Finance/Tax Collector
Office hours:
Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30
Tel: 401-247-1900 x318

FAQs:

Why am I being taxed for a vehicle I no longer own?

Tax bills are mailed each year in mid August. The information for billing motor vehicles is obtained from the RI DMV, reflecting the previous calendar year. If you had a vehicle registered for any portion of the prior calendar year, the vehicle will appear on your bill, showing the following in the description portion of your bill:

Plate #_____________________ # of days registered ____________ Registration dates _________Yr/Make________VIN _______________

The bottom portion of your bill has the 4 quarterly coupons attached. This is the payment collection cycle, which extends throughout our fiscal year (ending the following June 30 th ). Even though you may have disposed of a vehicle during this period, you are liable to make the quarterly payments because the vehicles were registered to you during the noted assessment period.

How do I get a vehicle off the tax roll?

All information for billing motor vehicles is obtained from the RI DMV. In order to remove a vehicle, you must cancel the registration (return the plates) at the DMV.

Be advised that the billing is for the previous calendar year, so the removal of a vehicle will not be immediately reflected on the current bill, but rather on the subsequent year's bill (or possibly the year after, depending on the cancellation date).

What is the "PHASEOUT" listed on the last line of the description area?

Effective fiscal year 2000, the State of RI, through enabling legislation, implemented a phase-out of the motor vehicle tax. Each year the communities are advised of the increase (if any) of the exemption, and that amount is deducted on a prorated basis for the number of days each vehicle was registered. The "Annual Due" column lists the gross amount of taxes per vehicle, followed by a cumulative "phaseout" amount for all of the vehicles listed on the bill.

I'm a new owner on a property- will I automatically get a tax bill?

Tax bills on newly acquired properties will be sent out only if they are requested. Our normal schedule for mailing all bills is mid-August. Any persons requesting copies of bills for purchases after this date are required to call the tax office @ 247-1900 x318, and a copy will be mailed.

I escrow my real estate taxes, why am I receiving a tax bill?

You will receive a copy of your bill even if you escrow. It most likely won't be necessary to send your mortgage company a copy. If we have received a request from your mortgage company, they will be sent the information automatically.