Maine taxes not as bad as reputed (Augusta, Denmark: property taxes, vacation)

[Mark S.]

AUGUSTA — Maine has gone literally overnight from being ranked as one of the highest-taxed states in the country to number 15 thanks to the high percentage of second homes owned by out-of-state residents, who pay property taxes here.

The national Tax Foundation released a report last week that recalculates tax burden as a percentage of income going back years, adding in more detailed information about states that "export" their taxes to visitors.


Full article at:

The Times Record News (broken link)

[Labamba]

Hear ye, hear ye: Maine's Relative Tax Burden re-stated

[Bydand]

Isn't this about the 3rd or 4th posts about this study?

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Baloney to the writer of the article, not Mark S. The only reason that we have a "high percentage of second homes owned by out-of-state residents" is that these are our kids who left to find work. Our kids must buy non-resident hunting and fishing licenses, pay more to apply for moose permits and live in some undesirable place to save up enough to come home. I know; I did it myself for 7 years. The old saying goes, "You have to go where it sux to make the big bucks."

It wasn't worth it. We came home.

[forest beekeeper]

"Tax Burden" is made up of so much smoke and mirrors; anyone can twist the stats to force them to say anything that you wish them to say.

[msina]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

"Tax Burden" is made up of so much smoke and mirrors; anyone can twist the stats to force them to say anything that you wish them to say.

As you have pointed out, everything is subjective. Guess that's a good example right there, eh?

[flycessna]

Baldalcci is trying to lower our income taxes. I still feel the need is property taxes...but that is a quasi state and local issue. right now my property taxes are about 10% of my total income ...of course I am aware that there are lower taxed (property) towns available too me...but I like living in a larger town with neighborhoods.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

The only reason that we have a "high percentage of second homes owned by out-of-state residents" is that these are our kids who left to find work.

That may well be the case up north. Farther south, most of the second homes are owned by folks from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Connecticut, New Jersey, etc. In other words, they are second homes for wealthy vacationers. Nothing wrong with that, but I don't really have a problem with the wealthy paying more in taxes than the lower and middle classes.

[dmyankee]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

That may well be the case up north. Farther south, most of the second homes are owned by folks from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Connecticut, New Jersey, etc. In other words, they are second homes for wealthy vacationers. Nothing wrong with that, but I don't really have a problem with the wealthy paying more in taxes than the lower and middle classes.

If Maine would just stop loading up the wagon with freeloaders, we wagon pullers might just stand a chance at one of those second homes!

[flycessna]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

That may well be the case up north. Farther south, most of the second homes are owned by folks from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Connecticut, New Jersey, etc. In other words, they are second homes for wealthy vacationers. Nothing wrong with that, but I don't really have a problem with the wealthy paying more in taxes than the lower and middle classes.

My parents bought a 2nd home up here 1977. They are well off....mainly because my dad worked 60+ hours a week for 30 years driving a truck and mom also worked....both saved vigorously all of their lives and always paid cash.....even when they bought their camp for 15k in Denmark. Only one of the 10 camps on our end of the lake was owned by a Mainer......all of the camps had been same/owner since 1977....and the wealthiest was the person from Maine (cape Elizabeth).

However....since the taxes doubled several years ago 3 camps have sold and one more is on the market......2 out of the 3 were bought by Maine residence. I see two things......one, the people from out of state didn't like paying the ridicules taxes when they use no services and two, and there are plenty of Maine residence who can afford lake front property.

Though it may be true that there are many "wealthy" out of stators who own lake front property......it is hardly the reason why we have higher taxes and is only a small part of the reason why lake front property is so expensive.

The idea that Maine can just outsource its taxes on wealthy out of stators is really not a good one. They always have the option of spending their money in another state.