Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 44-20 - Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Tax
Section 44-20-20. - Use of metering machine in lieu of stamps.

§ 44-20-20. Use of metering machine in lieu of stamps.
The tax administrator, if he or she determines that it is practicable to stamp by impression packages of cigarettes by means of a metering machine, may, in lieu of selling stamps under the provisions of § 44-20-19, authorize any licensed distributor to use any metering machine approved by the administrator; provided, that such meter impressions shall contain a number or mark, legible at the point of sale, that is unique to the particular distributor; and provided, further, that the metering machine shall be sealed by the administrator before being used and shall be used in accordance with regulations prescribed by the administrator. The administrator shall keep records of which distributor is assigned which meter impression number. Any licensed distributor authorized by the tax administrator to affix stamps to packages by means of a metering machine shall make a prepayment, allowing for the discount, if any, provided for in § 44-20-19, covering the amount of tax for which his or her meter register is set, or in the discretion of the tax administrator file with the tax administrator a bond in an amount and with a surety as the tax administrator may determine, conditioned upon the payment of the tax upon stamped cigarettes. The bond shall be in full force and effect for a period of one year and a day after the expiration of the bond, unless a certificate is issued by the tax administrator to the effect that all taxes due to the state have been paid. The tax administrator shall cause each metering machine approved by the tax administrator to be read and inspected at least once a month and, unless being used on a prepayment basis, shall determine at the time of each inspection the amount of tax due from the distributor using the machine after allowing for the discount, if any, provided for in § 44-20-19, which tax is due and payable upon demand of the tax administrator or his or her authorized agent.
History of Section.P.L. 1939, ch. 663, § 8; impl. am. P.L. 1940, ch. 875, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-20-20; P.L. 2007, ch. 246, § 3; P.L. 2007, ch. 250, § 3.

Structure Rhode Island General Laws

Rhode Island General Laws

Title 44 - Taxation

Chapter 44-20 - Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Tax

Section 44-20-1. - Definitions.

Section 44-20-2. - Importer, distributor, and dealer licenses required — Licenses required.

Section 44-20-3. - Penalties for unlicensed business.

Section 44-20-4. - Application for license — Display.

Section 44-20-4.1. - License availability.

Section 44-20-5. - Duration of importer’s and dealer’s licenses — Renewal.

Section 44-20-6. - Expiration and renewal of distributors’ licenses.

Section 44-20-7. - Vending machine markers.

Section 44-20-8. - Suspension or revocation of license.

Section 44-20-8.1. - Maintenance and publication of list of licenses.

Section 44-20-8.2. - Transactions only with licensed manufacturers, importers, distributors, and dealers.

Section 44-20-9 - — 44-20-11. Repealed.

Section 44-20-12. - Tax imposed on cigarettes sold.

Section 44-20-12.1. - Floor stock tax on cigarettes and stamps.

Section 44-20-12.2. - Prohibited acts — Penalty.

Section 44-20-12.3. - Floor stock tax on cigarettes and stamps.

Section 44-20-12.4. - Floor stock tax on cigarettes and stamps.

Section 44-20-12.5. - Floor stock tax on cigarettes and stamps.

Section 44-20-12.6. - Floor stock tax on cigarettes and stamps.

Section 44-20-13. - Tax imposed on unstamped cigarettes.

Section 44-20-13.1. - Repealed.

Section 44-20-13.2. - Tax imposed on other tobacco products, smokeless tobacco, cigars, and pipe tobacco products.

Section 44-20-13.3, 44-20-13.4. - Repealed.

Section 44-20-13.5. - Violations as to reports and records.

Section 44-20-14. - Return and payment of use tax.

Section 44-20-15. - Confiscation of contraband cigarettes, other tobacco products, and other property.

Section 44-20-16. - Exemptions from use tax.

Section 44-20-16.1. - Repealed.

Section 44-20-17. - Penalty for use tax violations.

Section 44-20-18. - Securing stamps.

Section 44-20-19. - Sales of stamps to distributors.

Section 44-20-20. - Use of metering machine in lieu of stamps.

Section 44-20-21. - Transfer of stamps prohibited — Redemption of unused stamps.

Section 44-20-22. - Reimbursement for mutilated and other stamps — Claims.

Section 44-20-23. - Payment of tax by manufacturer or shipper outside state.

Section 44-20-24. - Affixing of stamps outside state by vending machine operator.

Section 44-20-25. - Bond of nonresident authorized to pay tax.

Section 44-20-26. - Agreement by nonresident to submit records — Attorney to receive process.

Section 44-20-27. - Repealed.

Section 44-20-28. - Stamping by distributors required.

Section 44-20-28.1. - Noncompliance with tobacco manufacturer’s escrow fund — Penalties.

Section 44-20-29. - Repealed.

Section 44-20-30. - Manner of affixing stamps.

Section 44-20-31. - Packages in which cigarettes sold — Sample packages.

Section 44-20-32. - Cancellation of used stamps.

Section 44-20-33. - Sale of contraband cigarettes or contraband other tobacco products prohibited.

Section 44-20-33.1. - Transportation of unstamped cigarettes.

Section 44-20-34. - Display of stamps in vending machines.

Section 44-20-35. - Penalties for violations as to unstamped contraband cigarettes or contraband other tobacco products.

Section 44-20-36. - Possession of unstamped cigarettes.

Section 44-20-37. - Seizure and destruction of unstamped cigarettes.

Section 44-20-38. - Hearing on cigarettes seized.

Section 44-20-39. - Forgery and counterfeiting — Tampering with meters — Reuse of stamps or containers.

Section 44-20-40. - Records — Investigation and inspection of books, premises and stock.

Section 44-20-40.1. - Inspections.

Section 44-20-41. - Monthly reports of distributors and dealers.

Section 44-20-42. - Reports and records of carriers, bailees and warehouse persons.

Section 44-20-43. - Violations as to reports and records.

Section 44-20-44. - Declarations under penalty of perjury.

Section 44-20-45. - Importation of cigarettes and/or other tobacco products with intent to evade tax.

Section 44-20-46. - Witnesses before tax administrator.

Section 44-20-47. - Hearings by tax administrator.

Section 44-20-48. - Appeal to district court.

Section 44-20-49. - Disposition of revenue — Payment of refunds.

Section 44-20-50. - Administration — Forms — Rules and regulations.

Section 44-20-51. - Penalty for violations generally.

Section 44-20-51.1. - Civil penalties.

Section 44-20-51.2. - Criminal penalty for fraudulent offenses.

Section 44-20-51.3. - Counterfeit cigarettes.

Section 44-20-52. - Exercise of powers and duties.

Section 44-20-53. - Direct tax on consumer.

Section 44-20-54. - Taxes and fees as debt to state.

Section 44-20-55. - Severability.

Section 44-20-56 - — 44-20-58. Repealed.