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Rhode Island General Laws 44-30-1.1. Exemption from tax for writers, composers, and artists

     

(a)  This section shall only apply to writers, composers, and artists residing within a section of the defined economic development zone within the city of Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Warwick, or East Providence, or the economic development zone within the town of Westerly as defined in § 44-18-30B(c)(1)(i), or within the city of Newport or within the town of Tiverton or the town of Little Compton, or within those areas of the town of Warren that are zoned “waterfront district,” “special district,” “village business district,” “manufacturing district,” “business district,” or “Warren historic district,” or a tax pass-through entity wholly owned by one or more such individuals and who create such work while residing in the zone, or in the case of Newport or the town of Little Compton, within those areas of the city or town that are zoned “general business,” “waterfront business,” or “limited business,” or have been designated by the city of Newport as part of the arts district, or in the case of Warren, within those areas of the town that are zoned “waterfront district,” “special district,” “village business district,” “manufacturing district,” “business district,” or “Warren historic district,” or in the case of Tiverton within those areas of the town that are zoned “business commercial,” “business waterfront,” or “village commercial.” For the purposes of this section, a “work” means an original and creative work, whether written, composed, created, or executed for “one-of-a-kind, limited” production, before or after the passing of this section, that falls into one of the following categories: (1) A book or other writing; (2) A play or the performance of said play; (3) A musical composition or the performance of said composition; (4) A painting or other like picture; (5) A sculpture; (6) Traditional and fine crafts; (7) The creation of a film or the acting of said film; (8) The creation of a dance or the performance of said dance. For purposes of this section, a “work” does not apply to any piece or performance created or executed for industry oriented or related production.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 44-30-1.1

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • in writing: include printing, engraving, lithographing, and photo-lithographing, and all other representations of words in letters of the usual form. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-16
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • town: may be construed to include city; the words "town council" include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9

(b)  This section shall apply to any individual:

