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RI proposes the 'Taylor Swift Tax'

Here in RI, our lawmakers are proposing 'The Taylor Swift Tax' (Official name: Non-Owner Occupied Property Tax Act.) for luxury second homes valued at over $1M, but the owner occupies for less than 183 days in one calendar year.

For every $500 over the $1M mark, there will be a $2.50 additional tax. In the past 12 years, Taylor Swift, Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno , and 'Judge' Judy Scheindlin have purchased homes way over the $1M mark (Swift bought her home in 2013 for $17M, and it is now assessed at $28M; Judge Judy bought her home five years ago for $9M). None of these celebrities spend more than six months here out of the year. (Comedian Matt Rife spent $3M on his RI home last summer, but says he plans to move here permanently once his extensive renovations are completed at the end of this year).

Proponents argue that wealthy, absentee owners contribute to driving up home prices and can leave properties vacant for much of the year. The tax revenue is intended to be used for expanding low-income tax credits and creating more affordable housing. As of June 2025, the tax proposal was part of a larger budget bill passed by the Rhode Island House and Senate, and is now awaiting the Governor's signature.

Maine is also considering a similar tax on secondary luxury homes.

by Anonymousreply 7July 4, 2025 10:21 PM

Good.

by Anonymousreply 1July 4, 2025 8:21 PM

Judge Judy will be pissed off.

by Anonymousreply 2July 4, 2025 8:24 PM

Isn't she always pissed off?

by Anonymousreply 3July 4, 2025 8:25 PM

Sadly, it’ll never be approved and the wealthy will find some clever workaround.

Technically absentee owners could cry, “taxation without representation”.

by Anonymousreply 4July 4, 2025 9:31 PM

Every state should do this.

by Anonymousreply 5July 4, 2025 10:11 PM

[quote] Judge Judy will be pissed off.

When is that cuntzilla NOT pissed off?

by Anonymousreply 6July 4, 2025 10:18 PM

Sounds fair

by Anonymousreply 7July 4, 2025 10:21 PM
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