(4) Limitation.

(a) In general.

In the case of any taxpayer whose adjusted gross income as modified for the taxable year

exceeds the threshold amount shall be reduced by the applicable percentage.

(b) Applicable percentage.

In the case of any taxpayer whose adjusted gross income for the taxable year exceeds the

threshold amount, the exemption amount shall be reduced by two (2) percentage points for each

$2,500 (or fraction thereof) by which the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income for the taxable year

exceeds the threshold amount. In the case of a married individual filing a separate return, the

preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting ‘‘$1,250’’ for ‘‘$2,500.’’ In no event shall the

applicable percentage exceed one hundred percent (100%).

(c) Threshold Amount.

For the purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘‘threshold amount’’ shall be determined with

the following table:

Filing status Amount

Single $156,400

Married filing jointly of qualifying widow(er) $234,600

Married filing separately $117,300

Head of Household $195,500

(d) Adjustments for inflation.

Each dollar amount contained in paragraph (b) shall be increased by an amount equal to:

(i) Such dollar amount contained in paragraph (b) in the year 1991, multiplied by

(ii) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year of 1991.

(5) Phase-out of limitation.

(a) In general.

In the case of taxable years beginning after December 31, 2005, and before January 1,

2010, the reduction under section 4 shall be equal to the applicable fraction of the amount which

would be the amount of such reduction.

(b) Applicable fraction.

For the purposes of paragraph (a), the applicable fraction shall be determined in accordance

with the following table:

For taxable years beginning in calendar year The applicable fraction is

2006 and 2007 ⅔

2008 and 2009 ⅓

(F) Alternative minimum tax.

(1) General rule. There is hereby imposed (in addition to any other tax imposed by this

subtitle) a tax equal to the excess (if any) of:

(a) The tentative minimum tax for the taxable year, over

(b) The regular tax for the taxable year.

(2) The tentative minimum tax for the taxable year is the sum of:

(a) 6.5 percent of so much of the taxable excess as does not exceed $175,000, plus

(b) 7.0 percent of so much of the taxable excess above $175,000.

(3) The amount determined under the preceding sentence shall be reduced by the alternative

minimum tax foreign tax credit for the taxable year.

(4) Taxable excess. For the purposes of this subsection the term “taxable excess” means so

much of the federal alternative minimum taxable income as modified by the modifications in § 44-

30-12 as exceeds the exemption amount.

(5) In the case of a married individual filing a separate return, subparagraph (2) shall be

applied by substituting “$87,500” for $175,000 each place it appears.

(6) Exemption amount.

For purposes of this section "exemption amount" means:

Filing status Amount

Single $39,150

Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) $53,700

Married filing separately $26,850

Head of Household $39,150

Estate or trust $24,650

(7) Treatment of unearned income of minor children

(a) In general.

In the case of a minor child, the exemption amount for purposes of section (6) shall not

exceed the sum of:

(i) Such child's earned income, plus

(ii) $6,000.

(8) Adjustments for inflation.

The dollar amount contained in paragraphs (6) and (7) shall be increased by an amount

equal to:

(a) Such dollar amount contained in paragraphs (6) and (7) in the year 2004, multiplied by

(b) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year of 2004.

(9) Phase-out.

(a) In general.

The exemption amount of any taxpayer shall be reduced (but not below zero) by an amount

equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount by which alternative minimum taxable income

of the taxpayer exceeds the threshold amount.

(b) Threshold amount.

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “threshold amount” shall be determined with the

following table:

Filing status Amount

Single $123,250

Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) $164,350

Married filing separately $82,175

Head of Household $123,250

Estate or Trust $82,150

(c) Adjustments for inflation

Each dollar amount contained in paragraph (9) shall be increased by an amount equal to:

(i) Such dollar amount contained in paragraph (9) in the year 2004, multiplied by

(ii) The cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (J) with a base year of 2004.

(G) Other Rhode Island taxes.

(1) General rule. There is hereby imposed (in addition to any other tax imposed by this

subtitle) a tax equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of:

(a) The Federal income tax on lump-sum distributions.

(b) The Federal income tax on parents' election to report child's interest and dividends.

(c) The recapture of Federal tax credits that were previously claimed on Rhode Island

return.

(H) Tax for children under 18 with investment income.

(1) General rule. There is hereby imposed a tax equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of:

(a) The Federal tax for children under the age of 18 with investment income.

(I) Averaging of farm income.

(1) General rule. At the election of an individual engaged in a farming business or fishing

business, the tax imposed in section 2 shall be equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of:

(a) The Federal averaging of farm income as determined in IRC section 1301 [26 U.S.C. §

1301].

(J) Cost-of-living adjustment.

(1) In general.

