Assessing Division

Looking for Plat Maps? GO HERE

State Tax Assessors Notice

The Tax Assessors Office functions under the laws of Rhode Island and Ordinances established by the Newport City Council.

According to Rhode Island General Law, all property subject to taxation shall be assessed at its Fair Market Value. Assessments attempt to estimate this Fair Market Value each December 31st. Fair Market Value is defined as the price at which a property would transfer between knowledgeable unrelated parties, after reasonable exposure to the public, and without undue influence. Actual sale prices form the basis for this analysis.

The last revaluation of property in Newport was done as of 12/31/2008. These values were presumed to be 100% of Fair Market Value as of that date. This information is currently being hosted on the Vision Appraisal web site.

RATES for the 2010-2011 TAX YEAR:

• Residential: $9.93 per thousand.
• Commercial: $13.76 per thousand.
• Motor Vehicles: $23.45 per thousand.
• Tangible Personal Property: $13.76 per thousand.

Benefits and responsibilities of owners of Bed and Breakfasts or Inns.

Rhode Island Law requires each taxpayer to file a "true and exact account of all the ratable estate owned or possessed by that person or body" each year between January 1 and January 31.

This Account (a declaration of the value of your property) is used by the Assessor to adjust, if appropriate, your assessment. If the taxpayer cannot compile this information by January 31, they may submit a written request, in January, for an extension to file during the month of March.

The account then must be filed between March 1st and March 15th. An account is necessary to appeal an assessment that has not changed from the previous year. If your assessment has increased because of review or construction, or City wide revaluation, an account is not required. Although required by law, most taxpayers satisfied with their assessments do not find it necessary to file an account.

All personal exemptions such as Senior Citizens, Veterans, the Visually Impaired, etc. must also be applied for during this time period in order for them to be reflected on the bill issued in July of that year.

Motor Vehicle Accounts:

Vehicles registered in Newport, RI are taxed for the PREVIOUS calendar year, (i.e. 2011 tax bills are for vehicles registered during the 2010 calendar year).

By law you are required to change your address with the Rhode Island DMV within 10 days of moving. By law you are required to physically return your plates to the Rhode Island DMV.

You are taxed on the amount of days you have an active registration. Moving, selling, gifting, junking your vehicle, throwing away your plates, registering your vehicle in a new State etc. do not constitute the proper way of cancelling your registration.

If you do not return your plates to the DMV you will be responsible for the taxes until you do so or the plates expire, whichever occurs first. Please see www.dmv.ri.gov for more information and the correct procedure for returning your license plates. Do Not mail your plates to the Assessor's office.

Active duty Military members stationed in Newport (and not residents of Rhode Island) please see Service member's Civil Relief Act Tax exemption application.

Follow the instructions listed and submit your application to this office as soon as possible. You are exempt for the time you are on orders in Newport. If you retain the plates after you are transferred from the area you will be responsible for any taxes that have accrued or will accrue once you leave the area.

Tangible Accounts:

Businesses registered in Newport, RI are taxed for the PREVIOUS calendar year, (i.e. 2011 tax bills are for active businesses during the 2010 calendar year).

You have an active business if you have not properly closed your business by either closing with the Assessor's office in person or by filling out the Close of Business form by mail.

Submitting a Close of Business form is the ONLY acceptable way of officially closing your business with the City as stated on your application with the Tax Assessor's office when you opened your business.

We cannot close your account retroactively. Example: If you say you closed your business in 2009 but do not file the close of business until 2010 you will be responsible for the tax bill you receive in 2011.