New Study: RI Ranks 5th Worst For Taxes on the Poor
GoLocalProv News Team
New Study: RI Ranks 5th Worst For Taxes on the Poor
A study released Wednesday by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) and the Economic Progress Institute shows that the lowest income Rhode Islanders pay 12.5 percent of their income towards state and local taxes compared to the state’s wealthiest residents who pay 6.3 percent.

Rhode Island now ranks 5th worst in the country for taxes on the poor, up from 9th place two years ago. No other New England state ranks in the top ten.
“This study underscores why Rhode Islanders who are struggling in our low-wage economy should be the number one priority for any tax relief efforts considered in the coming year” said Kate Brewster, executive director of the Economic Progress Institute, a non-partisan research and policy organization.
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“Making our state’s Earned Income Tax Credit fully refundable last year was a first step towards making our tax structure fairer. This year we hope to see the EITC increased to at least be on par with our neighboring states who allow working families to keep more of their paycheck,” Brewster said.
The study analyzes tax systems in all 50 states and factors in all major state and local taxes, including personal and corporate income taxes, property taxes, sales and other excise taxes.
The full study can be found at www.whopays.org.
The Highest Taxed Communities for 2015
#39 New Shoreham
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $5.34
Commercial: $5.34
Personal Property: $5.34
Motor Vehicle: $9.75
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $1,148.10
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $147.71
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income:1.43%
Note: Real property is assessed at 80 percent of value. This is reflected in the community's ranking.
#38 Little Compton
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $5.64
Commercial: $5.64
Personal Property: $11.28
Motor Vehicle: $13.90
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $1,212.60
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $210.59
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 1.56%
#37 Jamestown
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $8.75
Commercial: $8.75
Personal Property: $8.75
Motor Vehicle: $14.42
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $1,881.25
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $218.46
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 2.46%
#36 Charlestown
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $9.90
Commercial: $9.90
Personal Property: $9.90
Motor Vehicle: $13.08
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $2,128.50
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $198.16
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 3.20%
#35 Bristol
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $13.06
Commercial: $13.06
Personal Property: $13.06
Motor Vehicle: $17.35
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $2,807.90
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $262.85
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 5.04%
Note: Bristol had a revaluation or statistical update effective December 31, 2013
#34 Narragansett
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $10.04
Commercial: $15.06
Personal Property: $15.06
Motor Vehicle: $16.46
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $2,158.60
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $249.37
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 3.58%
#33 Westerly
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $10.64
Commercial: $10.64
Personal Property: $10.64
Motor Vehicle: $29.67
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $2,287.60
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $449.50
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 4.64%
#32 Portsmouth
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $15.80
Commercial: $15.80
Personal Property: $15.80
Motor Vehicle: $22.50
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $3,397.00
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $340.88
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 5.10%
Note: Motor vehicles are assessed at 70 percent of value. This is reflected in the community's ranking.
#31 South Kingstown
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $15.48
Commercial: $15.48
Personal Property: $15.48
Motor Vehicle: $18.71
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $3,328.20
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $283.46
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 4.91%
#30 Newport
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $12.06
Commercial:$16.72
Personal Property: $16.72
Motor Vehicle: $23.45
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $2,592.90
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $355.27
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 5.11%
#29 Middletown
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential:$16.07
Commercial: $21.34
Personal Property: $16.07
Motor Vehicle: $16.05
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $3,455.05
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $243.16
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 5.23%
#28 Exeter
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $14.63
Commercial: $14.63
Personal Property: $14.63
Motor Vehicle: $32.59
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $3,145.45
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $493.74
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 3.82%
#27 Tiverton
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $19.30
Commercial: $19.30
Personal Property: $19.30
Motor Vehicle: $19.14
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,149.50
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $289.97
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 6.46%
#26 North Kingstown
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $18.91
Commercial: $18.91
Personal Property: $18.91
Motor Vehicle: $22.04
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,065.65
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $333.91
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 5.49%
#25 Richmond
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $20.94
Commercial: $20.94
Personal Property: $20.94
Motor Vehicle: $22.64
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,502.10
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $343.00
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 5.88%
Notes:
1. Motor vehicles are assessed at 80 percent of value. This is reflected in the community's ranking
2. Richmond had a revaluation or statistical update effective Dec. 31, 2013
#24 Hopkinton
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $20.64
Commercial: $20.64
Personal Property: $20.64
Motor Vehicle: $21.18
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,437.60
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $320.88
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 7.13%
Note: Hopkinton had a revaluation or statistical update effective Dec. 31, 2013
#23 Cumberland
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $17.08
Commercial: $17.08
Personal Property: $29.53
Motor Vehicle: $19.87
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $3,672.20
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $301.03
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 5.42%
Note: Cumberland had a revaluation or statistical update effective Dec. 31, 2013
#22 Coventry
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $20.40
Commercial: $24.58
Personal Property: $20.40
Motor Vehicle: $18.75
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,386.00
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $284.06
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 7.12%
