Stay away from Maine???
- Thread starter MikeOH58
- Start date
beechpilot
Well-Known Member
Just when I think the government up here can't do anything more stupid they do. I think they are being very ignornant to the fact that aviation is a great thing for the state with the tourists it brings and the money it brings in especially in the summer. Maine's economy hinges on summer tourism and by implementing this form of taxation, they will drive some away. Incredible......
jynxyjoe
Queso King
Just when I think the government up here can't do anything more stupid they do. I think they are being very ignornant to the fact that aviation is a great thing for the state with the tourists it brings and the money it brings in especially in the summer. Maine's economy hinges on summer tourism and by implementing this form of taxation, they will drive some away. Incredible......
Lol, would you LEAVE that place Andy. That state is a sinking ship.
Acadia
Well-Known Member
The tax only impacts aircraft that visit the state for more than 20 days during the first year of ownership.
This targets the wealthy seasonal residents who live here half the year but keep their 20 million dollar yacht documented in the Cayman Islands, and though their new jet (or jets in some cases) is in Maine more than half the year they pay no taxes on it here. I agree that the tax is a bit wacky, but it will not impact 99% of GA owners flying to Maine.
This targets the wealthy seasonal residents who live here half the year but keep their 20 million dollar yacht documented in the Cayman Islands, and though their new jet (or jets in some cases) is in Maine more than half the year they pay no taxes on it here. I agree that the tax is a bit wacky, but it will not impact 99% of GA owners flying to Maine.
Acadia
Well-Known Member
ASpilot2be
Qbicle seat warmer
Acadia
Well-Known Member
Alaska is better
I agree! I just wish that all of the silly summer tourists would figure it out.
Am I reading this right? If I owned a plane and vacationed there for over 20 days, they are going to charge me 5 percent of the value of my airplane? Just how do you determine that? The value deppreciates over time. That is absolute robbery. That is absolutley an unreasonable charge. Even for a small Cessna you could be looking at several thousand dollars. The average small plan owner can't afford that. And Florida charging that too? I don't see how that's legal or how they can enforce that. This is really something that needs to make it to the Supreme Court. This is absolute robbery.
OldTownPilot
Well-Known Member
Baldacci is a DOUC...... I'll refrain in fear of being taxed out of existence.
Its only if your airplane is within the first year of ownership.
Fly VFR
Its only if your airplane is within the first year of ownership.
Fly VFR
Acadia
Well-Known Member
Yes if the aircraft spends a total of 20 days here during the first year of ownership. The amount is 5% of the aircrafts value, less whatever amount of sales tax already paid in the home state. Not nearly as much as you are thinking it would be.
This is not much different than states that require you to register your car and pay excise tax if your car is their for longer than a certain amount of time.
Acadia
Well-Known Member
The income tax rate for middle and lower class citizens in Maine is better than the majority of states, and property taxes are generally low unless you own waterfront.
OldTownPilot
Well-Known Member
......That actually have income taxes.
Maine has one of the (if not THE) highest tax burdens in the country. Its not just the income and property taxes. As Mitt Romney said "I just raises some fees" Fees are taxes too genius.
JaceTheAce
Well-Known Member
Those darn rich GA pilots and their Cessnas! They should be able to afford that tax!
jynxyjoe
Queso King
I lived in Maine for about a year and a half. Everyone's claim in America is that they are middle class, but with that said, the state and its middle class are dying. The only bright spot is Portland... all 60,000 of them. If you are already rich or have a well paying job in another state, and like the cold and bitter people, Maine is your playground. I'd just rather live where average folks are happy, working, and well paid. Of course i did live in Augusta so that colors a LOT of my perspective.
Acadia
Well-Known Member
There are only 8 or so states that have no income taxes. Maine has a rate of 2.0% to 8.5%. Granted the high end is in the top group of states, but unless you are making over $100k a year in Maine you are likely paying at level on par with the majority of the country Our sales taxes is 5% which is average.
You were just saying that you were worried about being taxed out of existence and I was wondering where that was happening. What taxes or fees are you being hammered with in your daily life or that impact your flight training? I will wager that the biggest impact Maine's high tax burden has on you is providing you with a very low instate tuition to the UMaine university system.
Acadia
Well-Known Member
therookie
New Member
At first glace this seemed pretty outrageous to me, buying and living in one spot and being taxed in another. But on further thinking maybe this is more reasonable than it appears.
Background Story: I grew up in a very rural area (and very beautiful.) My school had around 20 to 30 kids per grade and that was over a 50 mile radius. However, any proposed school levy was shot down by...snowbirds living in AZ 90% of the year but registering to vote in my hometown.
Maybe apples and oranges but this could actually be a fair-ish idea (as far as taxing can ever be).
Just a thought
Background Story: I grew up in a very rural area (and very beautiful.) My school had around 20 to 30 kids per grade and that was over a 50 mile radius. However, any proposed school levy was shot down by...snowbirds living in AZ 90% of the year but registering to vote in my hometown.
Maybe apples and oranges but this could actually be a fair-ish idea (as far as taxing can ever be).
Just a thought