(1)  Who is a resident within the section of the economic development zone designated as the arts and entertainment district in the downtown areas of the cities of Providence, Woonsocket, Pawtucket or East Providence, and deriving the income exempted from within said district while a resident of said zone, or who is a resident within the section of the arts and entertainment district in the town of Westerly, as defined in § 44-18-30B(c)(1)(i) and who derives the income exempted from within said district while a resident of said zone. For the purposes of this section, the “Providence arts and entertainment district” is defined as the area bounded by Pine Street to the southeast, Dorrance Street to the northeast, Sabin Street to the northwest, and Empire Street to the southwest. Said Providence arts and entertainment district also includes the area beginning at the point of intersection of Acorn Street and Harris Avenue, then turning east onto Atwells Avenue to Service Road 7, then turning southerly onto Service Road 7 to Westminster Street, then turning westerly onto Westminster Street, continuing until Bridgham, then turning south onto Bridgham to Cranston Street, then turning southwesterly onto Cranston Street, then continuing to Messer Street, then turning north onto Messer Street to Westminster Street, turning west onto Westminster Street to US Hwy 6 off ramp, then heading west on US Hwy 6 to Sheridan Street, then heading northeast on Sheridan Street to Aleppo Street, then turning southeast along Aleppo Street to Pelham Street, then heading northeast on Pelham Street to Manton Avenue, then continuing southeast on Manton Avenue until Delaine Street, then heading northeast on Delaine Street until Appleton Street, then continuing northwesterly on Appleton Street until Bowdoin Street, then heading north on Bowdoin Street until Barstow Street, then heading east on Barstow until Valley Street, then heading northeast on Valley Street to Hemlock Street, then turning southeast on Hemlock Street until Promenade Street, then heading east on Promenade Street to Acorn Street, then heading south on Acorn Street to the intersection of Acorn Street and Harris Avenue. The abovementioned streets shall be included in the district. The “Westerly arts and entertainment district” is defined in § 44-18-30B(c)(1)(i). The “Pawtucket arts and entertainment district” shall be defined as the area beginning at the point of intersection of Dexter Street and the Central Falls line, then east along the Central Falls Line to the Blackstone River, then north along the city boundary on the Blackstone River to the Cumberland line, then west along the Pawtucket city boundary line to I-95, then south along I-95 to Pine Street, then north on Pine Street to AMTRAK Right of Way, then northwest along the AMTRAK Right of Way to Dexter Street, then north on Dexter Street to the Central Falls line. The abovementioned streets shall be included in the district. The “Woonsocket arts and entertainment district” shall be defined as the area beginning at a point of land on the southwest bank of the Blackstone River abutting the bridge for the Providence & Worcester Railroad and proceeding northerly to a point at the intersection of Worrall Street, Clinton Street and Harry S. Truman Drive, then proceeding northwesterly along Worrall Street to its intersection with Social Street, then turning westerly on Social Street proceeding to its intersection with Main Street, Blackstone Street and North Main Street, then turning northwesterly and proceeding along Blackstone Street to its intersection with River Street, then turning northerly and proceeding along River Street to its intersection with the northeast bank of Blackstone River, then following the riverbank southerly to the bridge at Bernon Street and turning easterly crossing the Blackstone River via Bernon Street and proceeding to its intersection with Front Street, then turning northeasterly on Front Street and proceeding to its intersection with Hamlet Avenue, and to include the former Courthouse on the southerly side of Front Street at its intersection with Hamlet Avenue, then turning easterly on Hamlet Avenue and proceeding to its intersection with Manville Road, then turning southeasterly on Manville Road and proceeding to its intersection with Davison Avenue, then turning northeasterly on Davison Avenue and proceeding to a point on the southwest bank of the Blackstone River, then turning northerly, following the southerly riverbank to the point of beginning. The abovementioned streets are included in the district. The Warwick arts district is defined as that area known as Pontiac Village, beginning on Route 5 at the Warwick/Cranston municipal boundary, then south to the intersection of Route 5 and the Pawtuxet River, then following the Pawtuxet River in an easterly and northerly direction to the municipal boundary in the vicinity of Knight Street, then from the intersection of Knight Street and the municipal boundary westerly along the Warwick/Cranston municipal boundary to the intersection of Route 5 and Greenwich Avenue. The above named streets are included in the district. The “East Providence art district” shall be defined at a point of land on the northeast bank of the Seekonk River abutting the Henderson Bridge and proceeding easterly along Wilmarth Avenue to a point at the intersection of North Broadway, then proceeding southerly to South Broadway and continuing to the intersection of Warren Avenue, then proceeding westerly on the southerly side of Warren Avenue to the intersection with Burgess Avenue, then proceeding southerly to the intersection at Veterans Memorial Parkway, then proceeding westerly to the intersection at Waterfront Drive, including the area known as Bold Point Park, then northerly along the southeast bank of the Seekonk River back to the point of the beginning.

This section shall also apply to any individual who is a resident of the city of Newport or the town of Tiverton or the town of Little Compton and whose income otherwise qualifies for an exemption as provided for in this section.

This section shall also apply to any individual who is a resident of the town of Warren and whose income otherwise qualifies for an exemption as provided for in this section.

(2)  Who is determined by the tax administrator, after consideration of any evidence in relation to the matter which the individual submits to him or her and after such consultation as may seem to him or her to be necessary with such person or body of persons as in his or her opinion may be of assistance to him or her, to have written, composed or executed either solely or jointly with another individual, a work or works that would fall into one of the categories listed in subsection (a) of this section.

(c)(1)  An individual to whom this section applies and who duly makes a claim to the tax administrator in that behalf shall, subject to subsection (c)(2) of this section, be entitled to have the profits or gains arising to him or her from the publication, production or sale of a work or works in relation to which the tax administrator has made a determination under subsection (b)(2) of this section to be taken as a modification reducing federal adjusted gross income.

(2)  The modification authorized by this section shall apply to the year in which the profit or gain from the publication, production or sale of a work is realized.

