TomC, I didn't mean to say that out of state property owners didn't care, as I am sure they care to some extent. The problem lies in that because it is a second home, thier primary concern is keeping thier cost of ownership as low as possible while increasing the value of thier property. This could be said of most homeowners, but full time residents tend to spend town money on things that non-residents do not. MaryS example of Moultonborough Academy emphasises this point.
You are also right in that Massachusetts tax residents and non-residents uniformly in regards to income and property taxes. Same as NH except NH doesn't have an income tax. You can work in NH and NH doesn't tax you at all. But if your a NH resident and work in MA you get taxed. Why should I have to pay an income tax to state I don't live in? I get no representation for a rather large percentage of my salary, no benefits at all except perhaps the priviledge of driving on thier roads. I pay to support the roads with the gasoline taxes. If NH had an income tax, say 3% and MA was 5%, I would have to pay the 5% with MA getting 2% and NH getting thier 3%. But because NH doesn't have an income tax, MA gets the whole 5%. How fair is that? Lets not forget that the Massachusetts Income Tax was supposed to be a temporary measure. Of course that was 30+ years ago and they are still collecting it. Maybe NH should enact an out-of-state workers income tax of 4% and shank all of the surrounding states by taking that money out of thier coffers? That would certainly increase your tax burden.... and make the corrupt politicians on Beacon Hill scramble a bit.
As far as my sales tax reference. I ask you to answer the question! Naah.. don't bother. I seriously doubt have ever declared anything purchased in NH! Paying the sales tax benefits your state, yet hordes of people drive over the borders every day to buy items and save that 5%. Maybe if you guys actually declared your purchases to the MA DOR (Department of Revenue) and paid the 5% tax as you are by law required to do, your income/property/sales taxes would drop accordingly. But you don't...
Your right though, we really aren't discussing the income tax or sales tax. However, in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Massachusetts, just as in NH, non-resident property owners are NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE. Just as in NH, I can go to a town meeting and speak my mind, but I am not allowed to vote.
Why is it people from out of state insist on changing our form of revenue raising to suit them? If you go to that website that TomC posted, NH is 49th in overall tax burden! 49th out of a possible 50! ME is #1, RI is #4, VT is #6, CT is #12 and MA is #32. Massachusetts was alot higher in rankings, earning the nickname Taxachusetts, until they passed Prop 2 1/2. All of these states have some form of broad based taxation. NH is 49th because we have rejected broad based taxation. The rankings speak for themselves! Why would I want to increase my tax burden to suit anyone else?
When you move up here and become a resident Tom, then you can vote in whatever changes you want. It would be very interesting to see how your perspective changes....
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