The cost-of-living adjustment for any calendar year is the percentage (if any) by which:

(a) The CPI for the preceding calendar year exceeds

(b) The CPI for the base year.

(2) CPI for any calendar year.

For purposes of paragraph (1), the CPI for any calendar year is the average of the consumer

price index as of the close of the twelve (12) month period ending on August 31 of such calendar

year.

(3) Consumer price index.

For purposes of paragraph (2), the term “consumer price index” means the last consumer

price index for all urban consumers published by the department of labor. For purposes of the

preceding sentence, the revision of the consumer price index that is most consistent with the

consumer price index for calendar year 1986 shall be used.

(4) Rounding.

(a) In general.

If any increase determined under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $50, such increase shall

be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50.

(b) In the case of a married individual filing a separate return, subparagraph (a) shall be

applied by substituting “$25” for $50 each place it appears.

(K) Credits against tax. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2001, a taxpayer

entitled to any of the following federal credits enacted prior to January 1, 1996, shall be entitled to

a credit against the Rhode Island tax imposed under this section:

(1) [Deleted by P.L. 2007, ch. 73, art. 7, § 5.]

(2) Child and dependent care credit;

(3) General business credits;

(4) Credit for elderly or the disabled;

(5) Credit for prior year minimum tax;

(6) Mortgage interest credit;

(7) Empowerment zone employment credit;

(8) Qualified electric vehicle credit.

(L) Credit against tax for adoption. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2006,

a taxpayer entitled to the federal adoption credit shall be entitled to a credit against the Rhode Island

tax imposed under this section if the adopted child was under the care, custody, or supervision of

the Rhode Island department of children, youth and families prior to the adoption.

(M) The credit shall be twenty-five percent (25%) of the aforementioned federal credits

provided there shall be no deduction based on any federal credits enacted after January 1, 1996,

including the rate reduction credit provided by the federal Economic Growth and Tax

Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA). In no event shall the tax imposed under this section be

reduced to less than zero. A taxpayer required to recapture any of the above credits for federal tax

purposes shall determine the Rhode Island amount to be recaptured in the same manner as

prescribed in this subsection.

(N) Rhode Island earned-income credit.

(1) In general.

For tax years beginning before January 1, 2015, a taxpayer entitled to a federal earned-

income credit shall be allowed a Rhode Island earned-income credit equal to twenty-five percent

(25%) of the federal earned-income credit. Such credit shall not exceed the amount of the Rhode

Island income tax.

For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, and before January 1, 2016, a taxpayer

entitled to a federal earned-income credit shall be allowed a Rhode Island earned-income credit

equal to ten percent (10%) of the federal earned-income credit. Such credit shall not exceed the

amount of the Rhode Island income tax.

For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2016, a taxpayer entitled to a federal earned-

income credit shall be allowed a Rhode Island earned-income credit equal to twelve and one-half

percent (12.5%) of the federal earned-income credit. Such credit shall not exceed the amount of the

Rhode Island income tax.

For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2017, a taxpayer entitled to a federal earned-

income credit shall be allowed a Rhode Island earned-income credit equal to fifteen percent (15%)

of the federal earned-income credit. Such credit shall not exceed the amount of the Rhode Island

income tax.

For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, a taxpayer entitled to a federal earned-

income credit shall be allowed a Rhode Island earned-income credit equal to sixteen percent (16%)

of the federal earned-income credit. Such credit shall not exceed the amount of the Rhode Island

income tax.

(2) Refundable portion.

In the event the Rhode Island earned-income credit allowed under paragraph (N)(1) of this

section exceeds the amount of Rhode Island income tax, a refundable earned-income credit shall

be allowed as follows.

(i) For tax years beginning before January 1, 2015, for purposes of paragraph (2) refundable

earned-income credit means fifteen percent (15%) of the amount by which the Rhode Island earned-

income credit exceeds the Rhode Island income tax.

(ii) For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, for purposes of paragraph (2)

refundable earned-income credit means one hundred percent (100%) of the amount by which the

Rhode Island earned-income credit exceeds the Rhode Island income tax.

(O) The tax administrator shall recalculate and submit necessary revisions to paragraphs

(A) through (J) to the general assembly no later than February 1, 2010, and every three (3) years

thereafter for inclusion in the statute.

(3) For the period January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011, and thereafter, “Rhode

Island taxable income” means federal adjusted gross income as determined under the Internal

Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., and as modified for Rhode Island purposes pursuant to § 44-

30-12 less the amount of Rhode Island Basic Standard Deduction allowed pursuant to subparagraph

44-30-2.6(c)(3)(B), and less the amount of personal exemption allowed pursuant to subparagraph

44-30-2.6(c)(3)(C).

(A) Tax imposed.

