Rhode Island · RI · Money & taxes

Rhode Island: Are groceries taxed?

Groceries exempt

Rhode Island exempts food and food ingredients from its 7% sales tax.

The exemption covers food and food ingredients as state law defines them. Candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements, alcohol, vending machine food and most prepared food are left out and stay taxable.

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What the law says

There are exempted from the taxes imposed by this chapter the following gross receipts: ... (9) Food and food ingredients. From the sale and storage, use, or other consumption in this state of food and food ingredients as defined in § 44-18-7.1(l).

R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-18-30(9)

Sources

R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-18-30(9) Official · webserver.rilegislature.gov
R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-18-18 Official · webserver.rilegislature.gov

Confirm with the state

Agency: Rhode Island Division of Taxation
Website: tax.ri.gov

How bordering states compare

Connecticut Groceries exemptConnecticut exempts food products for human consumption from its 6.35% sales tax; meals are taxed at 7.35%.
Massachusetts Groceries exemptMassachusetts exempts food bought for home consumption from its 6.25% sales tax.

Last verified Oct 22, 2026 · Confidence: High · How we research · Report an error

High confidence: an official source names this explicitly, and the quote above shows it.

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