Second phase of R.I. Division of Taxation’s switch to integrated tax system scheduled

DAVID M. SULLIVAN, Rhode Island's tax administrator, said that the switch to a new agencywide computer system would limit some services temporarily. / COURTESY DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
DAVID M. SULLIVAN, Rhode Island's tax administrator, said that the switch to a new agencywide computer system would limit some services temporarily. / COURTESY DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

PROVIDENCE – The second part of the state Division of Taxation’s switch to a new agencywide computer system – an integrated tax system – will happen later this month, and while the agency will remain open for business during the changeover, some services will be limited or unavailable.

The state Department of Revenue issued a press release about the computer system changeover last week.
R.I. Tax Administrator David M. Sullivan said in a statement that the new system eventually will “save everyone time and give taxpayers and practitioners more tools and improved online access.”

“To get to that point, we must change over the old system to the new system. But to keep disruption to a minimum, we are doing the changeover gradually, in stages over time,” he said.

The second phase of the changeover will take place over six days, from Oct. 26 through Nov. 2. While the tax division office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., its usual hours, services that will be limited include issuing of letters
of good standing and releasing motor vehicle license blocks and motor vehicle registration blocks, along with some liens and levies.

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Requests to release estate tax liens will continue to be processed as usual, the release stated.

“We will remain open, we will be answering the phones, and we will continue to provide the kinds of services that are regularly used by the vast majority of taxpayers and practitioners,” Sullivan said. “However, we want to let everyone know now, well in advance, that certain services used by a limited number of taxpayers and practitioners will not be available during the six-day changeover.”

Services will resume full operation Nov. 3, he said. Sullivan said people should plan accordingly so that they are not adversely affected.

Said Sullivan, “If you’re blocked from renewing a driver’s license because you owe back taxes, you should pay the tax debt on or before Oct. 23.”

The first phase of the changeover was completed in summer 2014. That phase mostly involved moving account records and other information regarding bank, insurance and other tax types and fees from the old system to the new one.

The second phase features moving personal income tax, estate and trust income tax, and composite income tax data. Next year, the third and final phase will take place, involving a new website and taxpayer portal, and moving other taxes and fees, such as the corporate income tax and sales and use tax.

Approximately $25 million has been appropriated for the project.

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