Taylor Swift Is About to Owe $136,000 More Annually for Her Rhode Island Mansion
Taylor Swift’s Rhode Island home reflects her signature blend of luxury, comfort, and understated elegance. Nestled along the coast, the property offers sweeping ocean views, sprawling grounds, and a design that includes New England charm. Inside, the home features expansive living spaces, high ceilings, and a mix of airy, sunlit rooms. It’s the perfect getaway for both entertaining and private relaxation. Now, a tax hike, nicknamed the “Taylor Swift Tax,” means Swift will owe over $100,000 more on the property annually. Here’s why.
The ‘Taylor Swift Tax’ means a major tax hike for the pop queen on her Rhode Island mansion
Taylor Swift purchased her Rhode Island mansion, known as “High Watch,” in 2013 for $17.75 million in cash. Located in the exclusive Watch Hill neighborhood of Westerly, Rhode Island, the mansion was originally built in 1929. Notable figures, including socialite Rebekah Harkness, previously owned the estate. Swift has used the home as a retreat and venue for her famous July 4th parties. In 2025, she reportedly invested an additional $1.7 million to expand and renovate the property.
Now, it looks like Swift will owe a lot more for property tax on her Rhode Island home starting next year. The “Taylor Swift Tax,” officially known as Rhode Island’s Non-Owner-Occupied Property Tax Act, is set to take effect in July 2026. This legislation imposes an annual surcharge on residential properties valued at over $1 million that are not the owner’s primary residence and are unoccupied for more than half the year. The tax rate is $2.50 per $500 of assessed value above the first million. This law aims to generate revenue for affordable housing initiatives and encourage the use of vacant luxury homes.
While the tax does not specifically target Taylor Swift, her high-profile Watch Hill mansion has drawn attention to the policy. According to SheKnows, Swift already pays over $200,000 annually in property taxes. The new law means she’ll owe $337,442 — an increase of $136,000.
Brokers and potential buyers continue to express their frustrations over the “Taylor Swift Tax.”
“It’s a smack in the face to people who just spend money here,” Donna Krueger-Simmons, sales agent with Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, told CNBC.