(I) There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of married individuals filing joint

returns, qualifying widow(er), every head of household, unmarried individuals, married individuals

filing separate returns and bankruptcy estates, a tax determined in accordance with the following

table:

RI Taxable Income RI Income Tax

Over But not over Pay + % on Excess on the amount over

$ 0 - $ 55,000 $ 0 + 3.75% $ 0

55,000 - 125,000 2,063 + 4.75% 55,000

125,000 - 5,388 + 5.99% 125,000

(II) There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of an estate or trust a tax determined in

accordance with the following table:

RI Taxable Income RI Income Tax

Over But not over Pay + % on Excess on the amount over

$ 0 - $ 2,230 $ 0 + 3.75% $ 0

2,230 - 7,022 84 + 4.75% 2,230

7,022 - 312 + 5.99% 7,022

(B) Deductions:

(I) Rhode Island Basic Standard Deduction.

Only the Rhode Island standard deduction shall be allowed in accordance with the

following table:

Filing status: Amount

Single $7,500

Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) $15,000

Married filing separately $7,500

Head of Household $11,250

(II) Nonresident alien individuals, estates and trusts are not eligible for standard

deductions.

(III) In the case of any taxpayer whose adjusted gross income, as modified for Rhode Island

purposes pursuant to § 44-30-12, for the taxable year exceeds one hundred seventy-five thousand

dollars ($175,000), the standard deduction amount shall be reduced by the applicable percentage.

The term “applicable percentage” means twenty (20) percentage points for each five thousand

dollars ($5,000) (or fraction thereof) by which the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income for the taxable

year exceeds one hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($175,000).

(C) Exemption Amount:

(I) The term “exemption amount” means three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500)

multiplied by the number of exemptions allowed for the taxable year for federal income tax

purposes. For tax years beginning on or after 2018, the term “exemption amount” means the same

as it does in 26 U.S.C. § 151 and 26 U.S.C. § 152 just prior to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and

Jobs Act (Pub. L. No. 115-97) on December 22, 2017.

(II) Exemption amount disallowed in case of certain dependents. In the case of an

individual with respect to whom a deduction under this section is allowable to another taxpayer for

the same taxable year, the exemption amount applicable to such individual for such individual’s

taxable year shall be zero.

(III) Identifying information required.

(1) Except as provided in § 44-30-2.6(c)(3)(C)(II) of this section, no exemption shall be

allowed under this section with respect to any individual unless the Taxpayer Identification Number

of such individual is included on the federal return claiming the exemption for the same tax filing

period.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 44-30-2.6(c)(3)(C)(I) of this section, in the event

that the Taxpayer Identification Number for each individual is not required to be included on the

federal tax return for the purposes of claiming a personal exemption(s), then the Taxpayer

Identification Number must be provided on the Rhode Island tax return for the purpose of claiming

said exemption(s).

(D) In the case of any taxpayer whose adjusted gross income, as modified for Rhode Island

purposes pursuant to § 44-30-12, for the taxable year exceeds one hundred seventy-five thousand

dollars ($175,000), the exemption amount shall be reduced by the applicable percentage. The term

“applicable percentage” means twenty (20) percentage points for each five thousand dollars

($5,000) (or fraction thereof) by which the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income for the taxable year

exceeds one hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($175,000).

(E) Adjustment for inflation. The dollar amount contained in subparagraphs 44-30-

2.6(c)(3)(A), 44-30-2.6(c)(3)(B) and 44-30-2.6(c)(3)(C) shall be increased annually by an amount

equal to:

(I) Such dollar amount contained in subparagraphs 44-30-2.6(c)(3)(A), 44-30-2.6(c)(3)(B)

and 44-30-2.6(c)(3)(C) adjusted for inflation using a base tax year of 2000, multiplied by;

(II) The cost-of-living adjustment with a base year of 2000.

(III) For the purposes of this section, the cost-of-living adjustment for any calendar year is

the percentage (if any) by which the consumer price index for the preceding calendar year exceeds

the consumer price index for the base year. The consumer price index for any calendar year is the

average of the consumer price index as of the close of the twelve-month (12) period ending on

August 31, of such calendar year.

(IV) For the purpose of this section the term “consumer price index” means the last

consumer price index for all urban consumers published by the department of labor. For the purpose

of this section the revision of the consumer price index that is most consistent with the consumer

price index for calendar year 1986 shall be used.

(V) If any increase determined under this section is not a multiple of fifty dollars ($50.00),

such increase shall be rounded to the next lower multiple of fifty dollars ($50.00). In the case of a

married individual filing separate return, if any increase determined under this section is not a

multiple of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), such increase shall be rounded to the next lower multiple

of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

(F) Credits against tax.

