State Income Tax: What's the Chance? (Lebanon, Hanover: low income, house, schools)

[Mustard]

We're moving to NH near the CT River. We could just as easily live in VT. We chose NH because no state income tax makes it cheaper for us to live there.

There are rumblings in the state legislature. Do you think NH will institute a state income tax within 5 years?

[WIMU]

Come hell or high water there will be no state income tax. Once the door is opened it will never stop. 2% the 3% then 4% whenever they need money they will raise it.

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by Mustard

We're moving to NH near the CT River. We could just as easily live in VT. We chose NH because no state income tax makes it cheaper for us to live there.

There are rumblings in the state legislature. Do you think NH will institute a state income tax within 5 years?

Oh man, I sure hope not! We left NYS for many reasons, but one of them was the state income tax. I hope WIMU is correct!

[Mustard]

Well, if they do institute a state income tax then we will be free to move to Vermont. Maybe the two states can just merge at some point then.

[doc1]

Don't do it. It will only get worse. Once your politicians get a taste of your easy money it'll be all she wrote. It's like a drug to them.

[nibseysgirl]

Originally Posted by Mustard

We're moving to NH near the CT River. We could just as easily live in VT. We chose NH because no state income tax makes it cheaper for us to live there.

There are rumblings in the state legislature. Do you think NH will institute a state income tax within 5 years?

Hey,
I lived in NH for many years...and I must say I am surprised they have not instituted a state tax already. I think it really is a matter of time...NH is still in a positon to be competive where the tax rate is concerned...Maine is 7-8% Mass is 5.5% I dont know what RI and Ct are ..but NH is a great state and although I am sure the tax will be hard to get used to I do feel that it is neccessary (especially since the whole school funding fiasco a few years back,....for the life of me I cant remember what its called..begins with a C) they have to do something to raise funds for the schools and services (throughout the state) without cutting services that are too valuable to cut...ex fire, police, schools. I know alot of ppl there and I honestly think the majority are ok with it as long as it isnt any higher than the neighboring states and doesnt burden the low income/srs etc ....there has to be a middle ground. I hope they find a reasonable solution without hurting the people and services that surely cant afford anymore...IMHO...Lisa

[Sporin]

They get you one way or the other, property taxes in NH are brutal.

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by Sporin

They get you one way or the other, property taxes in NH are brutal.

You think the property taxes are brutal? Must be all in what you are used to, or maybe where you are in New Hampshire? I know we were surprised at how low our taxes were when we bought our house and got the tax bill last month....But then we were used to the tax bills in NY.......

[Mustard]

There is no doubt that a small income tax would be just the start. As soon as politicians get a new source of revenue they will find "critical" reasons that the state absolutely must raise the taxes. Of course then businesses and residents will move back to Vermont, Mass, and Maine and the state economy will slow down causing the politicians to raise taxes higher to cover the same bloated government programs and infrastructure.

[Sporin]

Originally Posted by windchimes03561

You think the property taxes are brutal? Must be all in what you are used to, or maybe where you are in New Hampshire? I know we were surprised at how low our taxes were when we bought our house and got the tax bill last month....But then we were used to the tax bills in NY.......

Yup, it certainly varies by area. The NH towns in my area ("Upper Valley" Hanover, Lebanon, West Lebanon, etc.) are really high.