Sunday, March 28, 2021

Guidance on tax treatment of unemployment benefits

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation today posted an Advisory that provides guidance about the tax treatment of unemployment compensation.

The Division is in the process of revising certain forms and instructions relating to the guidance and will post the revised documents as soon as possible. The Division will let its stakeholders know immediately after the revised documents are posted.

To view the Advisory, click here.

Friday, March 26, 2021

Returns for surplus lines

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation today announced that surplus lines brokers that file as individual licensees/brokers can now use their National Producer Number in place of their Social Security number when filing their annual tax return for 2020, which is due on April 1, 2021. To learn more, click here.

Regulation that provides withholding-tax guidance

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation has extended an emergency regulation that provides withholding-tax guidance for employers that have employees who are temporarily working remotely due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To learn more, click here.


Thursday, March 25, 2021

Executive Order extended

Rhode Island Governor Daniel J. McKee has extended an Executive Order involving unemployment insurance matters (including relief for employers related to unemployment insurance tax charges). This Executive Order will remain in full force and effect until April 21, 2021, unless renewed, modified, or terminated by subsequent Executive Orders. For more information, click here.

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Tips for tax season: Single-member LLCs

Q: The Rhode Island Division of Taxation recently postponed the due date for personal income tax returns to May 17, 2021, following the federal postponement. If a single-member limited liability company (SMLLC) is owned by an individual, is the SMLLC's Form RI-1065 and payment due April 15 or May 17?

If a SMLLC is owned by an individual, the SMLLC’s filing and payment are due April 15, even though the individual’s 1040 and payment this season are due May 17.

A SMLLC may elect to file for a six-month extension using Form RI-7004. That would give the SMLLC an extended due date of October 15, 2021. However, the SMLLC’s payment would still be due April 15, 2021.

Friday, March 19, 2021

Personal income tax deadline postponed to May 17, 2021

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation announced today that it has postponed – until May 17, 2021 – the deadline for individuals to file their Rhode Island personal income tax returns and make related payments for the 2020 tax year. 

The Division’s announcement follows the deadline change announced by the Internal Revenue Service on March 17, 2021 – a convenience for taxpayers, tax preparers, and others.

To view the Division's announcement, click here.

Division posts newsletter

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation has posted the latest edition of its newsletter. It focuses mainly on the 2021 tax year. Topics include the following:

  • Making payments via the Division’s portal;
  • An increase in the estate tax threshold;
  • A reminder about employer withholding;
  • Temporary disability insurance (TDI) tax;
  • An extension for certain tax credit programs;
  • Unemployment insurance tax;
  • Interest rates;
  • A reminder about letters of good standing;
  • The “Legal Corner” feature;
  • A case involving contraband cigarettes;
  • The “Practitioners’ Corner” feature;
  • Form RI-1040H and federal stimulus payments;
  • Reminders for limited liability companies (LLCs); and
  • A reminder on the health insurance mandate.

To view or download the newsletter, click here.