Rhode Island General Laws Title 44. Taxation § 44-3-31.1. Providence--Freeze of certain tax

(a) The city of Providence is authorized to provide, by ordinance, for the freezing of property taxes on owner-occupied residential real estate, for 2001, at 105.5% of the amount of the property taxes levied for 2000 upon the assessed valuation as of December 31, 1999 (plus any property tax attributable to additions to the property between December 31, 1999 and December 31, 2000); and in subsequent years, at the amount of the property tax for the next prior year increased by the percentage increase in the tax rate for real estate (plus any increase in taxes due to any additions to the property between the date as of which the taxes are levied and the date as of which the taxes for the next prior year were levied) provided the household income of the owner is not greater than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) during the calendar year of the date of assessment of the valuations.

(b) For the purposes of this section “ owner-occupied residential real estate” is defined as real property from one to three (3) families owned and occupied by the owner or owners and having not more than three (3) dwelling units, one of the units of which constitutes the principal residence of the owner or owners; such property includes assessed land, buildings or improvements incidental to habitation and used exclusively by the owners of the property or their guests or tenants.

(c) “ Household income” for purpose of this section means all monies received by the owner or owners, the spouse of any owner and any other person over eighteen (18) years of age occupying the dwelling unit occupied by the owner or owners, from whatever source derived, including, but not limited to, capital gains, dividends, interest, wages, pensions, annuities, retirement and social security benefits, workers' compensation benefits, cash public assistance and relief and any and all other monies received.

(d) The ordinance providing for the tax freeze may provide rules for determining income, percentage increase in the tax rate, submission of proof of entitlement and any other terms and conditions as the city council deems appropriate to carry out the provisions of this section.