Relief for restaurants and bars that are subject to early-closing order

Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo has announced a relief program for restaurants, bars, and other such businesses that have been ordered to close earlier than usual because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Using federal Coronavirus Relief Funds, the Governor authorized the payment of grants to these impacted businesses. 

Under the program, the Rhode Island Department of Revenue’s Division of Taxation will provide grants to bars and restaurants adversely impacted by COVID-19. For more information, click here.

Reporting guidance on health insurance mandate

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation today posted reporting guidance involving Rhode Island's health insurance mandate (also known as the individual mandate). The guidance, in the form of answers to frequently asked questions, is geared mainly to employers, health insurers, payroll-service providers, and others. For more information, click here.

Security Summit alert about new scam

The Internal Revenue Service, the Rhode Island Division of Taxation, and other partners in the Security Summit today warned of a new text scam in which thieves try to trick people into disclosing bank account information under the guise of receiving the $1,200 federal economic impact payment.

For more information, click here.

Governor extends Executive Orders

Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo recently extended a number of Executive Orders until December 3, 2020, including the following:

• Executive Order 20-02, declaring a state of emergency due to the dangers to health and life posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and
• Executive Order 20-19, involving unemployment insurance matters (including relief for employers related to unemployment insurance tax charges).

These Executive Orders will remain in full force and effect until December 3, 2020, unless renewed, modified or terminated by subsequent Executive Orders.  For more information, click here.

Division closed on Election Day and two other November holidays

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation reminds taxpayers, tax professionals, and others that the Division’s office will be closed for three State holidays this month -- including Election Day on Tuesday, November 3. 

Forms, instructions, and other publications, as well as many services, will continue to be available through the Division’s website. For more information, click here.

Annual e-file shutdown and switchover

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation’s annual electronic filing shutdown and switchover will occur on November 21, 2020.

Individuals and businesses seeking to e-file their Rhode Island returns for tax year 2019 must do so on or before Saturday, November 21, 2020. After that date, Rhode Island returns for tax year 2019 must be filed on paper.

• Each year, the Division temporarily closes its system to e-filing in order to prepare the system for the upcoming filing season. The Internal Revenue Service, and many other states, follow the same practice. This year, the Rhode Island modernized e-file (MeF) shutdown and cutover will occur on Saturday, November 21, 2020. All transmissions must be submitted before 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time on that date.

Reminder about office visit protocol

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation reminds taxpayers, tax professionals, vendors, and others to use Rhode Island’s self-screening tool prior to visiting the Division’s office in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). For details, click here.