AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES (Allows the waiver of interest on overdue taxes for commercial properties.)

H7568

2026 -- H 7568
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LC003888
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

Introduced By:
Representatives Noret, Cortvriend, Shallcross Smith, Nardone, Place,
Speakman, Costantino, Read, Solomon, and Santucci

Date Introduced:
February 06, 2026

Referred To:
House Municipal Government & Housing
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 44-5-8.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-5 entitled "Levy and
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Assessment of Local Taxes" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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44-5-8.1. Waiver of interest on overdue quarterly tax payments.
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(a) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to the contrary, any city or town
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may, by ordinance duly enacted, authorize a waiver of interest on one quarter’s overdue property
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tax payment and allow the remaining balance of taxes owed to be paid on a quarterly basis if all of
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the following conditions are satisfied by the taxpayer:
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(1) The property subject to the overdue payment is the residence
or commercial property

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of the taxpayer and has been for the five (5) years immediately preceding the tax payment which is
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overdue.
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(2) The request for a waiver of interest is in writing, signed and dated by the taxpayer.
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(3) The taxpayer has made timely payments of taxes to the city or town for the five (5)
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years immediately preceding the tax payment, which is overdue. The burden of proof of timely
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payments shall be upon the taxpayer.
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(4) The bill for which the payment is overdue was issued less than two (2) years prior to
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the date of the request for a waiver of interest.
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(b) In no event shall the waiver of interest on a tax bill exceed five hundred dollars ($500).
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Decisions of the tax collector shall be in writing and contain a notice to the city or town council. If
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the taxpayer receives an adverse decision from the tax collector, the taxpayer must pay the interest

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and may file a claim for reimbursement with the city or town council within ten (10) days of the
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decision.
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(c) Any request for a waiver of taxes which meets criteria established by this section
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pursuant to a duly enacted ordinance shall be granted by the city or town.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC003888
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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 allow the waiver of interest on overdue taxes for commercial properties.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003888
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LC003888 - Page 3 of 3