Chama, NM Jobs (Los Alamos, Taos, Dulce: transplants, to rent, house)

[debbie at bouontiful]

There is a small airport in Chama. I think it is private though.

As far as grocery prices, I was quite happy with the prices last month while visiting. I guess compared to Eastern Ok they seemed less plus no food tax really is a plus in my book.

[Poncho_NM]

There are two "Private use only" airports in Chama, NM:

NM16 - CHAMA LAND & CATTLE CO.

NM24 - EASTSIDE

My wife and I are both pilots. We both agree that trying to give flight lessons in Chama would most likely be a money losing venture... (What's the phrase, "been there, done that')


Rich

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by debbie at bouontiful

I guess compared to Eastern Ok they seemed less plus no food tax really is a plus in my book.

That really isn't true. New Mexico levies a Gross Receipts Tax on the seller of any tangible personal property, including food (gross receipts tax also applies to many services, as well). It is the option of the seller whether to pass that tax on to the purchaser of the product as a separate item on the invoice or to include it in the retail sale price. Most businesses do itemize it on the sales receipt, but some do not. Chama has one of the higher gross receipts tax rates in New Mexico (8.1875%), a sore point with a lot of the retailers there.

Info here: Gross Receipts Tax

Rates here:

http://www.tax.newmexico.gov/SiteCol...t-trt-july.pdf

[joqua]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

That really isn't true. New Mexico levies a Gross Receipts Tax on the seller of any tangible personal property, including food...

You are mistaken about food being taxed, unless you're referring to prepared food sold on premises. Groceries have been exempt for several years now. One of the few positive things I can attribute to the Richardson era.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by joqua

You are mistaken about food being taxed, unless you're referring to prepared food sold on premises. Groceries have been exempt for several years now. One of the few positive things I can attribute to the Richardson era.

I stand corrected. Wyoming also exempted grocery store food sales from sales tax about the same time. It was a popular thing to do when the economy was still robust and tax revenues growing. Now, I believe it is getting some rethinking, as revenues stagnate.

At least New Mexico does not have the hodge-podge of sales tax law that Colorado does. In Colorado, while the state exempts grocery store food sales from tax, it is up to county and city option as to whether food is exempted or not from local sales tax. So, one town or county may exempt food, and the one down the road does not.

I do know that some of my friends who live in Chama regularly do their grocery shopping in Pagosa Springs, Colorado because they claim food prices at the City Market stores there are generally lower than those at the Lowe's in Chama (Archuleta County Colorado does charge a 4% sales tax on food, though).

[GregW]

Even tax happy Massachusetts does not tax groceries or clothing less than $200. Ironically, Tax free New Hampshire does tax prepared foods and resturant meals. I think taxing food and clothing is completely improper. If you must have a sales tax place it on the items people do not need but want.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Everything here is taxed. Drives me nuts, restaurants, food just anything that isn't under the table I guess is at 9percent.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by debbie at bouontiful

Everything here is taxed. Drives me nuts, restaurants, food just anything that isn't under the table I guess is at 9percent.

Still, Oklahoma's total tax burden on its residents is fairly low compared to most other states. If you want a tax haven for individual citizens, Wyoming is about the best in the lower 48 states. No income tax, one of the lowest effective tax rates on residential property, and a moderate sales tax with grocery food exempt. About the only tax that is high for individual citizens in Wyoming is vehicle licensing and registration. Another relatively low citizen tax burden state is South Dakota, which has middling property taxes, but low vehicle registration and licensing taxes, moderate sales taxes, and no personal income tax.

New Mexico's overall taxes, like neighboring Colorado's, are fairly middling. New Mexico's income tax used to be highly graduated--if you were low-income, it was great, but if you earned anything from a middle-class income or above, it was pretty steep. Those rates have been flattened out quite a bit over the years, though. New Mexico's residential property taxes are very reasonable. Vehicle taxes and registration fees are cheap, but auto insurance rates in New Mexico are pretty high, due to the number of uninsured motorists running around the state--that negates most of the auto registration cost advantage New Mexico has over most other states. The high tax in New Mexico is that gross receipts tax--the rate is pretty high most places and it applies to both goods AND services.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Having a hard time figuring property taxes in both NM and CO. Do you know what percent to figure. When I lived in IL for example one would pay 2000 per 100 thousand home (or about) in OK it would be less than 1000 per 100thousand dollar home. Understanding school and such make a difference, is there a rouond about per every 100thousands on a home?

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by debbie at bouontiful

Having a hard time figuring property taxes in both NM and CO. Do you know what percent to figure. When I lived in IL for example one would pay 2000 per 100 thousand home (or about) in OK it would be less than 1000 per 100thousand dollar home. Understanding school and such make a difference, is there a rouond about per every 100thousands on a home?

A general guide for New Mexico is here Retirement Living - Taxes by State: Kansas - New Mexico and it can vary from county to county. You can look up other states also on this same site:

Property Taxes
All property, whether real or personal, is subject to state and local property taxes. Rates vary substantially and depend on property type and location. The statewide weighted average rates, i.e., total obligations/total net taxable value, are about $26.47 for residential property. Assessors usually determine market value by the sales-comparison approach which matches a property's value to that of similar properties. The valuation of a residence that did not change hands in the prior year may not increase by more than 3% annually. One-third of the property's market value (assessment) is its taxable value. The taxable value may be further reduced by exemptions of $2,000 each of heads of house holds and $4,000 for veterans. There is a property tax rebate for residents age 65 and older. Their modified gross income cannot exceed $18,000 for the tax year and they cannot have been claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer's return. Homeowners 65 and older who earn $18,000 ($25,000 in Sandoval County) or less are eligible for a credit of up to $250 (married filing jointly) or $125 for single taxpayers. Call 505-827-0870 for details.

Here is a good New Mexico example: http://www.donaanacounty.org/assessor/taxrates/


Rich