R.I. Division of Taxation computer system upgrade slated to begin Nov. 7

PROVIDENCE – The third and final phase of the R.I. Division of Taxation’s computer-system-modernization project will begin Nov. 7.

Acting Tax Administrator Neena S. Savage said the new, agencywide computer system will “eventually save everyone time and give taxpayers and tax 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,” she said in a statement.

The conversion will take place from Nov. 7-14.

- Advertisement -

The Division of Taxation will remain open to the public during this time. In addition, payments will be received and electronically filed tax returns will be accepted. The division’s website and email system also will remain functional.

Some services will be unavailable, however. Letters of good standing will not be issued, and the division will not be able to release to municipalities any motor vehicle license blocks and motor vehicle registration blocks regarding unpaid bills. Taxpayer account balances also will not be able to be checked. All services will resume Nov. 15, and state officials encourage taxpayers and tax professionals to plan ahead for this period.

The changeover process that starts Nov. 7 includes migrating the corporate income tax, sales and use tax, and certain other tax types to the new, integrated, computer system known as the State Tax Administration and Revenue System, or STAARS.

The multiyear STAARS project is the result of a $25 million appropriation approved in 2012 by the R.I. General Assembly.

“When complete, the computer system modernization project will bring with it a number of benefits, including faster returns processing and quicker response times for taxpayer inquiries,” R.I. Department of Revenue Director Robert S. Hull said. “I am happy to report that the modernization project is both on time and on budget.”
The first phase of the project was completed in summer 2014, with the second phase finished in fall 2015.

No posts to display