By state

Short-term rental taxes in Rhode Island

What you charge guests, who remits it, and what you have to hold.

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Five stacked layers of short-term rental rules. From the bottom: state, county, city, special districts, and HOA and CCRs. The state layer is marked, the one this page covers.

Step one of five

Rhode Island is the layer that never changes.

Everything on this page applies right across Rhode Island, wherever the property sits. That makes it the one part you can settle before you know the address.

The four layers above it are the ones that move: county, city, special purpose districts, then private rules like an HOA or a neighbourhood covenant that appear in no government database at all. Two properties on opposite sides of the same street can owe different totals.

Run your address for the other four

What Rhode Island charges statewide

These apply across Rhode Island. Counties and cities add their own on top, which is where the totals diverge.

TaxRateApplies toConfidence
Rhode Island Sales and Use TaxRhode Island Division of Taxation 7% All charges to the guest, including fees for cleaning. High Source
State Hotel TaxRhode Island Division of Taxation 5% All guest charges, including fees for cleaning or additional services. High Source

Drawn from the Rhode Island jurisdictions researched so far. These are the statewide figures only. Open a city below, or run your own address, for the county, city and district layers that stack on top.

Does the platform collect it for you

Only the state-level sales and hotel taxes are covered. Platform collection does not extend to any local city taxes.

ChannelWhat you chargeWho remits the state layerConfidence
AirbnbPlatform is merchant of record 7% state sales tax plus 5% state hotel tax, collected automatically The platform High Source
VrboYou are merchant of record 7% state sales tax plus 5% state hotel tax, collected and remitted by owner You do High Source
Booking.comYou are merchant of record 7% state sales tax plus 5% state hotel tax, collected and remitted by owner You do High Source
ExpediaYou are merchant of record 7% state sales tax plus 5% state hotel tax, collected and remitted by owner You do High Source
GoogleYou are merchant of record 7% state sales tax plus 5% state hotel tax, collected and remitted by owner You do High Source
WhimstayYou are merchant of record 7% state sales tax plus 5% state hotel tax, collected and remitted by owner You do High Source
DirectYou are merchant of record 7% state sales tax plus 5% state hotel tax, collected and remitted by owner You do High Source

Questions owners ask about Rhode Island

Does Airbnb collect and remit Rhode Island state taxes for me?

Yes, Airbnb collects and remits both Rhode Island state sales tax and state hotel tax on behalf of hosts for short-term bookings. You do not need to remit these state taxes on Airbnb bookings.

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What is the Rhode Island state lodging tax rate for short-term rentals?

Short-term rentals in Rhode Island are subject to 7% state sales tax and an additional 5% state hotel tax, for a total of 12% on all guest charges including cleaning fees.

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What is considered a short-term rental in Rhode Island?

A short-term rental in Rhode Island is a rental of less than 30 consecutive days. Stays of 30 days or more are not subject to state sales or hotel taxes.

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Do I need a state license or permit to operate a short-term rental in Rhode Island?

You must register for a Rhode Island sales tax permit before renting or listing your property for short-term stays. Registration is required even if you use a platform that collects and remits state taxes.

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How often are state tax returns due for a short-term rental in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island sales tax and hotel tax returns are due monthly, by the 20th of the month after the reporting period. Most filers must file electronically.

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Are cleaning fees taxable for short-term rentals in Rhode Island?

Yes, cleaning fees and any other charges to the guest are included in the taxable base for both the state sales tax and the state hotel tax.

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Are there exemptions to Rhode Island lodging taxes for short-term rentals?

Stays of 30 or more consecutive days are exempt from the state sales tax and hotel tax. Certain government and nonprofit guests may also be exempt with documentation.

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Do I need to file a return if I had no bookings for the month?

Yes, you must file a zero return for periods with no bookings. Failing to file can result in penalties even if no tax is due.

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What happens if I file my Rhode Island short-term rental tax return late?

Late filings incur a penalty of 10% of the tax owed with a $10 minimum, plus interest at the statutory rate until paid.

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Does the marketplace facilitator law cover city or local taxes in Rhode Island?

No, the law requires platforms to collect and remit only the state sales tax and state hotel tax. Any local city lodging taxes must still be handled separately by the operator if applicable.

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Already researched

Nothing in Rhode Island yet

No Rhode Island jurisdiction has been run. Start one and the page publishes itself, usually within a few minutes.

Run the first one

After the research

Setting the rates takes an afternoon. Running the property never stops.

The tax setup on this page is a one-time job, and you can do it yourself. Owners call us about everything underneath it.

The work How often
Channel tax settingsRates entered on each platform, direct included Once
Pricing against the marketRates moved as comps, events and pace change Daily
Guest messagingEnquiries, check-ins, problems at 2am 24/7
Listings and distributionContent, photos and settings across every channel Ongoing
Turnovers and coordinationCleans, maintenance, the gaps between stays Every checkout
Reviews and reputationFollow-up that earns the five star, disputes that do not Every stay

We run 300+ properties across 50+ cities and 7 countries, remotely, without standing in any of them. A property in Rhode Island is no harder for us to take on than one down the road from our last partner.

See how Corzly manages properties

We do not register, file or remit for you, and we are not tax professionals.

Rates and rules change. Confirm with the taxing authority before you rely on any figure here.