Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
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Taxes
Property tax relief for seniors in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has 2 programs that can lower property taxes for older adults: Property Tax Relief Credit and Local elderly exemptions and tax freezes. Each one has its own rules and deadline.
Property Tax Relief Credit
Rhode Island's Property Tax Relief Credit (Form RI-1040H) pays back part of your property tax, or the part of your rent counted as property tax, when it is high compared with your income. It is for people 65 or older or on Social Security disability, homeowners and renters alike. For the 2025 tax year, household income can be up to $40,730 and the credit is up to $700.
How to apply
- By mail
- File Form RI-1040H with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation by April 15. If you owe no state income tax, or less than the credit, the rest is paid to you as a refund.
Who may qualify
| Age | 65 or older, or receiving Social Security disability benefits |
|---|---|
| Household income limit, 2025 tax year (claims filed in 2026) | $40,730 or less |
| Home | You may qualify if you lived in Rhode Island for the whole calendar year and owned or rented your home |
| What counts as income | Household income includes Social Security, pensions and other income that isn't taxed |
What you may get
| Maximum credit, 2025 tax year | $700 |
|---|---|
| How it's figured | The property tax (or rent counted as property tax) above 3% to 6% of your household income, depending on income and household size |
| Renters | 20% of the rent you paid in the year counts as property tax |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Filing deadline | April 15 each year, for property tax or rent from the year before (April 15, 2026 for 2025) |
|---|---|
| Renewal | You file a new claim every year |
| Extra time | The tax administrator may allow up to six more months for sickness, absence or other good cause |
How Rhode Island is different
Where Rhode Island's rules differ from the federal rules for Property tax relief for seniors.
- Renters qualify: 20% of the rent you paid counts as property tax
- Paid as a refund even if you owe no state income tax
- The income limit and maximum credit rise with inflation each year
Good to know
- Renters: renters 65 or older or on Social Security disability can claim the credit. 20% of the rent paid for the home counts as property tax.
- Only one person per household can claim the credit each year.
- Your city or town may also give older homeowners its own exemption or tax freeze. Ask your local tax assessor.
Sources: State of Rhode Island General Assembly (source 1), AARP Foundation Tax-Aide (source 7)
Local elderly exemptions and tax freezes
Rhode Island lets each city and town decide whether to give older homeowners an exemption, a tax credit or a freeze on their tax rate and valuation. Ages, amounts and income limits differ from place to place, so ask your city or town tax assessor what applies where you live.
How to apply
- In person
- Apply with your city or town tax assessor and bring proof that you meet the local rules, such as age, income and residence.
- Who runs it
- Your city or town tax assessor
Who may qualify
| Age | Usually 65 or older, or totally and permanently disabled, as your city or town sets |
|---|---|
| Income limit | Set by your city or town. Some have an income limit and some don't. |
| Home | You may qualify if you own and live in the home. Some towns also require years of residence, such as three years in West Warwick and Tiverton. |
What you may get
| What it's worth | Set by your city or town: an exemption from assessed value, a tax credit, or a freeze on your tax rate and valuation |
|---|
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Application deadline | Set by your city or town (for example, January 1 to May 15 each year in Bristol) |
|---|---|
| Renewal | Set by your city or town. In some towns your proof stands as long as you stay in the same home; Bristol asks you to apply every year. |
How Rhode Island is different
Where Rhode Island's rules differ from the federal rules for Property tax relief for seniors.
- There is no statewide senior exemption: state law lets each city and town choose its own rules
Good to know
- Renters: local relief is mainly for homeowners. Renters may be able to get the state Property Tax Relief Credit (Form RI-1040H) instead.
Free help
Free help with this in Rhode Island
Office of Healthy Aging (OHA)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Rhode Island
Property tax relief in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- State of Rhode Island General Assembly, R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-33-3, Definitions (Property Tax Relief) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- State of Rhode Island General Assembly, R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-33-5, Claim as income tax credit or rebate from state funds (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- State of Rhode Island General Assembly, R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-33-6, Filing date (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- State of Rhode Island General Assembly, R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-33-8, One claim per household (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- State of Rhode Island General Assembly, R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-33-9, Computation of credit (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- State of Rhode Island General Assembly, R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-33-18, Extension of time for filing claims (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, Find Property Tax Relief in Your State: Rhode Island. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- State of Rhode Island General Assembly, R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-16, Elderly: freeze of tax rate and valuation (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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