Thursday, January 30, 2020

File your federal & Rhode Island taxes online for free

Many taxpayers this season can prepare and file their federal and Rhode Island personal income tax returns online, at no charge, by using the Free File program available on the Rhode Island Division of Taxation website. To learn more, click here.


Regulations posted on withholding, EFT

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation has posted for comment the following two regulations:


These are existing regulations. The Division has made minor changes to the one on EFT. The one on withholding has been amended to simplify the withholding process and to bring Rhode Island more in line with practices at the federal level and in other states. The Division proposes that the regulations take effect in late February 2020 if no objection is received.

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Deadline is Friday for annual sales tax reconciliation

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation reminds holders of sales tax permits that the annual sales tax reconciliation is due on or before this Friday, January 31. 

Also, a reminder that the deadline is Monday, February 3, for renewing sales tax permits. 

For details, click here.

Health insurance mandate now in effect

In an interview with WJAR-TV (NBC 10) on January 28, 2020, Assistant Tax Administrator Michael F. Canole reminded taxpayers and tax preparers that Rhode Island's health insurance mandate is now in effect.

Under the mandate, all Rhode Islanders must have qualifying health coverage, Canole said during the broadcast (see screenshot below). Failure to have such "minimum essential coverage" may result in a Rhode Island personal income tax penalty in 2021 (when you do your Rhode Island personal income tax return covering 2020).

Most people have minimum essential coverage -- through employer-sponsored health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, or some other means -- and will not have to pay the penalty. Rhode Island residents who don't have such coverage can find out about their health insurance options by contacting Rhode Island's health insurance exchange -- HealthSource RI. To learn more about the mandate, click here.





Latest declaratory ruling

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation today posted its latest declaratory ruling. This one (No. 2020-01) focuses on the sales and use tax treatment of modular cleanrooms. (In general, the cleanrooms provide low levels of airborne contamination and are used for scientific research and other purposes.) To view, click here.

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Tax season gets underway

Assistant Tax Administrator Michael F. Canole was interviewed by WJAR-TV (NBC 10) today about the start of tax-filing season.

Canole discussed the benefits of electronic filing, and other topics, with reporter Jared Pelletier. To learn more about the start of tax season, click here.

Asst. Tax Administrator Michael Canole (left) interviewed today by Jared Pelletier, reporter at WJAR-TV (NBC 10).



Monday, January 27, 2020

Rhode Island's tax-filing season begins

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation has officially begun accepting and processing tax returns for the 2019 tax year. To learn more, click here.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Latest Administrative Decision

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation has posted its latest Administrative Decision. 

In Decision No. 2020-01, the issue is whether the taxpayer is entitled to a personal income tax refund. To learn more, click here.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Last-minute reminder -- estimated payments

Today is the deadline for making fourth-quarter estimated payments of Rhode Island personal income tax. Payment must be made or postmarked by 11:59 p.m. on January 15, 2019. If you don’t have your own estimated tax coupons, blank copies are available on the Division of Taxation website.

January 15 is also the deadline for fourth-quarter estimated payments of income tax for calendar-year fiduciary filers (involving estates and trusts), pass-through withholding filers, and composite return filers. January 15 is also the reporting deadline for those subject to the bank deposits tax.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Scheduled maintenance postponed; website and email to continue operating

Maintenance that had been scheduled for tomorrow for the Rhode Island Division of Taxation website and email system has been postponed.

Therefore, the Division's website and email system will continue to operate throughout tomorrow, Sunday, January 12, 2020.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Maintenance window on Sunday

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation website and email system will be unavailable on Sunday, January 12, 2020, from about 7:00 p.m. to about 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, due to scheduled  maintenance. This should not impact Monday services. If you need assistance, please call (401) 574-8829.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Date set for start of filing season

The Rhode Island Division of Taxation has announced that filing season will begin on January 27.

The Division has also posted information about the filing deadline for personal income tax returns – and information related to business returns and other topics.

To learn more, click here.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Rhode Island's health insurance mandate now in effect

Rhode Island's health coverage mandate is now in effect.

As of today -- January 1, 2020 -- all Rhode Islanders must have qualifying health coverage. Failure to have such "minimum essential coverage" in 2020 may result in a Rhode Island personal income tax penalty in 2021 (when you do your Rhode Island personal income tax return covering 2019). 

Most people have minimum essential coverage -- through employer-sponsored health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, or some other means -- and will not have to pay the penalty. 

Rhode Island residents who don't have such coverage can find out about their health insurance options by contacting Rhode Island's health insurance exchange -- HealthSource RI. To learn more about the mandate, click here.