Rhode Island Property Tax Relief: Exemptions & How to File
Rhode Island has 7 main property tax relief programs, administered through your Local Tax Assessor (municipal); RI Division of Taxation for the statewide Property Tax Relief Credit. Filing is free.
Biggest benefit
Refundable credit equal to the amount by which property taxes (or rent constituting property tax) exceed a set percentage (3%-6%) of total household income, up to a maximum credit of $700.00 for tax year 2025.
Earliest common deadline
April 15
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Never pay to file a property tax exemption
Applying for a homestead, senior, veteran, or disability exemption is always free through your Local Tax Assessor (municipal); RI Division of Taxation for the statewide Property Tax Relief Credit. You do not need a middleman, and no one can file it "faster" for a fee.
Be skeptical of official-looking letters offering to file your homestead exemption, "designate" your homestead, or send you a copy of your deed for $50–$200. These are private solicitations, not government notices. When in doubt, contact your Local Tax Assessor (municipal); RI Division of Taxation for the statewide Property Tax Relief Credit directly using the phone number on your tax bill.
Rhode Island property tax relief programs
Amounts, eligibility, deadlines, and the official source for each program.
| Program | Benefit | Who qualifies | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property Tax Relief Credit (Form RI-1040H)Tax Credit | Refundable credit equal to the amount by which property taxes (or rent constituting property tax) exceed a set percentage (3%-6%) of total household income, up to a maximum credit of $700.00 for tax year 2025. | Age 65+ · Alternatively qualifies if you or your spouse were disabled and receiving Social Security Disability payments during the year (age 65+ not required if disabled) · Income: Total household income of $40,730 or less for tax year 2025 · Must have been domiciled in Rhode Island for the entire calendar year and have lived in a household or rented a dwelling subject to property tax; must be current on all property taxes or rent for the current and all prior years. | April 15 | Official source ↗R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 44-33 (Property Tax Relief Act); § 44-33-9 (computation and maximum credit)Form RI-1040H, Rhode Island Property Tax Relief Claim ↗ |
| Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (municipally set)Veteran | Statute sets a base exemption of $1,000 of assessed value, but each city or town may vote to grant a larger exemption; actual amounts vary widely by municipality (e.g., some towns grant tens of thousands of dollars of exempt value). | Additional/greater exemptions available for service-connected disabled veterans depending on the municipality · Must own qualifying property in the city/town and have qualifying wartime or eligible military service (honorable or under conditions other than dishonorable); unmarried widow/widower of a qualifying veteran may also be eligible. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4 (veterans' exemptions); § 44-3-4.2 (eligible conflicts) |
| Gold Star Parents' ExemptionVeteran | $3,000 of assessed value exempted (in the municipalities that have adopted the exemption). Only one exemption per household even if both parents survive. | Must own qualifying property in a participating municipality; must be the parent of a service member who died in the line of duty while in the U.S. Armed Forces. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-5 (Gold Star parents' exemption) |
| Visually Impaired (Legally Blind) Persons' ExemptionDisability | Statute provides a base exemption of $6,000 of assessed value, with many municipalities setting different (often higher) amounts or providing a dollar tax credit by local ordinance; amount varies by city/town. | Must be legally blind according to federal standards, certified by a licensed physician or the RI Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired · Must be a legal resident of the state and own qualifying property in the municipality; must present evidence to the assessor before the local filing deadline. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-12 (visually impaired persons — exemption) |
| Elderly (Age 65+) Exemption and Tax Freeze (municipal option)Senior (65+) | No statewide amount. Each city or town council establishes the exemption value (or a rate/valuation freeze) by ordinance; amounts and income limits vary widely by municipality. | Age 65+ · Income: Set locally — some municipalities impose income limits, others do not · Typically must own and occupy the property as a principal residence in the municipality; exact terms set by local ordinance. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-13 (persons over age 65 — exemption); § 44-3-16 (elderly — freeze of tax rate and valuation) |
| Senior (Age 65+) Property Tax Deferral (municipal option)Tax Deferral | No statewide amount; municipalities that adopt the program may allow deferral of the increase in property taxes for qualifying seniors. Terms set locally. | Age 65+ · Income: Set locally by municipal ordinance · Must own and occupy qualifying property in a municipality that has adopted the deferral program. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-58.1 (tax deferment of increase in property taxes of persons 65 or older) |
| Homestead Exemption (municipal only — no statewide program)HomesteadVerify locally | Amount adjusted annually — confirm with your Local Tax Assessor (municipal); RI Division of Taxation for the statewide Property Tax Relief Credit | Where available, generally must own and occupy the property as a principal residence; terms set by local ordinance. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 44-3 (authorizes municipal exemptions); § 44-3-34 (Central Falls homestead exemption) |
For veterans
In most states a higher VA disability rating unlocks a larger — often total — property tax exemption.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
VA Claims Academy
A 100% VA disability rating unlocks full property tax exemptions in most states. VA Claims Academy helps veterans pursue the rating increases they may be owed.
Visit VA Claims Academy →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
For seniors
Planning ahead protects your exemption and your home.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
CareSifter — Find trusted senior care
Property tax relief is one piece of aging in place affordably. CareSifter helps families compare in-home care, assisted living, and senior services.
Explore CareSifter →*Trust & Will — Estate planning made simple
Keeping a homestead exemption in the family often depends on how the home is titled. Trust & Will makes wills, trusts, and transfer-on-death deeds affordable and online.
Start with Trust & Will →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
Rhode Island property tax relief FAQ
What property tax exemptions are available in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island offers 7 main property tax relief programs: Property Tax Relief Credit (Form RI-1040H), Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (municipally set), Gold Star Parents' Exemption, Visually Impaired (Legally Blind) Persons' Exemption, Elderly (Age 65+) Exemption and Tax Freeze (municipal option), Senior (Age 65+) Property Tax Deferral (municipal option), Homestead Exemption (municipal only — no statewide program). Each is administered through your Local Tax Assessor (municipal); RI Division of Taxation for the statewide Property Tax Relief Credit.
How do I apply for a property tax exemption in Rhode Island?
You apply through your Local Tax Assessor (municipal); RI Division of Taxation for the statewide Property Tax Relief Credit — for free. Most exemptions require a one-time application by the deadline; check each program for its form and cutoff date. You never need to pay a third party to file.
Is filing for a Rhode Island property tax exemption free?
Yes. Filing is always free through your Local Tax Assessor (municipal); RI Division of Taxation for the statewide Property Tax Relief Credit. Letters offering to file your homestead exemption for a fee are private solicitations, not government notices.
Compare Rhode Island to other states by relief type
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