R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-13.12 — Exemption of persons over the age of 65 years or fully disabled in the town of Exeter

(a) In order to encourage, maintain, and preserve a sustainable supply of owner-occupied
housing that is affordable for low- and moderate-income senior citizens and individuals
with disabilities that is in keeping with the rural character of the town of Exeter
and that is consistent with environmental and available infrastructure considerations,
the assessor shall grant upon a proper claim a tax exemption in accordance with the
schedule of exemptions provided in subsection (g) of this section.
(b) The word “income,” as used herein, includes the aggregate income of the person and
all other persons residing with him or her. “Income” shall be computed on a calendar-year
basis and shall include all income of every nature and description, whether or not
taxable, and whether earned or unearned, and includes, but is not limited to: interest,
gross net gains, gifts, pensions, all types of compensation, social security, and
veterans benefits.
(c) This exemption applies to owner-occupants only. Only one exemption shall be granted
to co-tenants, joint tenants, or tenants by the entirety who are sixty-five (65) years
of age or older or who are totally disabled and occupy the subject property.
(d) This exemption applies only to the legally zoned minimally required acreage, primary
dwelling, and its associated accessory structures, owned and occupied by the applicant.
Additional or excess acreage, sites, secondary dwellings, and improvements inconsistent
with the legal and conforming use of the primary dwelling are not eligible for this
exemption.
(e) The elderly/disabled tax exemption as provided in this section is provided annually,
upon timely application, to every qualified person who is a legally domiciled resident
of the town of Exeter of the age of sixty-five (65) or more years and has reached
his or her 65th birthday by December 31 of the assessment year for which the exemption
is sought or who is totally disabled, and continuously residing in the town of Exeter
in a dwelling house or mobile home owned by him or her. Applications must be completed
and filed on or before April 15 of each year for which the exemption is claimed and
shall be signed by the applicant and notarized under the pains and penalties of perjury.
(f) Proof of the qualification of any applicant for the elderly/disabled tax exemption,
as provided in this section, shall include the following, together with such other
and further information as may be deemed reasonable and necessary by the tax assessor
or the town council:
(1) Age shall be proven by furnishing to the assessor either a birth certificate, certificate
of citizenship, baptismal certificate, or certified affidavit, under the pains of
perjury, of a third party having knowledge, or a government issued ID card.
(2) Ownership shall be established by furnishing the assessor with sufficient evidence
of the date of purchase and certified copies of the documentary land evidence records
relating to acquisition of the subject property.
(3) Legal domicile shall be established by the production of any of the documents authorized
by § 17-1-3.1 to establish residency for voting purposes.
(4) Income and occupancy may be proven by incorporating required facts in a sworn application
signed by the applicant and notarized, under the pains and penalties of perjury (the
form of which is furnished by the assessor), together with copies of all requested
United States and Rhode Island tax returns and schedules.
(5) Disability may be proven by a licensed medical doctor’s sworn and notarized opinion,
or by satisfactory federal or state documentation certifying such total disability.
(6) Additionally, the assessor may require such other and further verifications or documents
respecting qualifications of the applicant as he or she deems reasonably necessary
or appropriate.
(7) No property shall be exempt from taxation which the assessor determines to have been
conveyed to an applicant for the purpose of evading taxation.
(g) The following schedule shall determine the amount of the exemption to which the applicant
may be entitled pursuant to this ordinance:
Household Income Assessment Reduction
0 — $20,000 50%
$20,001 — $25,000 40%
$25,001 — $30,000 30%
$30,001 — $35,000 20%
$35,001 — $40,000 10%
$40,001 — $52,000 5%
(1) When applying multiple exemptions, the assessor shall first apply the assessment reduction
provided in this section and then apply any other applicable exemptions.
(2) The assessor shall grant upon a proper claim a tax exemption to any qualified person
who meets the requirements contained in subsection (f) of this section. No such exemption
shall exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000). This exemption is in addition to any
other exemption from taxation provided under any other law or ordinance; provided,
however, that this exemption will supersede any previous elderly/disabled freeze or
exemption. Any person with a preexisting elderly/disabled freeze, sliding scale exemption
on the effective date of this ordinance may choose to either continue on the existing
program, or may apply for this exemption.