(I) Notwithstanding any other provisions of Rhode Island Law, for tax years beginning on

or after January 1, 2011, the only credits allowed against a tax imposed under this chapter shall be

as follows:

(a) Rhode Island earned-income credit: Credit shall be allowed for earned-income credit

pursuant to subparagraph 44-30-2.6(c)(2)(N).

(b) Property Tax Relief Credit: Credit shall be allowed for property tax relief as provided

in § 44-33-1 et seq.

(c) Lead Paint Credit: Credit shall be allowed for residential lead abatement income tax

credit as provided in § 44-30.3-1 et seq.

(d) Credit for income taxes of other states. Credit shall be allowed for income tax paid to

other states pursuant to § 44-30-74.

(e) Historic Structures Tax Credit: Credit shall be allowed for historic structures tax credit

as provided in § 44-33.2-1 et seq.

(f) Motion Picture Productions Tax Credit: Credit shall be allowed for motion picture

production tax credit as provided in § 44-31.2-1 et seq.

(g) Child and Dependent Care: Credit shall be allowed for twenty-five percent (25%) of

the federal child and dependent care credit allowable for the taxable year for federal purposes;

provided, however, such credit shall not exceed the Rhode Island tax liability.

(h) Tax credits for contributions to Scholarship Organizations: Credit shall be allowed for

contributions to scholarship organizations as provided in chapter 62 of title 44.

(i) Credit for tax withheld. Wages upon which tax is required to be withheld shall be taxable

as if no withholding were required, but any amount of Rhode Island personal income tax actually

deducted and withheld in any calendar year shall be deemed to have been paid to the tax

administrator on behalf of the person from whom withheld, and the person shall be credited with

having paid that amount of tax for the taxable year beginning in that calendar year. For a taxable

year of less than twelve (12) months, the credit shall be made under regulations of the tax

administrator.

(j) Stay Invested in RI Wavemaker Fellowship: Credit shall be allowed for stay invested in

RI wavemaker fellowship program as provided in § 42-64.26-1 et seq.

(k) Rebuild Rhode Island: Credit shall be allowed for rebuild RI tax credit as provided in

§ 42-64.20-1 et seq.

(l) Rhode Island Qualified Jobs Incentive Program: Credit shall be allowed for Rhode

Island new qualified jobs incentive program credit as provided in § 44-48.3-1 et seq.

(m) Historic homeownership assistance act: Effective for tax year 2017 and thereafter,

unused carryforward for such credit previously issued shall be allowed for the historic

homeownership assistance act as provided in § 44-33.1-4. This allowance is for credits already

issued pursuant to § 44-33.1-4 and shall not be construed to authorize the issuance of new credits

under the historic homeownership assistance act.

(2) Except as provided in section 1 above, no other state and federal tax credit shall be

available to the taxpayers in computing tax liability under this chapter.

SECTION 4. Section 44-30-101 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-30 entitled "Personal

Income Tax" is hereby amended to read as follows:

44-30-101. Requirements concerning qualifying health insurance coverage.

(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section:

(1) “Applicable individual” has the same meaning as set forth in 26 U.S.C. § 5000A(d).

(2) “Minimum essential coverage” has the same meaning as set forth in 26 U.S. C. §

5000A(f).

(3) “Shared responsibility payment penalty” means the penalty imposed pursuant to

subsection (c) of this section.

(4) “Taxpayer” means any resident individual, as defined in § 44-30-5.

(b) Requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage. Every applicable individual

must maintain minimum essential coverage for each month beginning after December 31, 2019.

(c) Shared responsibility payment penalty imposed for failing to maintain minimum

essential coverage. As of January 1, 2020, every applicable individual required to file a personal

income tax return pursuant to § 44-30-51, shall indicate on the return, in a manner to be prescribed

by the tax administrator, whether and for what period of time during the relevant tax year the

individual and his or her spouse and dependents who are applicable individuals were covered by

minimum essential coverage. If a return submitted pursuant to this subsection fails to indicate that

coverage was in force or indicates that any applicable individuals did not have coverage in force, a

shared responsibility payment penalty shall hereby be assessed as a tax on the return.

(d) Shared responsibility payment penalty calculation. Except as provided in subsection

(e), the shared responsibility payment penalty imposed shall be equal to a taxpayer’s federal shared

responsibility payment for the taxable year under section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code of

1986, as amended, and as in effect on the 15th day of December 2017.

(e) Exceptions.

(1) Penalty cap. The amount of the shared responsibility payment penalty imposed under

this section shall be determined, if applicable, using the statewide average premium for bronze-

level plans offered through the Rhode Island health benefits exchange rather than the national

average premium for bronze-level plans.

(2) Hardship exemption determinations. Determinations as to hardship exemptions shall be

made by the exchange under § 42-157-11.

