Rhode Island Gets Honorable Taxation
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Property Tax 
Are you paying more than your fair share?

Because Rhode Island has among the highest property taxes in the nation it is easy to assume that your tax bills are so high because of our high tax levies.  You'd be somewhat right but mostly wrong.

The most important reason the majority pay more than they should is because, in fact, thousands pay less than they should!

The reason is revaluations based on market values. Revaluations are necessary to insure that a new owner who buys a $500,000 home pays fair taxes on a $500,000 home.  Without  revaluation she would pay on the prior owner's assessment which is unfair to the rest.

But for existing owners those reassessments result in the two kinds of taxpayers mentioned above:  those who pay too much and those who pay too little.

For example, after N. Kingstown's last revaluation, 7 out of 10 property owners got an average 13% tax increase to pay for a 5.2% increase in the tax levy.  Three out of ten saw their taxes FALL 7%  -  most pay too much, lots pay too little.

The solution is to use "Taxable Values", the prior year's value changed by the same amount as the change in the tax levy.

In the case of a new owner who has no 'prior value', the Taxable Value is the Market Value. 

In this way taxes are

  • always consistent with spending,
  • new owners always pay a fair tax on their purchase
  • and limits on the tax levy limit the growth in individual tax bills as well.

That's reform! Our goal is to:

1. Assure fair and rational payments for all property owners.
2. Assure an affordable level of local spending.
3. Assure fair treatment for tax exempt property.
4. Assure that tax levy limits don't become tax targets.

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To schedule a talk and slide show email or call 401 862 6825

To contact your Rhode Island Legislators (House and Senate) click.

For an alphabetical listing click here for House - Senate

For a sample letter you can send to your legislators


Rhode Island Gets Honorable Taxation
R.I.G.H.T. © 2006

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Email
Harvey Waxman
73 Wright Lane
North Kingstown, RI 02852
401 294 1236