Rhode Island Zapper & Sales Suppression Law
Rhode Island prohibits automated sales suppression devices.
- Citation
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-19-42
- Type
- A dedicated criminal statute squarely prohibiting automated sales suppression devices
- Penalty
- Felony; up to 5 yrs and/or $50,000
- Enacted
- 2014
Automated sales suppression software — commonly called a “zapper” or “phantomware” — alters the electronic records of a point-of-sale or electronic cash register system so that sales, and the tax collected on them, go unreported. Rhode Island addresses this conduct through a dedicated criminal statute squarely prohibiting automated sales suppression devices.
2017 amendment added 'remote data manipulation' (SSaaS/cloud coverage).
If you have received an audit notice, a reassessment, or an inquiry concerning suppression software in Rhode Island, the statute above is the provision most likely at issue. Confirm its current text before relying on it.
Facing a sales suppression allegation or a sales tax reassessment? We defend these matters. Email [email protected].
Reviewed July 2026 against primary sources. This page is a research aid, not legal advice.