Rhode Island § 44-18-23 - Sales and Use Taxes — Liability and Computation

§ 44-18-23. “Engaging in business” defined.

As used in §§ 44-18-21 and 44-18-22 the term “engaging in business in this state” means the selling or delivering in this state, or any activity in this state related to the selling or delivering in this state of tangible personal property or prewritten computer software delivered electronically or by load and leave, or vendor-hosted prewritten computer software, or specified digital products, for storage, use, or other consumption in this state; or services as defined in § 44-18-7.3 in this state. This term includes, but is not limited to, the following acts or methods of transacting business:

(1) Maintaining, occupying, or using in this state permanently or temporarily, directly or indirectly or through a subsidiary, representative, or agent by whatever name called and whether or not qualified to do business in this state, any office, place of distribution, sales or sample room or place, warehouse or storage place, or other place of business;

(2) Having any subsidiary, representative, agent, salesperson, canvasser, or solicitor permanently or temporarily, and whether or not the subsidiary, representative, or agent is qualified to do business in this state, operate in this state for the purpose of selling, delivering, or the taking of orders for any tangible personal property, or prewritten computer software delivered electronically or by load and leave, or vendor-hosted prewritten computer software, or specified digital products, or services as defined in § 44-18-7.3;

(3) The regular or systematic solicitation of sales of tangible personal property, or prewritten computer software delivered electronically or by load and leave, or vendor-hosted prewritten computer software, or specified digital products, or services as defined in § 44-18-7.3, in this state by means of:

(i) Advertising in newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals published in this state, sold over the counter in this state or sold by subscription to residents of this state, billboards located in this state, airborne advertising messages produced or transported in the air space above this state, display cards and posters on common carriers or any other means of public conveyance incorporated or operating primarily in this state, brochures, catalogs, circulars, coupons, pamphlets, samples, and similar advertising material mailed to, or distributed within this state to residents of this state;

(ii) Telephone;

(iii) Computer-assisted shopping networks; and

(iv) Television, radio or any other electronic media, which is intended to be broadcast to consumers located in this state.