Personal property tax on cars in Maine (sales, renters)

[maine4.us]

On a new car, the excise tax and registration can be well over $600. That is a lot, but as several people have commented, that tax stays in your town. These are the guys who plow, patch, grade, and maintain all the city streets. So, while I am not happy about paying the tax, I do not grouch at the city employees who take my money.

Now property taxes are another thing. They keep inching up, while the budget generally gets trimmed. Strange accounting principals....

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by maine4.us

Now property taxes are another thing. They keep inching up, while the budget generally gets trimmed. Strange accounting principals....

Inflation is a *****, eh?

[retiredtinbender]

Originally Posted by maine4.us

On a new car, the excise tax and registration can be well over $600. That is a lot, but as several people have commented, that tax stays in your town. These are the guys who plow, patch, grade, and maintain all the city streets. So, while I am not happy about paying the tax, I do not grouch at the city employees who take my money.

Now property taxes are another thing. They keep inching up, while the budget generally gets trimmed. Strange accounting principals....

Towns are too used to sucking off the government teat. When the gov't cuts back to lower state taxes it generally hits town hard. So the towns trim their own budgets (including schools) but to no avail. Town taxes have to go up because we all want the same services we maintained in the good times and we have to pay for them somehow. But the state/fed look good because theirt taxes went down because of cutting back or out funding to the towns. But it's our own fault for depending on the undependable. Just my opinion.

[RiverBird]

Related subject...what is auto insurance like in Maine, in general? Can anyone compare the cost to Mass.?

[tatans]

PROPERTY TAX ? PROPERTY? THE KEY WORD HERE IS PROPERTY, property is what you live on (in) maybe they think you live in your car(maybe you do) this is the most insane tax I have ever heard of, who thinks this stuff up (guess who?)

[mainegrl2011]

Here's an excise tax estimator for Ellsworth, Maine City of Ellsworth, Maine - Excise Tax Estimator

Some states call it excise tax and some call it personal property tax. Land and houses are real property. Does anyone really like taxes? but...if excise tax helps Maine cities and towns take care of the roads, ...they need to be plowed in the winter and repaired in the summer.

Maybe these real and personal property definitions/explanation will help What is property? definition and meaning

I haven't specifically looked at the Mass. and ME car insurance rates, but I'll take a guess and say Maine has cheaper rates...fewer people....fewer cars on the roads....lack of no fault insurance. If you really want to know, go online to an insurance company that serves both Maine and MA and get a quote based on particular towns/cities/ZIP Codes. Maybe one of these links will help you find some answers. State Farm - Car Insurance Quotes - Save on Auto Insurance Auto Insurance Quotes - Car Insurance | Allstate Online Quote

[gcberry]

I have no problem going through our rural town office to register a vehicle, but just curious if you can save money by going through the MVA Augusta directly.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by tatans

PROPERTY TAX ? PROPERTY? THE KEY WORD HERE IS PROPERTY, property is what you live on (in) maybe they think you live in your car(maybe you do) this is the most insane tax I have ever heard of, who thinks this stuff up (guess who?)

Property is not limited to land or house. Property is everything owned. So yes, it is the key word - but you've narrowed the definition incorrectly.

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

Related subject...what is auto insurance like in Maine, in general? Can anyone compare the cost to Mass.?

Liability only (no comprehensive) with increased limits ($100k/$300k) is costing me just under $400/yr on two vehicles...about half of what it was costing me in MA. MC liability (with increased limits) is costing me about $100/yr on 2 bikes, about a quarter of what it was costing me in MA.

Originally Posted by gcberry

I have no problem going through our rural town office to register a vehicle, but just curious if you can save money by going through the MVA Augusta directly.

You'll save the $2 agent fee that the town clerks charge. Is that worth the gas and time you'll spend waiting?

[MainetoNorthCarolina]

"Property" tax exists in almost all states. It refers to personal property, i.e. major items that you own that generally must be registered or licensed. Look up the definition of the word "property." It's more than just "Real Estate."