(3) Religious conscience exemption determinations. Determinations as to religious

conscience exemptions shall be made by the exchange under § 42-157-11.

(4) Taxpayers with gross income below state filing threshold. No penalty shall be imposed

under this section with respect to any applicable individual for any month during a calendar year if

the taxpayer’s household income for the taxable year as described in section 1412(b)(1)(B) of the

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is less than the amount of gross income requiring the

taxpayer to file a return as set forth in § 44-30-51.

(5) Out of state residents. No penalty shall be imposed by this section with respect to any

applicable individual for any month during which the individual is a bona fide resident of another

state.

(6) Individual on Medicaid. No penalty shall be imposed by this section with respect to any

applicable individual who is enrolled in the Medicaid program through December 31, 2023.

(f) Health insurance market integrity fund. The tax administrator is authorized to withhold

from any state tax refund due to the taxpayer an amount equal to the calculated shared responsibility

payment penalty and shall place those amounts in the health insurance market integrity fund created

pursuant to § 42-157.1-5.

(g) Deficiency. If, upon examination of a taxpayer’s return, the tax administrator

determines there is a deficiency because any refund due to the taxpayer is insufficient to satisfy the

shared responsibility penalty or because there was no refund due, the tax administrator may notify

the taxpayer of the deficiency in accordance with § 44-30-81 and interest shall accrue on the

deficiency as set forth in § 44-30-84. All monies collected on the deficiency shall be placed in the

health insurance market integrity fund created pursuant to § 42-157.1-5.

(h) Application of federal law. The shared responsibility payment penalty shall be assessed

and collected as set forth in this chapter and, where applicable, consistent with regulations

promulgated by the federal government, the exchange, and/or the tax administrator. Any federal

regulation implementing section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and in

effect on the 15th day of December 2017, shall apply as though incorporated into the Rhode Island

code of regulations. Federal guidance interpreting these federal regulations shall similarly apply.

Except as provided in subsections (j) and (k) of this section, all references to federal law shall be

construed as references to federal law as in effect on December 15, 2017, including applicable

regulations and administrative guidance that were in effect as of that date.

(i) Unavailability of federal premium tax credits. For any taxable year in which federal

premium tax credits available pursuant to 26 U.S.C. section § 36B become unavailable due to the

federal government repealing that section or failing to fund the premium tax credits, the shared

responsibility payment penalty under this section shall not be enforced.

(j) Imposition of federal shared responsibility payment. For any taxable year in which a

federal penalty under section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is imposed on a taxpayer

in an amount comparable to the shared responsibility payment penalty assessed under this section,

the state penalty shall not be enforced.

(k) Agency coordination. Where applicable, the tax administrator shall implement this

section in consultation with the office of the health insurance commissioner, the office of

management and budget, the executive office of health and human services, and the Rhode Island

health benefits exchange.

SECTION 5. The title of Chapter 44-44 of the General Laws entitled "Taxation of Beverage

Containers, Hard-To-Dispose Material and Litter Control Participation Permittee" is hereby

amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 44-44

Taxation of Beverage Containers, Hard-To-Dispose Material and Litter Control Participation

Permittee

CHAPTER 44-44

TAXATION OF BEVERAGE CONTAINERS AND HARD-TO-DISPOSE MATERIAL

SECTION 6. Sections 44-44-2, 44-44-17, 44-44-18, 44-44-19, 44-44-20 and 44-

44-22 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-44 entitled "Taxation of Beverage Containers, Hard-

To-Dispose Material and Litter Control Participation Permittee" are hereby amended to read as

follows:

44-44-2. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Beverage” means all non-alcoholic drinks for human consumption, except milk but

including beer and other malt beverages.

(2) “Beverage container” means any sealable bottle, can, jar, or carton which contains a

beverage.

(3) “Beverage retailer” means any person who engages in the sale of a beverage container

to a consumer within the state of Rhode Island, including any operator of a vending machine.

(4) “Beverage wholesaler” means any person who engages in the sale of beverage

containers to beverage retailers in this state, including any brewer, manufacturer, or bottler who

engages in those sales.

(5) “Case” means:

(i) Forty-eight (48) beverage containers sold or offered for sale within this state when each

beverage container has a liquid capacity of seven (7) fluid ounces or less;

(ii) Twenty-four (24) beverage containers sold or offered for sale within this state when

each beverage container has a liquid capacity in excess of seven (7) fluid ounces but less than or

equal to sixteen and nine tenths (16.9) fluid ounces;

(iii) Twelve (12) beverage containers sold or offered for sale within this state when each

beverage container has a liquid capacity in excess of sixteen and nine tenths (16.9) fluid ounces but

less than thirty-three and nine tenths (33.9) fluid ounces; and

(iv) Six (6) beverage containers sold or offered for sale within this state when each

beverage container has a liquid capacity of thirty-three and nine tenths (33.9) fluid ounces or more.

