The mission of the Tax Assessor’s Office is to provide for the valuation of all real estate, motor vehicles and tangible personal property in the Town of Lincoln. The primary objective is to discover, list and value all taxable and exempt property, to ensure that assessments are made properly and uniformly, and that the tax roll, when completed, is a true and accurate account of all ratable property in the jurisdiction.
Please be advised that property assessment information can only be obtained through the Tax Assessor’s Office. Questions related to taxes and taxes due should be directed to the Finance Office/Tax Collections.
Tax assessments are set annually as of December 31st.The current tax rates for the 2017 Tax Bills are:
| Residential Real Estate | $21.90 |
| Commercial Real Estate | $26.72 |
| Motor Vehicles | $30.66 |
| Tangible Personal Prop. | $34.39 |
Tax bills are mailed in July.
The quarterly installments DO NOT correspond with the calendar period in which they are due.
Tax periods covered and exemptions vary by type and are explained below:
Real Estate Tax bills cover the Current calendar year. Tax Bills issued in July cover January 1st to December 31st current year. The revaluation cycle follows RI Gen Law 45-5-11.6
The Motor Vehicle Excise Tax covers the Prior calendar year. Excise Tax Bills issued in July cover vehicle registrations from January 1st to December 31st prior year. Values are based on last year’s number of days registered during that year. Address changes must be made at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Please visit their website at http://www.dmv.ri.gov/. If you move to a different municipality within the State, you will be billed by the municipality you reside in on December 31st. If you move out of state, you will be billed for the amount of days your vehicle was registered in Rhode Island. If you dispose of your vehicle by any means (sale, transfer, theft, collision, junked, etc) you must cancel the registration to avoid further taxes. When a registration is properly canceled, the taxes will stop as of the date of cancellation. However, because the Excise Tax covers the prior calendar year, you may receive up to two more Tax Bills for this registration.
Tangible Personal Property Tax
Tangible Property Tax bills cover the Prior calendar year. Tax bills issued in July will cover January 1st to December 31st prior year. All business owners within the Town are required to file an annual declaration indicating the year and acquisition cost of the furniture, fixtures, equipment and inventory owned by the business. All declarations are due by January 31st annually. Extensions will be granted until March 15th upon a written request received by January 31st. It is suggested that those responsible to file these declarations review RIGL statutes 44-5-15, 16, 17 & 26.
If you feel the valuation of your property is overstated, you may appeal to the Tax Assessor. Appeal Forms are available in the Assessor’s Office and must be filed within 90 days from the first tax payment (installment) is due. Generally this deadline is October 31st of the current year. If after the Tax Assessor has reviewed your appeal, you still feel aggrieved, you may further appeal to the Tax Board of Review within 30 days of the Assessor’s decision.
Neither the Tax Assessor nor the Tax Board of Review will address appeals based on taxes. They can only address valuation issues. Please see RI General Law 44-5-26 for complete details regarding the Appeal process.
All new applicants seeking an exemption must be owner of record and occupy residence on December 31st to be eligible for the next year’s tax roll. Deadline to apply is April 15th of the year the exemption is to take place. You MUST apply in person to the Tax Assessor’s Office.
Homestead Exemption - 35% off Assessed Value
Must be owner occupied as of December 31st to be eligible for the following tax year.
Residential parcels consisting of between one and five Dwelling Units are eligible for this exemption. This exemption does not apply to parcels with any commercial/mixed use. The current percentage of this exemption is 35% of the assessed value
Senior Citizens $600 Tax Credit
Must have owned and occupied real estate within the Town of Lincoln for 5 years or more. Must be 65 or more by the December 31st prior to the following July’s Tax Bill.
Senior Citizen Tax Credit Relief
Total household income not to exceed $24,999. Must complete RI 1040H form. Sliding scale based on age and income. Must apply Annually.
Blind $6,000 Assessment Dollars
Physician’s statement is required.
Stone Wall - $5,000 Assessment Dollars
The intent of this exemption is to create an incentive for property owners to preserve historic stone walls located in Lincoln since they create a cultural resource and help preserve the rural character of the Town.
As determined by the Social Security Administration. Must have owned and occupied real estate for 5 years. Proof of continued eligibility required annually. Converts to Senior Exemption at age 65.
Veterans - $10,000 Assessment Dollars
A copy of applicants DD-214 is required. Veterans who served honorably in the armed forces or the Merchant Marines of the United States or the un-remarried widow of one whom served during the following dates:
100% Disabled Veteran - $11,000 Assessment Dollars
Service connected only 100%
Certified by the Veteran’s Administration
POW - $11,000 Assessment Dollars
Certified by the Veteran’s Administration
Gold Star Parent - $5,000 Assessment Dollars
One whose Son or Daughter dies as a casualty of the following wars/conflicts:
Special Housing - $11,000 Assessment Dollars
Certified by the Veteran’s Administration.
