Rhode Island Senior Property Tax Relief: Credits & Local Options

Rhode Island seniors with household income of $40,730 or less can claim up to $700 in property tax relief through a state credit that covers both homeowners and renters.1 That credit, filed on Form RI-1040H, is the backbone of Rhode Island senior property tax relief and does not require you to owe any state income tax to collect it. Your city or town may run a senior program of its own, so ask the local assessor too.

In This Guide

• Key Takeaways
• Rhode Island Senior Property Tax Relief at a Glance
• The State RI-1040H Credit
• How Rhode Island Senior Property Tax Relief Works for Homeowners and Renters
• Local Municipal Exemptions
• How to Apply
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Next Steps

Rhode Island Senior Property Tax Relief at a Glance

The State RI-1040H Credit

Rhode Island offers a state-level Property Tax Relief Credit designed for seniors and disabled residents on modest incomes.1 It is filed on Form RI-1040H, and because it is set and administered by the state, the rules are the same in every Rhode Island city and town. It is not a flat payment, and you must meet all five of its conditions, listed below. The income limit and maximum credit are set for the 2025 tax year and adjust annually, so check the current-year Form RI-1040H instructions at the Rhode Island Division of Taxation before you file.

Who qualifies

To qualify for the RI-1040H credit for the 2025 tax year:1

• You must be 65 or older and/or disabled.
• You must have been domiciled in Rhode Island for the entire calendar year.
• Your total household income cannot exceed $40,730, counting the taxable and non-taxable income of every household member.
• You must live in a household, or rent a dwelling, that is subject to property taxes.
• You must be current on property tax and rent payments for all prior years and any current installments.1

How the credit is calculated

The credit is the amount by which your property taxes accrued, or for a renter 20 percent of the rent you paid, exceed a set percentage of your total household income: 3, 4, 5 or 6 percent, depending on your income range and household size. That amount is then capped at $700 for 2025.1 The $700 is the ceiling, not a guaranteed amount. If your property tax or rent figure does not exceed that percentage of your income, the credit is zero.1

Who does not qualify

• Households with 2025 income above $40,730 do not qualify for the state credit.1
• People who are neither 65 nor disabled, or who were not domiciled in Rhode Island for the whole year.
• A second claimant in the same household: only one person per household may claim the credit.1
• Taxes or rent paid with public assistance funds do not count toward the credit.1
• A claim filed on behalf of someone who has died: the right to file does not survive the claimant's death, so that claim cannot be allowed. If you help a parent with paperwork, file while they are living.1

How Rhode Island Senior Property Tax Relief Works for Homeowners and Renters

Homeowners claim the RI-1040H credit using the property taxes accrued on their home.1 You will need documentation of the taxes paid, typically your property tax bill or a receipt from the city or town.

Renters can claim the credit too. For renters, 20 percent of the rent paid stands in for property taxes, as long as the dwelling is subject to property taxes.1 If you rent and are 65 or older with household income of $40,730 or less, do not assume you are locked out of Rhode Island's senior property tax relief simply because you do not own a home.

In both cases, the credit is claimed on Form RI-1040H, due April 15 following the tax year (April 15, 2026 for 2025). If you would not normally file a Rhode Island income-tax return, you can file the RI-1040H by itself.1

Local Municipal Exemptions

This guide covers the state credit, set by R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 44-33, which works the same everywhere in Rhode Island.1 Whether your city or town also has a senior property tax program of its own is a question for your local tax assessor's office: residents of Providence, Cranston, Warwick, or Pawtucket would each start with that city's assessor. When you call, do three things:

• Ask whether the town has a senior (and disabled) property tax exemption, and how it works.
• Ask about the income and age requirements and what documentation you will need to prove them, since they may differ from the state credit's.
• Ask about the application deadline, which is set locally and may not match the state credit's April 15 date.

Do not assume that claiming the RI-1040H covers any local benefit, or the other way round. Ask about each one separately.

How to Apply

For the state RI-1040H credit

For local municipal exemptions

Next Steps

If you are 65 or older with household income of $40,730 or less, the RI-1040H credit is worth filing.1 The paperwork is straightforward, and it covers renters as well as homeowners.

• Get Form RI-1040H at tax.ri.gov and file it with your Rhode Island return by April 15.1
• Check your total household income against the $40,730 threshold to confirm you qualify.
• Contact your city or town assessor to ask whether your municipality has a senior property tax exemption of its own.
• Gather documentation of property taxes paid or rent paid for the 2025 tax year before you sit down to fill out the form.

If property taxes are part of a broader question about affording care at home, see our guide on how to pay for senior care for coverage of Medicaid, VA benefits, and other funding options.

For seniors weighing whether to stay in their home or sell, our guide on selling or renting your home to pay for care lays out when each path makes sense.

If you own your home and want to explore borrowing against it, see our overview of reverse mortgages for senior care.

Learn More

Find more guidance on Rhode Island senior property tax relief at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.