(6) A permit issued in accordance with § 44-44-3.1(1) is called a Class A permit.

(7) A permit issued in accordance with § 44-44-3.1(2) is called a Class B permit.

(8) A permit issued in accordance with § 44-44-3.1(3) is called a Class C permit.

(9) A permit issued in accordance with § 44-44-3.1(4) is called a Class D permit.

(10) A permit issued in accordance with § 44-44-3.1(5) is called a Class E permit.

(11)(6) “Consumer” means any person who purchases a beverage in a beverage container

for use or consumption with no intent to resell that filled beverage container.

(12) “Gross receipts” means those receipts reported for each location to the tax

administrator included in the measure of tax imposed under chapter 18 of this title, as amended.

For those persons having multiple locations’ receipts reported to the tax administrator the “gross

receipts” to be aggregated shall be determined by each individual sales tax permit number. The

term gross receipts shall be computed without deduction for retail sales of items in activities other

than those which this state is prohibited from taxing under the constitution of the United States.

(13)(7) “Hard-to-dispose material” is as defined in § 37-15.1-3.

(14)(8) “Hard-to-dispose material retailer” means any person who engages in the retail sale

of hard-to-dispose material (as defined in § 37-15.1-3) in this state.

(15)(9) “Hard-to-dispose material wholesaler” means any person, wherever located, who

engages in the sale of hard-to-dispose material (as defined in § 37-15.1-3) to customers for sale in

this state (including manufacturers, refiners, and distributors and retailers), and to other persons as

defined above.

(16)(10) “New vehicle” means any mode of transportation for which a certificate of title is

required pursuant to title 31 and for which a certificate of title has not been previously issued in

this state or any other state or country.

(17)(11) “Organic solvent” is as defined in § 37-15.1-3.

(18)(12) “Person” means any natural person, corporation, partnership, joint venture,

association, proprietorship, firm, or other business entity.

(19) “Prior calendar year” means the period beginning with January 1 and ending with

December 31 immediately preceding the permit application due date.

(20) “Qualifying activities” means selling or offering for retail sale food or beverages for

immediate consumption and/or packaged for sale on a take out or to go basis regardless of whether

or not the items are subsequently actually eaten on or off the vendor’s premises.

(21)(13) “Vending machine” means a self-contained automatic device that dispenses for

sale foods, beverages, or confection products.

44-44-17. Deficiency determination — Determination without return.

If any hard-to-dispose material wholesaler or hard-to-dispose material retailer or person or

beverage wholesaler or litter control participation permittee fails to file a return or application or to

keep records described in § 44-44-8, or if the tax administrator is not satisfied with the amount of

taxes or fees paid to him or her the tax administrator, the tax administrator may compute and

determine the amount required by this chapter to be paid to him or her the tax administrator upon

the basis of the facts contained in the returns or applications which that have been filed or upon

the basis of any information in the tax administrator’s possession or that may come into his or her

the tax administrator’s possession.

44-44-18. Notice of determination.

The tax administrator shall give written notice of his or her the tax administrator’s

determination to the beverage wholesaler or litter control participation permittee or hard-to-dispose

material wholesaler or hard-to-dispose material retailer or person. Except in the case of fraud or

failure to make a return, or noncompliance with § 44-44-8, every notice of determination shall be

mailed within three (3) years of the date the taxes first became due. The amount of this

determination shall bear interest at the rate prescribed in § 44-1-7 from the date when taxes should

have been paid until the date of payment.

44-44-19. Payment of refunds.

Whenever the tax administrator shall determine that any beverage wholesaler or hard-to-

dispose material wholesaler or hard-to-dispose material retailer or person or litter control

participation permittee is entitled to a refund of any moneys paid under the provisions of this

chapter, or whenever a court of competent jurisdiction orders a refund of any moneys paid, the

general treasurer shall, upon certification by the tax administrator, pay the refund from any moneys

in the litter control account or hard-to-dispose material account other than those moneys already

appropriated for the administration of the taxes and programs entitled by this chapter and § 37-15-

13; provided, that no refund shall be allowed unless a claim for a refund is filed with the tax

administrator within three (3) years from the date the overpayment was made. Every claim for a

refund shall be made in writing, shall be in a form, and shall present only information that the tax

administrator may, by regulation, require. Within thirty (30) days after disallowing any claim in

whole or in part the tax administrator shall give written notice of his or her the tax administrator’s

decision to the beverage wholesaler or hard-to-dispose material wholesaler or hard-to-dispose

material retailer or person or litter control participation permittee. A refund of less than ten dollars

($10.00) will not be processed, but may be credited to the following month’s return without interest.

