Guest MINDSETTER Sen. James Sheehan: Cut Franchise Tax to Attract More Start-Up Business to RI
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Senator James C Sheehan, Guest MINDSETTER™
It seems nonsensical to try to attract new businesses to Rhode Island, and then welcome them to the state by handing them a tax bill. And then another bill the next year, and the next.
That is why this year I have again introduced legislation that would suspend the imposition of the minimum business corporation tax of $500, for a period of three years from the date a business incorporates with the Secretary of State. The legislation is specifically intended to apply to start-up businesses in the state, as well as new businesses coming to Rhode Island. It is designed to support new companies that may not, in the first few years of operating, have achieved profitability.
We talk about wanting to make Rhode Island a good place to open and run a business. We talk about eliminating impediments to businesses, to help them grow and succeed and create jobs for Rhode Islanders. Let’s stop talking about it and do something concrete that will truly be beneficial to small and start-up companies.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Under existing state tax laws, all Rhode Island businesses are billed a minimum $500 per year corporations tax. The bill I have introduced this year (2015-S 0113) would eliminate that bill for first three years a company operates in Rhode Island. It is intended, primarily, to help smaller, start-up companies, the kind that we have been trying to attract through various reforms and business initiatives that have been enacted into law the past few years. Companies deciding Rhode Island is the place they want to do business shouldn’t, upon opening their doors, find a tax bill from the very state that urged them to do business here. That’s money a new company owner could better use to build that business.
Tax breaks, obviously, mean less revenue coming into the state, but I think we need to weigh the potential good that would come from extending a three-year moratorium on this fee to new businesses. Finding a way to boost start-up business, to help them grow into a success and a job creator, will have good long-term benefits for the state. If we can help companies grow here and help provide more jobs for Rhode Islanders, I think our economy will make up many times more than that $500 yearly charge.
Reducing the cost for small businesses – those that are placing their trust, and their investments, in Rhode Island – must be a goal if we want to improve our state’s business climate. I believe my legislation is a reasonable step toward that goal.
James C. Sheehan is the Democratic State Senator from District 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown. He is a chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Oversight, secretary of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Resources and a member of the Senate Committee on Education.
Related Slideshow: The Highest Taxed Communities for 2015
How do the taxes in your community compare to other cities and towns in Rhode Island?
GoLocalProv has ranked communities from the least to the highest taxed on the basis of their tax rates, using newly released data from the state Division of Municipal Finance. The below slides list the tax rate per $1,000 in value for homes, commercial property, personal property, and motor vehicles for the 2015 fiscal year, which began last July and ends next June.
Along with the rates are examples of what taxes might cost a typical resident in each city or town. For residential taxes, this calculation is based on the current statewide median price for a single family home, which is $215,000. For communities with them, homestead exemptions are factored in using the latest available figures. For motor vehicles, the example used is a 2008 Honda Accord, valued at the maximum retail price of $15,150. The total cost of home and car taxes is then represented as a percentage of the median income for that community, offering a rough measure of how affordable taxes are for those residents as compared with the taxes in another city or town.
Data sources: the Rhode Island Division of Municipal Finance, the Rhode Island Association of Realtors, the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, the National Automobile Dealers Association, and the U.S. Census Bureau.
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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.
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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.
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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.
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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.
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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.
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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%
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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
View Larger +
Prev
Next
#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
Related Articles
Enjoy this post? Share it with others.