[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by Airwaves

Actually my assessment in Gilford went up by $50K, but my actual tax liability went down.

I know this is a forbidden topic in NH, but unless and until there is an income tax or a sales tax that spreads the tax liability for the state and municipalities among ALL NH residents, then property owners will continue to bear all of the tax the burden!

It's not rocket science.

Oh good grief, here goes this subject rearing it's ugly head again! If you are a NH resident who is a property owner, you pay property taxes. If you are a NH resident who is a renter, you indirectly pay property taxes. Rent paid covers Prinicipal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance (ever heard the real estate term, PITI payment?) on a property, plus some additional income for the owner.

If you rent a motel or hotel room, or a campground site, etc., you are contributing to the owner's property tax bill...not to mention the M&R tax in this state.

And you say it's the property owners who bear all of the tax burden? I'd say, think again.

Do I think non-resident property owners should have a say in expenditures in their particular town? Yes. Do I think they should have a say in county or state expenditures? Yes. I can see it would create some additional "enforcement" responsibilities on the voting officials but it could be done by changing the "check in" system a bit.

I challenge you non-resident property owners to find out who the legislators are in the areas in which you own property, contact them, and start lobbying for the laws in this or any other state to be changed to allow non-residents to vote in the local elections. Seems to me that would be a more productive use of your time than moaning about a system you knew was in place when you purchased property in this state as a non-resident.