44-44-20. Hearing on application by beverage wholesaler or litter control

participation permittee Hearing on application.

Any person aggrieved by any assessment or decision of the tax administrator shall notify

the tax administrator and request a hearing, in writing, within thirty (30) days from the date of

mailing of the assessment or decision. The tax administrator or a hearing officer designated by the

tax administrator shall, as soon as practicable, fix a time and place for the hearing and, after the

hearing, determine the correct amount of the tax and interest.

44-44-22. Information confidential.

It shall be unlawful for any state official or employee to divulge or to make known to any

person in any manner not provided by law the amount or source of income, profits, losses,

expenditures, or any particular of these set forth or disclosed in any return, permit application or

other record required under this chapter, or to permit any return, permit application, or other record

required by this chapter or copy of a record, or any book containing any abstract or particulars to

be seen or examined by any person except as provided by law. Any offense against this provision

shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment not

exceeding one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 7. Sections 44-44-3.1, 44-44-3.2, 44-44-3.3, 44-44-3.4 and 44-44-3.5 of the

General Laws in Chapter 44-44 entitled "Taxation of Beverage Containers, Hard-To-Dispose

Material and Litter Control Participation Permittee" are hereby repealed.

44-44-3.1. Permit required.

Commencing August 1, 1988, every person engaging in, or desiring to engage in activities

described in § 44-44-2(20), shall annually file an application with the tax administrator for a litter

control participation permit, hereinafter called a “permit”, for each place of business in Rhode

Island. In those cases where the only qualifying activity is the operation of vending machines, the

person shall either obtain a Class A permit for each vending machine or obtain a permit based on

total gross receipts. All applications shall be in a form, including information and bearing signatures

that the tax administrator may require. At the time of making an application, the applicant shall pay

the tax administrator a permit fee based as follows:

(1) For the applicant whose gross receipts for the prior calendar year measured less than

fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00);

(2) For the applicant whose gross receipts for the prior calendar year measured at least fifty

thousand dollars ($50,000), but less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), a fee of thirty-

five dollars ($35.00);

(3) For the applicant whose gross receipts for the calendar year measured at least one

hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), but less than four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000), a fee

of seventy-five dollars ($75.00);

(4) For the applicant whose gross receipts for the prior calendar year measured at least four

hundred thousand dollars ($400,000), but less than one million dollars ($1,000,000), a fee of one

hundred dollars ($100); and

(5) For the applicant whose gross receipts for the prior calendar year measured one million

dollars ($1,000,000) or more, a fee of one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) for each one million

dollars ($1,000,000) or fraction of this amount. The fee in this subdivision shall not exceed the sum

of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each permit at each place of business in Rhode Island when

the “qualifying activities” referred to in this section and defined in § 44-44-2(20) and the sale of

food products do not exceed ten percent (10%) of the gross receipts for each permit.

44-44-3.2. Penalty for operation without a permit — Injunctive relief.

(a) Any person who engages (or the officer of a corporation engaged) in activities described

in § 44-44-2(20) without the permit required by this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and

shall, for each offense, be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or be imprisoned for

not more than one year, or punished by both a fine and imprisonment. Each day in which a person

is so engaged shall constitute a separate offense.

(b) The superior court of this state shall have jurisdiction of restraining any person from

engaging in activities described in § 44-44-2(20) without the proper permit as prescribed in this

chapter. The tax administrator may institute proceedings to prevent and restrain violations of this

chapter.

44-44-3.3. Partial periods.

(a)(1) Each applicant which did not do business at a particular location during the prior

calendar year for the purposes of determining the proper fee in accordance with § 44-44-3.1 may,

for application purposes, only apply for a Class A permit for that location.

(2) For purposes of this section, the term “applicant” shall not include any person who

purchases an ongoing business and continues to operate the same type of business from the same

location without interruption of thirty (30) days or more immediately following the purchase of the

business.

(b) Any permittee ceasing business at a location before the annual expiration date of permit

shall return the permit to the tax administrator for cancellation.

(c) The fees set forth in § 44-44-3.1 are neither proratable nor refundable for partial periods

of operation at a specific location.

(d) A person who purchases an ongoing business and continues to operate the business in

the same location in a calendar year for which the prior permit holder has paid the applicable fee

may obtain a permit for the remainder of that calendar year upon payment of a twenty-five dollar

($25.00) fee.

44-44-3.4. Issuance of permit — Assignment prohibited — Display.

Upon receipt of the required application and permit fee, the tax administrator shall issue to

the applicant a separate permit for each location in Rhode Island. A permit is not assignable and is

valid only for the person in whose name it was issued and only for the business location shown in

the permit. It shall at all times be conspicuously displayed at the location for which it was issued.