(d)  The tax administrator may serve on an individual who makes a claim under this section a notice or notices, in writing, requiring him or her to make available within any time that may be specified in the notice of all such books, accounts and documents in his or her possession or power as may be requested, being books, accounts and documents relating to the publication, production or sale of the work in respect of the profits or gains of which exemption is claimed.

(e)  For the purpose of determining the amount of profits or gains subject to modification under this section, the tax administrator may make any apportionment of receipts and expenses that may be necessary.

(f)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any individual seeking relief under this section shall file a Rhode Island personal income tax return listing the modification reducing federal adjusted gross income relating to profits or gains realized from the works as defined in this section.

History of Section.
P.L. 1996, ch. 431, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 329, § 2; P.L. 1998, ch. 382, § 2; P.L. 1998, ch. 406, § 2; P.L. 1998, ch. 414, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 226, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 312, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 445, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 470, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 542, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 546, § 2; P.L. 2005, ch. 257, § 2; P.L. 2005, ch. 270, § 2; P.L. 2005, ch. 425, § 2; P.L. 2021, ch. 258, § 1, effective July 14, 2021.

Rhode Island General Laws 44-30.1-1. Definitions

     

(a)  “Benefit overpayments and interest owed” means any amount in excess of five hundred dollars ($500) determined to be recoverable under the provisions of chapters 39 — 44 of title 28.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 44-30.1-1

  • Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
  • Guarantor: A party who agrees to be responsible for the payment of another party's debts should that party default. Source: OCC
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • United States: include the several states and the territories of the United States. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-8

(b)  “Cash assistance benefit overpayments” means any amount of cash assistance benefits which constitutes an overpayment of benefits under the provisions of the Rhode Island Works Program as previously established by chapter 5.2 of Title 40, and/or the predecessor family assistance programs, formerly known as the Family Independence Program, as previously established by chapter 5.1 of Title 40, and the Aid to Families With Dependent Children program, as previously established by § 40-6-4, which overpayment amount has been established by court order, by administrative hearing conducted by the department of human services, or by written agreement between the department of human services and the individual.

(c)  “Claimant agency” means either:

(1)  The department of human services, with respect (1) to past-due support which has been assigned to the department of human services by public assistance and medical assistance recipients or by the department of children, youth and families, (2) past-due support which it is attempting to collect on behalf of any individual not eligible as a public assistance recipient, and (3) cash assistance benefit overpayments or medical assistance benefit overpayments, as defined herein; or

(2)(i)  The Rhode Island division of higher education assistance, with respect to obligations owed to that agency or to the state of Rhode Island by reason of default or failure to pay student loans, health professions contract advances or scholarships or grant over-awards, or

(ii)  The Rhode Island division of higher education assistance, acting as agent for the United States Department of Education or other student loan guarantee agencies in other states which have negotiated a reciprocal arrangement with the Rhode Island division of higher education assistance for the setoff of refunds of personal income taxes against defaulted loan obligations.

(3)  The Rhode Island court administrative office, with respect to court costs, fines, and restitution owed; or

(4)  The department of labor and training with respect to benefit overpayments and interest owed in excess of five hundred dollars ($500).

(d)  “Court costs owed” means any fines, fees, and/or court costs which have been assessed pursuant to a criminal disposition by a judge of the district, family and superior courts, including, but not limited to, those amounts assessed pursuant to chapters 20 and 25 of title 12 and those amounts assessed pursuant to title 31, including also those fines, fees, and/or court costs assessed by the traffic tribunal or municipal court associated with motor vehicle violations which have not been paid and which have been declared delinquent by the administrative judge of the court making the assessment.

