2015 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 44 - Taxation
Chapter 44-20 - Cigarette Tax
Section 44-20-13.2 - Tax imposed on smokeless tobacco, cigars, and pipe tobacco products.

§ 44-20-13.2 Tax imposed on smokeless tobacco, cigars, and pipe tobacco products. – (a) A tax is imposed on all smokeless tobacco, cigars, and pipe tobacco products sold or held for sale in the state by any person, the payment of the tax to be accomplished according to a mechanism established by the administrator, division of taxation, department of administration. Any tobacco product on which the proper amount of tax provided for in this chapter has been paid, payment being evidenced by a stamp, is not subject to a further tax under this chapter. The tax imposed by this section shall be as follows:

(1) At the rate of eighty percent (80%) of the wholesale cost of cigars, pipe tobacco products and smokeless tobacco other than snuff.

(2) Notwithstanding the eighty percent (80%) rate in subsection (a) above, in the case of cigars, the tax shall not exceed fifty cents ($.50) for each cigar.

(3) At the rate of one dollar ($1.00) per ounce of snuff, and a proportionate tax at the like rate on all fractional parts of an ounce thereof. Such tax shall be computed based on the net weight as listed by the manufacturer, provided, however, that any product listed by the manufacturer as having a net weight of less than 1.2 ounces shall be taxed as if the product has a net weight of 1.2 ounces.

(b) Any dealer having in his or her possession any tobacco, cigars, and pipe tobacco products with respect to the storage or use of which a tax is imposed by this section shall, within five (5) days after coming into possession of the tobacco, cigars, and pipe tobacco in this state, file a return with the tax administrator in a form prescribed by the tax administrator. The return shall be accompanied by a payment of the amount of the tax shown on the form to be due. Records required under this section shall be preserved on the premises described in the relevant license in such a manner as to ensure permanency and accessibility for inspection at reasonable hours by authorized personnel of the administrator.

(c) The proceeds collected are paid into the general fund.

History of Section.
(P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 102, § 3; P.L. 1994, ch. 70, art. 34, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 77, art. 7, § 5; P.L. 2005, ch. 117, art. 16, § 6; P.L. 2006, ch. 246, art. 30, §§ 15, 16; P.L. 2007, ch. 340, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 104, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 5, art. 9, § 8; P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 21, § 6.)