44-44-3.5. Application due date — Weekends and holidays — Mailing.

(a) Each applicant shall apply for a permit prior to engaging in the activities described in §

44-44-2(20) for each location in Rhode Island and, after this, shall annually reapply on or before

August 1 of each year.

(b) When the application due date, or any other due date for activity by an applicant or

permittee, falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Rhode Island legal holiday, the application or activity

will be considered timely if it is performed on the next succeeding day which is not a Saturday,

Sunday, or Rhode Island legal holiday.

(c) When any application, payment or other document required to be filed on or before a

prescribed date set forth in this chapter is delivered after the required date by United States Post

Office to the tax administrator, office, officer, or person with which or with whom the document is

required to be filed, the date on which the document is dated by the post office shall be deemed to

be the date of delivery. This subsection shall apply only if the document was, within the prescribed

time, deposited in the mail with United States postage prepaid and properly addressed.

SECTION 8. Section 44-62-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-62 entitled "Tax Credits

for Contributions to Scholarship Organizations" is hereby amended to read as follows:

44-62-3. Application for the tax credit program.

(a) Prior to the contribution, a business entity shall apply in writing to the division of

taxation. The application shall contain such information and certification as the tax administrator

deems necessary for the proper administration of this chapter. A business entity shall be approved

if it meets the criteria of this chapter; the dollar amount of the applied for tax credit is no greater

than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in any tax year, and the scholarship organization that

is to receive the contribution has qualified under § 44-62-2.

(b) Approvals for contributions under this section shall be made available by the division

of taxation on a first-come-first-serve basis. The total aggregate amount of all tax credits approved

shall not exceed one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) one million six hundred

thousand dollars ($1,600,000) in a fiscal year.

(c) The division of taxation shall notify the business entity in writing within thirty (30)

days of the receipt of application of the division’s approval or rejection of the application.

(d) Unless the contribution is part of a two-year plan, the actual cash contribution by the

business entity to a qualified scholarship organization must be made no later than one hundred

twenty (120) days following the approval of its application. If the contribution is part of a two-year

plan, the first year’s contribution follows the general rule and the second year’s contribution must

be made in the subsequent calendar year by the same date.

(e) The contributions must be those charitable contributions made in cash as set forth in

the Internal Revenue Code.

SECTION 9. Section 45-13-14 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-13 entitled "State Aid"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

45-13-14. Adjustments to tax levy, assessed value, and full value when computing state

aid.

(a) Whenever the director of revenue computes the relative wealth of municipalities for the

purpose of distributing state aid in accordance with title 16 and the provisions of § 45-13-12, he or

she the director shall base it on the full value of all property except:

(1) That exempted from taxation by acts of the general assembly and reimbursed under §

45-13-5.1, which shall have its value calculated as if the payment in lieu of tax revenues received

pursuant to § 45-13-5.1, has resulted from a tax levy;

(2) That whose tax levy or assessed value is based on a tax treaty agreement authorized by

a special public law or by reason of agreements between a municipality and the economic

development corporation in accordance with § 42-64-20 prior to May 15, 2005, which shall not

have its value included;

(3) That whose tax levy or assessed value is based on tax treaty agreements or tax

stabilization agreements in force prior to May 15, 2005, which shall not have its value included;

(4) That which is subject to a payment in lieu of tax agreement in force prior to May 15,

2005;

(5) Any other property exempt from taxation under state law;

(6) Any property subject to chapter 27 of title 44, taxation of Farm, Forest, and Open Space

Land; or

(7) Any property exempt from taxation, in whole or in part, under the provisions of

subsections (a)(51), (a)(66), or (c) of § 44-3-3, § 44-3-47, § 44-3-65, § 44-5.3-1, or any other

provision of law that enables a city, town, or fire district to establish a tangible personal property

exemption, which shall have its value calculated as the full value of the property minus the

exemption amount.

(b) The tax levy of each municipality and fire district shall be adjusted for any real estate

and personal property exempt from taxation by act of the general assembly by the amount of

payment in lieu of property tax revenue anticipated to be received pursuant to § 45-13-5.1 relating

to property tax from certain exempt private and state properties, and for any property subject to any

payment in lieu of tax agreements, any tax treaty agreements or tax stabilization agreements in

force after May 15, 2005, by the amount of the payment in lieu of taxes pursuant to such

agreements.

(c) Fire district tax levies within a city or town shall be included as part of the total levy

attributable to that city or town.

(d) The changes as required by subsections (a) through (c) of this section shall be

incorporated into the computation of entitlements effective for distribution in fiscal year 2007-2008

and thereafter.

SECTION 10. Sections 5 through 8 of this article shall take effect on January 1, 2024. The

remaining sections of this article shall take effect upon passage.