(e)  “Debtor” means:

(1)  Any individual who owes past-due support which has been assigned to the department of human services by public assistance and medical assistance recipients or by the department of children, youth and families, or owes past due support to any individual not eligible as a public assistance recipient;

(2)  Any individual who has obligations owed to the Rhode Island division of higher education assistance or the state of Rhode Island, the United States Department of Education or other states and agencies that have negotiated reciprocal agreements with the Rhode Island division of higher education assistance;

(3)  Any individual who owes fines, fees, and/or court costs to the superior, family, district courts and the traffic tribunal and municipal court associated with motor vehicle violations;

(4)  Any individual who owes restitution to any victim of any offense which has been ordered by a judge of the district, family and superior courts pursuant to a disposition in a criminal case and which has been made payable through the administrative office of state courts pursuant to § 12-19-34 except that obligations discharged in bankruptcy shall not be included;

(5)  Any individual who owes any sum in excess of five hundred dollars ($500) for benefit overpayments and interest to the department of labor and training determined to be recoverable under the provisions of chapters 39-44 of title 28.

(6)  Any individual who owes any sum of cash assistance benefit overpayments to the department of human services.

(7)  Any individual who has obligations owed to the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA), or other states and agencies that have negotiated reciprocal agreements with RISLA.

(f)  “Division” means the department of revenue, division of taxation.

(g)  “Fines owed” means any fines, fees, and/or court costs which have been ordered paid as a penalty in a criminal case by a judge of the district, family and superior courts and those fines, fees, and/or court costs ordered paid by the traffic tribunal or municipal court for motor vehicle violations as described in § 31-41.1-4 which have not been paid and which have been declared delinquent by the administrative judge of the court making the assessment.

(h)  “Medical assistance benefit overpayment” means any amount of medical assistance benefits which constitutes an overpayment of medical assistance benefits. The department is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to provide for notice and hearing prior to the income tax intercept by the department for income tax intercept for medical assistance benefits overpaid to the recipient. The amount of overpayment of benefits may include the overpayment of benefits due to the fact that the Medicaid recipient failed to pay the cost share obligation lawfully imposed in accordance with Rhode Island law.

(i)  “Medical assistance cost share arrearage” means any amount due and owing to the department of human services as a result of a Medicaid recipient’s failure to pay their cost share obligation, including any amount due for a cost sharing obligation or medical assistance premium obligation, imposed in accordance with Title 40, Chapter 8.4 of the Rhode Island General Laws.

(j)  “Obligation owed” means the total amount owed by any individual on:

(1)  Any guaranteed student loan or parent loan for undergraduate students for which the Rhode Island division of higher education assistance has had to pay the guarantee, or for which the Rhode Island division of higher education assistance is acting as agent on behalf of the United States Department of Education or other state cooperating agencies which have had to pay a guarantee,

(2)  Any contract fee advanced by either the Rhode Island division of higher education assistance or the state of Rhode Island on behalf of any individual participating in a health professions educational program for which payment has not been made according to the terms of the contract, and

(3)  Any amount of scholarship or grant funds which constitutes an over-award, whether due to error or to the submission of false information, and for which repayment has been demanded by the agency, but which has not been paid.

(4)  Any education loan held by the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) not guaranteed by the Rhode Island division of higher education assistance or other guarantor.

(k)  “Past-due support” means the amount of court-ordered child support or maintenance, child medical support or a spousal support order for a custodial parent having custody of a minor child, which is overdue or otherwise in arrears, regardless of whether there is an outstanding judgment for that amount, and whether the order for the support or maintenance has been established by a court or by an administrative process authorized under the laws of any state.

(l)  “Refund” means the Rhode Island income tax refund which the division of taxation determines to be due to a taxpayer.

(m)  “Restitution owed” means any amount which has been ordered paid pursuant to a criminal case disposition by a judge of the district, family and superior courts pursuant to chapter 19 of Title 12, which has not been paid and which has been declared delinquent by the administrative judge of the court making the assessment.

History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 111, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 102, § 2; P.L. 1984, ch. 83, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 299, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 126, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 136, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 36; P.L. 1988, ch. 208, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 237, § 4; P.L. 1999, ch. 170, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 595, art. 20, §§ 1, 2; P.L. 2008, ch. 98, § 47; P.L. 2008, ch. 145, § 47; P.L. 2009, ch. 68, art. 16, § 6; P.L. 2009, ch. 318, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 7, § 21.