Quote:
Originally Posted by 8gv
As this conversation evolves a few things come to mind:
The op posted about NH property taxes being high. When compared to other states this may be the case but what is the total tax load on our citizens? How does that compare to other states?
At the age of fifty-seven I moved from CT to NH. During my time in CT I watched the state go from having a small sales tax without an income tax to a growing sales tax which is currently 6.35% (with the exception of "luxury items" to include vehicles over $50k which are taxed at 7.75%) plus a meals tax at 7.35% and an income tax with rates ranging from 2% to 6.99%.
When I compare the property taxes of comparable homes in my previous CT town, they are at or above what I pay now in high tax Laconia. But that's not the end of it. On top of the property tax bill, CT residents get to pay the sales tax and income tax noted above!
Once the government gets the opportunity to add another tax they find ways to spend the money. More money brings more programs, often unnecessary ones, that can be used to influence more voters. This cycle feeds itself.
My observation of NH tax policy is that the state and local governments are held in a perpetual state of near starvation. Many would say that this is to the detriment of education and other services. This may be so but having seen what can happen when the Pandora's box of income tax is opened I say DON'T DO IT!
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Overall NH tax obligation is among the lowest among the 50 states. NH relies heavily on property tax. I don't know what the answer is and wonder of the current system is sustainable. Or, does it favor those who are leaving higher tax states, driving up housing prices, and making it harder for the next generation of NH residents to stay? It's already happened (happening?) with waterfront property and border locations.