280-RICR-20-70-34
280-RICR-20-70-34. Telecommunications Service (version Periodic Refile, 12/20/2001 to 01/01/2003)
State of Rhode Island - Division of Taxation
Sales and Use Tax
Regulation SU 00-129
Telecommunications Service
"Telecommunications service" means the transmission of any interactive electromagnetic
communications including but not limited to voice, image, data and other information, by means
of but not limited to wire, cable, including fiber optical cable, microwave, radio wave or any
combinations of these media. "Telecommunications service" includes local exchange service,
intrastate toll service, interstate and international toll service, including cellular mobile telephone
or telecommunications service, specialized mobile radio and pagers and paging service including
any form of mobile two-way communication. Telecommunication service does not include
service rendered using a prepaid telephone calling arrangement. "Prepaid telephone calling
arrangement" means and includes a prepaid telephone calling card and/or the right to exclusively
purchase telecommuncations services, that must be paid for in advance, that enables the
origination of calls using an access number and/or authorization code, whether manually or
electronically dialed.
The furnishing for a consideration of telecommunications services and the furnishing, rental or
leasing of all equipment and all services pertaining or incidental thereto are subject to the Rhode
Island sales or use tax provided the service:
1. is rendered in its entirety within this state, or
2. originates in this state and terminates in another state or a foreign country and with
respect to which such service is charged to a telephone number, customer or account
located in this state or to the account of any transmission instrument in this state, or
3. originates in another state or a foreign country and terminates in this state and is charged
to a telephone number, customer or account located in this state at which such service is
terminated, or to the account of any transmission instrument in this state at which such
service is terminated.
The Rhode Island tax liability of interstate and international toll service originating or
terminating in this state is determined by the location of the telephone number, account or
customer to which the telecommunications service is charged regardless of the location of the
billing and/or payment.
For purposes of this regulation, the phrase "charged to a telephone number, customer or account
located in this state" shall mean the location of the transmission instrument at which such
telecommunication service either originates or terminates.
Rhode Island law allows a credit or refund of sales taxes upon presentation of proof of payment
of the sales tax to another state to which the tax was properly due for the identical
telecommunication service.
R. GARY CLARK
TAX ADMINISTRATOR
EFFECTIVE: January 1, 2000
THIS REGULATION AMENDS AND SUPERCEDES REGULATION SU 89-129
PROMULGATED DECEMBER 31, 1989.