Assessing Division

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: $9.56 per thousand.
• Commercial: $13.25 per thousand.
• Motor Vehicles: $23.45 per thousand.
• Tangible Personal Property: $13.25 per thousand.

Filing deadline for all exemptions was March 15, 2010 for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.  ALL Exemption applications will be available on the website mid December 2010 for the Tax Year 2011-2012.

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.