Business Owners Charged for Electricity Tax by Mistake to be Refunded

National Grid business customers who have been erroneously charged a seven percent tax that was eliminated by the Rhode Island General Assembly this past legislative session should be expecting refunds.

Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) said that he was contacted by a business owner who noticed that there was still a seven percent tax in the breakdown of his July electric bill.

“In response, Senate staff reached out to National Grid. The company said that it had made an error in continuing to calculate the tax after its repeal date. They said they would correct this oversight.”

The tax was eliminated on July 1 and National Grid should have pro-rated any bills that were part June and part-July, Sheehan said.

National Grid apparently made errors in “many business bills” and are now promising refunds.

“I am pleased that we could assist my constituent,” said Senator Sheehan, “but more importantly, I want to thank National Grid for their prompt attention to this oversight and remedying it for the many businesses that may have been affected.”

Senator Sheehan urges any business-owning National grid customers to double-check their bills to make sure they are no longer being taxed, and that they get refunded for any accidental oversights.