Note: Coventry had a revaluation or statistical update effective Dec. 31, 2013
#21 Warren
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $20.07
Commercial: $20.07
Personal Property: $20.07
Motor Vehicle:$26.00
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,315.05
For a 2008 Honda accord: $393.90
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 8.62%
#20 East Greenwich
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $23.26
Commercial: $23.26
Personal Property: $23.26
Motor Vehicle: $22.88
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $5,000.90
For a 2008 Honda accord: $346.63
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 5.48%
#19 Burrillville
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $18.88
Commercial: $18.88
Personal Property: $18.88
Motor Vehicle: $40.00
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,059.20
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $606.00
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 7.01%
#18 Barrington
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $18.30
Commercial: $18.30
Personal Property: $18.30
Motor Vehicle: $42.00
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $3,934.50
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $636.30
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 4.43%
#17 West Greenwich
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $22.55
Commercial: $22.55
Personal Property:$33.85
Motor Vehicle: $19.02
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,848.25
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $288.15
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 6.36%
Notes:
1. Does not include rate for vacant land which is $16.07
2. West Greenwich has a homestead exemption
3. West Greenwich had a revaluation or statistical update effective Dec. 31, 2013
#16 Foster
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $21.06
Commercial: $21.06
Personal Property: $28.96
Motor Vehicle: $36.95
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,527.90
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $559.79
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 6.26%
#15 Scituate
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $18.98
Commercial: $21.94
Personal Property: $40.38
Motor Vehicle: $30.20
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,080.70
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $457.53
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 5.52%
Note: Motor vehicles are assessed at 95 percent of value. This is reflected in the community's ranking.
#14 North Smithfield
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $16.02
Commercial: $17.77
Personal Property: $42.80
Motor Vehicle: $37.62
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $3,444.30
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $569.94
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 5.21%
#13 Glocester
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $21.77
Commercial: $24.74
Personal Property: $43.34
Motor Vehicle: $24.37
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,680.55
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $369.21
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 6.31%
Note: Glocester had a revaluation or statistical update effective Dec. 31, 2013
#12 Lincoln
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $23.57
Commercial: $26.94
Personal Property: $37.02
Motor Vehicle: $30.66
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $5,067.55
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $464.50
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 7.33%
Note: Lincoln Has a homestead exemption.
#11 Warwick
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $20.06
Commercial: $30.09
Personal Property: $40.12
Motor Vehicle: $34.60
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,312.90
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $524.19
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 7.93%
#10 West Warwick
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential:
- For apartments with 6+ units: $36.28
- For Two to Five Family buildings: $36.45
- For Single family homes: $25.3
Commercial: $30.85
Personal Property: $40.13
Motor Vehicle: $28.47
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $5,458.85
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $431.32
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 11.46%
Note: For rankng purposes, an average of the three residential rates was used.
#9 Smithfield
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $17.13
Commercial: $17.13
Personal Property: $59.70
Motor Vehicle: $39.00
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $3,682.95
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $590.85
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 5.89%
#8 Cranston
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $22.84
Commercial: $34.26
Personal Property: $34.26
Motor Vehicle: $42.44
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,910.60
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $642.97
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 9.45%
#7 East Providence
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $22.95
Commercial: $25.40
Personal Property: $56.67
Motor Vehicle: $37.10
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,934.25
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $562.07
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income:11.09%
Notes:
1. Rates are for FY 2014
2. East Providence has homestead exemptions
#6 Johnston
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $28.75
Commercial: $28.75
Personal Property: $59.22
Motor Vehicle: $41.46
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $6,181.25
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $628.12
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 11.99%
Note: Johnston has homestead exemptions
#5 Pawtucket
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $23.06
Commercial: $30.88
Personal Property: $52.09
Motor Vehicle: $53.30
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,957.90
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $807.50
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 14.28%
#4 Woonsocket
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $35.94
Commercial: $39.99
Personal Property: $46.58
Motor Vehicle: $46.58
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $7,727.10
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $705.69
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 21.99%
Note: Woonsocket has homestead exemptions
#3 North Providence
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $27.94
Commercial: $34.68
Personal Property: $69.91
Motor Vehicle: $41.95
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $6,007.10
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $635.54
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 13.04%
Notes:
1. North Providence has homestead exemptions
2. North Providence had a revaluation or statistical update effective Dec. 31, 2013
#2 Providence
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential:
- For owner-occupied residential property: $19.25
- For non-owner-occupied residential property: $33.75
Commercial: $36.75
Personal Property: $55.80
Motor Vehicle: $60.00
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $4,138.75
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $909.00
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 13.20%
Note: For ranking purposes, the average of two residential rates was used
#1 Central Falls
FY 2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 in Value
Residential: $27.26
Commercial: $39.48
Personal Property: $73.11
Motor Vehicle: $48.65
Tax Cost for Residents
Taxes for a Single Family Home Valued at $215,000: $5,860.90
For a 2008 Honda Accord: $737.05
Total Taxes as a % of Median Income: 22.54%
Note: Central Falls has homestead exemptions
