On June 24, 2020, the Governor of
Rhode Island signed into law S2650 Substitute A, which expands the state’s sales tax base to computer software and specified digital products (streaming entertainment services), including digital audio-visual works, digital audio works, and digital books. The law also clarifies the definition of the “end-user” of a digital product in order to comply with the Streamlined
Sales & Use Tax Agreement. The act is immediately effective. The law is designed to avoid sanctions by a state compact working toward sales tax harmonization. The tax is only on sales to end-users and is imposed regardless of whether the right to use the specified digital products is on a permanent or less than permanent basis and whether the purchaser must make continued payments for such right.
