How bad are the taxes in Maine (Bangor, Caribou: 2013, health insurance)

[Linda_d]

Originally Posted by Submariner

From our experience, our taxes dropped significantly when we moved to Maine.

How your taxes will change will be largely up to you. If you lived in a high tax area before, where you go in Maine, and how you live once your here.

Generations old tribal knowledge here includes the idea that Maine's taxes are the highest in the nation. If you question this, or if you point out how your taxes were higher at a previous home; folks here may become angry at you. Because you are defiling their tribal knowledge.

I think this tribal knowledge permeates most states: locals are absolutely sure that their taxes are much higher than almost everywhere else except NY and California, and some will even trot out "proof".

The same goes for taxes in the US in general.

[slyfox2]

Originally Posted by crb01

I have either misunderstood the Maine tax laws my entire life or your friend is way out in left field in how she deducts her property tax. The amount one pays in property tax comes off your gross income, not the actual tax. This translates to much less off your actual tax. In the example you gave, it may mean a $500 difference, not $2,200. Her total income tax would be $5,000 (hypothetically), not $3,300 as you stated.

Somebody please correct me if I am wrong in this.

All I know, is that it was a credit not a deduction. When I did my income taxes last year, I expected to have to pay as if it was a deduction of a couple of hundred dollars. I expected to pay about $3000 more than I actually did.

I don't know how its done, but my tax program did it, and 7 months later I've not heard anything form Augusta that it was wrong. Figuring backwards, the only way the numbers could have come up that way on the program was if it was a credit not a deduction.

Who knows???? I don't.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Linda_d

I think this tribal knowledge permeates most states: locals are absolutely sure that their taxes are much higher than almost everywhere else except NY and California, and some will even trot out "proof".

The same goes for taxes in the US in general.

I agree.


Now there is 'tax burden'. Which includes all business and corporate tax revenue, it divides that out by population. Trying to imply that the average citizen is paying those corporate taxes.

Maine does have a high 'tax burden'.



Taxes that you actually pay will differ a lot from the 'tax burden', and they differ a lot from township to township.

[crb01]

Originally Posted by slyfox2

Who knows???? I don't.

Than you should not be stating it as fact. People will read your earlier post and assume they can deduct their property tax directly from their income tax, this is not the case and can get people in a lot of trouble.

[flycessna]

taxes are subjective and a product of lifestyle.. I would look at my own position where I am living now and then try and make the best comparison I can with respect to ALL taxes... Income, sales, (property??) gas, ect. You might find your taxes do not change much. But, there are other statistics that I might consider also in addition to taxes. I have found pretty consistently the Maine is one of the more expensive places to live when compared to pretty much any of the places I have lived and or travelled too. Our food is more expensive, our gas is more expensive and despite record housing prices south of the border (mass) I have routinely found that the income is so much lower here it outweighs any advantages in the drop in housing costs not to mention quality housing in a good location will still cost plenty in Maine. When I my folks lived in Mass even going to the dentist was more expensive here! And maybe all of this IS because of the states overall tax burden trickling down??

If there is a particular lifestyle you want to afford your self that money can't buy, low crime, slower pace, closer the mountains ect.. then go for it but don't be fooled into thinking your going come to Maine and live a better quality of life monetarily..

[Northern Maine Land Man]

flycessna is on the right track. If you move to Maine and buy a $350,000 McMansion, drive a Hummer and have a $200,000 motor home you are going to have a heavy tax burden. Your town will love you. If you buy an older farm home for $100,000, drive a used pickup and live more simply you will have a low tax burden.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by bangorme

The tax burden on Mainers has been so often documented here that I'm not going to go through it again. If the OP does a search, he/she will find lots of independent research on the matter. Maine's taxes are very high. Don't let anecdotal "stories" stand in the way of the cold, hard, truth. Those citing "tribal knowledge" as being the source of the research are just trying to trivialize reality and sugarcoat the taxes here.

here's some factual sugarcoating as you say...on property taxes

ive lived in my house for 22 years, i have waterfront, the taxes were 800 yr 22yrs ago now its 1100,

its all in the town you live in- if i lived in the next town over , i'd be paying triple,,

and i live within 15 miles of augusta , the state capitol, not in the northern woods

[bangorme]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

flycessna is on the right track. If you move to Maine and buy a $350,000 McMansion, drive a Hummer and have a $200,000 motor home you are going to have a heavy tax burden. Your town will love you. If you buy an older farm home for $100,000, drive a used pickup and live more simply you will have a low tax burden.

Which is true, but also true everywhere else. I guess the moral is: Don't move to Maine for low taxes. There are lots of good reasons, but low taxes isn't one of them.

[slyfox2]

You can move to Mississippi for low taxes. But who would want to live in Mississippi?

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by flycessna

... If there is a particular lifestyle you want to afford your self that money can't buy, low crime, slower pace, closer the mountains ect.. then go for it but don't be fooled into thinking your going come to Maine and live a better quality of life monetarily..

I can not imagine anyone moving here to become wealthy.