Warwick Vehicle Tax Bills Mailing Out After State Budget Resolution

WARWICK, RI — Vehicle tax bills, delayed in late June, will be mailed out now that the state budget impasse has been remedied, leaving House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello’s (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) excise tax relief plan eliminating taxes on cars 15 years old or older.

Mayor Scott Avedisian and Tax Assessor Christopher Celeste announced Tuesday that the bills will incorporate the tax relief.

The excise tax relief plan included in the budget stops taxing cars that are 15 years or older immediately.

It starts eliminating taxes on newer cars by reducing the taxable portion of a car’s retail value from 100 percent to 95 percent and increasing the minimum exemption from $500 to $1,000, and capping the rate at $60 in 2018. It continues reducing the taxable value and maximum rates and raising the minimum exemptions through 2023, with the tax completely eliminated in 2024. The budget fully reimburses cities and towns for the lost revenue, a cost of $26 million in 2018.

Any residents who did make payments prior to August 11, 2017 will see that reflected in their bills.

“Now that the state budget debate has ended, the bill to offer car tax relief to taxpayers finally is coming into force,” said Mayor Avedisian. “While the tax rate in Warwick is relatively low, especially for a large City, the car tax has been deemed the most hated tax, so any relief that is given will work to quell some of the disdain for this tax type.  By reducing any tax, it allows the residents to use that money for other things, which will indirectly boost other sectors of the economy. We appreciate taxpayers’ understanding as this issue was resolved.”

No interest will be charged as long as payment of the first installment is received by the city on or before Sept. 30, 2017.  The bill can be paid either online or at the Tax Collector’s Office, located in the first floor of the Annex building, 3275 Post Road. The City’s electronic payment portal is updated and available for those seeking to make payments online. https://www.citizenselfservice.com/

Residents may remit payment amounts as shown on the individual stubs.  The remaining taxes may be paid in installments on Oct. 15, 2017, Jan. 15, 2018, and April 15, 2018, according to Celeste.

With the exception of the first installment, taxes not paid by the due date are delinquent and will carry an interest charge from July 15, 2017 on the current unpaid balance at the rate of 1% per month.  Interest on delinquent accounts will be assessed on October 1, 2017, October 16, 2017, January 16, 2018 and April 16, 2018, Celeste said.

Anyone with additional questions, including payments that are not reflected on the bill, should call the City’s Tax Collector at401-738-2005.