Woonsocket Mayor Announces New Tax Amnesty Program

WOONSOCKET, RI — Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt has announced a new tax amnesty program as part of an effort to collect overdue tangible and motor vehicle taxes from before the 2020 tax year.

The program, which will run from February 8 to April 8, will allow businesses and individuals to pay the principal amount of the tax owed without having to pay accumulated interest or penalties.

"This tax amnesty program targets businesses and individuals who have had trouble paying their tangible and motor vehicle property taxes in the past and gives them the opportunity to wipe the slate clean with the City and go forward with a fresh start," said Baldelli-Hunt in a statement.

The mayor said she proposed a law to the Rhode Island General Assembly to allow the City to adopt by ordinance tax amnesty periods, which became enacted on June 27, 2020.

"Times have been financially tough for many of our businesses and residents especially because of COVID-19 and this amnesty program not only provides relief to them, but also is beneficial to the City because we will be collecting taxes that have been delinquent," said Baldelli-Hunt.

To be eligible for the amnesty program, taxpayers must submit a written request to waive interest and penalties to the city's treasury office and full payment of the entire overdue tax balance.