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FY 2026 residential rate · Newport County, RI
Portsmouth property tax rate
Portsmouth's FY 2026 residential rate is $13.28 per $1,000 of assessed value. A property assessed at $300,000 owes $3,984.00 for the year. That ranks 15th highest of Rhode Island's 38 municipalities, above the middle, $0.73 per $1,000 above the $12.55 per $1,000 state median.
- 1Residential rate $13.28 per $1,000
- 2Bill on $300,000 assessed $3,984.00
Your Portsmouth tax bill
The bill before exemptions and credits. Compare every Rhode Island rate.
Portsmouth's rates by class of property
Rhode Island lets each city and town tax classes of property at different rates. Portsmouth charges residential and commercial real estate the same $13.28 per $1,000. Tangible personal property, such as business equipment, pays $15.65, the 23rd highest personal property rate of the 38 municipalities ranked here. 21 of the 38 set a commercial rate above their residential rate.
Tax on common assessed values in Portsmouth
| Assessed value | FY 2026 bill | Versus RI median rate |
|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $2,656.00 | +$146.00 |
| $300,000 | $3,984.00 | +$219.00 |
| $400,000 | $5,312.00 | +$292.00 |
| $500,000 | $6,640.00 | +$365.00 |
| $750,000 | $9,960.00 | +$547.50 |
Each bill is the assessed value divided by 1,000 and multiplied by $13.28, before exemptions, credits or special charges. These are assessed values, not sale prices. The last column is the difference from the same assessment at the $12.55 per $1,000 state median.
How Portsmouth compares in Newport County and Rhode Island
Among the 6 municipalities in Newport County, Portsmouth ranks 1st highest; the county median is $8.88 per $1,000, so Portsmouth sits $4.40 per $1,000 above it. No municipality in the county has a higher rate, and the next lower is Tiverton at $11.33. Statewide, 60% of municipalities have a lower residential rate than Portsmouth.
Outside Newport County, the closest rates are Central Falls ($13.21, Providence), Pawtucket ($13.15, Providence), East Providence ($13.07, Providence), Lincoln ($13.52, Providence). A rate compares bills fairly only between towns whose assessments sit at a similar share of market value.
Appealing a Portsmouth assessment
A Portsmouth owner appeals first to the local tax assessor, on the state-approved form, on or before November 15 and not less than 90 days after the first tax payment is due (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-5-26(a)). The assessor has until December 31 to decide; the next step is the local tax board of review within 30 days of the decision, or by January 31 when there is none, and after that a petition to the Superior Court within 30 days of the board's decision (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 44-5-26, 44-5-27). Each $10,000 of residential assessment costs $132.80 a year at Portsmouth's rate.
The Rhode Island appeal page sets out each step with its source. This is a summary of the published procedure, not legal advice.
Portsmouth property tax questions
What is the property tax rate in Portsmouth, RI?
Portsmouth's FY 2026 residential rate is $13.28 per $1,000 of assessed value. Source: Rhode Island Division of Municipal Finance.
How much is the property tax on a $300,000 assessment in Portsmouth?
$300,000 ÷ 1,000 × $13.28 = $3,984.00 a year, before exemptions and credits.
Is Portsmouth's tax rate high for Rhode Island?
It ranks 15th highest of 38, above the middle of Rhode Island municipalities; the median is $12.55 per $1,000.
How do I appeal a Portsmouth property assessment?
Appeal to the local tax assessor: by November 15 (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-5-26(a)). Then: assessor's decision (December 31); appeal to the local tax board of review (30 days after the decision, or January 31); petition to the superior court (30 days after the board's decision).
Source: Rhode Island Division of Municipal Finance, FY 2026 Rhode Island Tax Rates by Class of Property (assessment date December 31, 2024; tax roll year 2025); county and 2020 population from Wikipedia, List of municipalities in Rhode Island . Appeal steps: R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-5-26, Petition in superior court for relief from assessment. Last checked October 21, 2026. This page explains published figures; it is not tax or legal advice.