In Rhode Island, Pantyhose and Ties Aren’t Taxed — But Masks Are

In Rhode Island, Pantyhose and Ties Aren’t Taxed — But Masks Are

Rhode Island has suffered 1,288 coronavirus-related fatalities to date, and is on course to see 250 -- or more -- additional deaths by the end of the year. 

One thing the coronavirus hasn’t killed is ridiculous government policies. 

Public health experts in Rhode Island and across the country have urged people to wear masks to combat the spread of the coronavirus.  

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In Rhode Island, you don’t pay tax on most clothes — from bathing suits to earmuffs, to socks and scarves.

You do, however, pay a 7% tax on masks during the coronavirus crisis. 

See List of Tax-Exempt Items HERE

And if you order online? You’ll be paying tax on the shipping and handling as well. 

“Rhode Island law provides a sales and use tax exemption of up to $250 of the purchase price of clothing or footwear,” said Division of Taxation spokesperson Paul Grimaldi. “However, under Rhode Island law, masks and other protective clothing are not considered ‘clothing or footwear’ so they do not qualify for the sales and use tax exemption.”

“Therefore, masks and other protective clothing are, by law, subject to the Rhode Island sales and use tax,” he added. 

On April 14, Governor Gina Raimondo issued her 24th “Supplemental Emergency Declaration” (she is now up to 98) requiring cloth face masks at work. 

Raimondo infamously went into a protest in June not wearing a mask.

Rhode Island currently recommends that residents choose masks that have “two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric.”

“Please, stay home except for essential activities, and wear a mask anytime you’re with people you don’t live with, said Raimondo on Sunday. “Together, we can turn our case numbers around.”

Ordering Online — Tax That, Too

A recent order of two “Tommy Copper” masks from QVC shows came to $17.90.

Shipping and handling was $3.50 — and the 7% sales tax -- $1.50 -- applied to both. 

“By State regulation, “delivery charges” are included in the “sales price” of property and therefore subject to sales tax if the property sold is taxable,” said Grimaldi. “If the property sold is exempt, delivery charges are not subject to sales tax.”

Across the state, numerous mask donations have been made — Bank of America, for instance, just announced it is providing 50,000 face masks (and 120 cases of hand sanitizer) to Rhode Island non-profits, after donating 100,000 face masks to Providence schools earlier this fall.