I guess you are already familiar with Motor Vehicle excise taxes, and how Augusta and the town pisses the money away! I purchased a new Truck for $26,000.00, and the sticker price was $37,000.00. Of course, the Peoples Republic of Portland city hall demanded the window sticker from the vehicle so they could charge excise tax on the full sticker price, and NOT what was paid for the vehicle. Then, to boot, at the Motor Vehicle office, they had the nerve to charge sales tax on the Factory Rebate of $5,000.00, and a $500.00 Presidents Day bonus rebate. So, all in all, they charged me sales tax on $5,500.00 which I did not spend!
I went online to get the addresses for our elected officials, and it's amazing how many offices each of them have! Presque Isle/Houlton, Bangor/Brewer, Lewiston/Auburn, Biddeford/Sanford, and of course they all have offices here in Portland with addresses such as One City Center, Canal Plaza! I wonder who's paying the rent, utilities, telephone/internet, cleaning, staffing, of all these offices, not to forget about their offices in Washington DC!
I immediately wrote letters to Susan Collins, Olympia Snow, Tom Allen, and Baldacci. Our fine elected official in our Congress and Senate responded by apologizing, and stated that they only deal with Federal Issues, and not State level issues. Our Governor's office responded with a statement that the Excise tax has been around since the 1920's, etc, and that I should express my concerns with my local district representative here in Portland. Talk about passing the buck! Not one of them had any interest in speaking to me about this issue, other than a response with a form letter from one of their assistants.
It's a complete WASTE!
I'm outraged at the system of not only our government, but the lack of commitment our elected officials take, as well as the waste of our already overburdened taxation. It's no wonder people in this state drive jukers for vehicles, while Snow, Baldacci, Collins, and Allen drive around in brand new SUV's, and Jet Set. Is there something wrong with this picture??
Jason
(The Peoples Republic of Portland)
Thursday, June 5, 2008
From Jason in Portland: Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
I got an interesting email from a viewer in Portland the other day. One more reason to not buy a new vehicle!
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3 comments:
I also brought a new truck during the president sales this year. Sticker price was a few shy of 40,000 but with sale price and other discounts from Dodge and special deal through my husbands job only paid 28.000 for the truck. Know I would have to pay the excess tax on the sticker price when I had to register it BUT if anyone took the time to see what is included on the sticker price we are paying for would really throw a fit (which I made my husband go register it so I wouldn't end up in jail lol). I was charged for 11 gallon of gas, also we all are generally charged for delivery fees etc etc.none which have to do with the actually value of the new trucks/Cars. It is just the dealers passing on certain charges to the vehicle but why should we have to pay taxes on these? I could only afford to buy the 695 until my present registration was up in July then I will again have to pay another 600 to register it. Just take notice if and when you buy a new vehicle to see what is actually included on the sticker price you are being taxed on. Maybe we are the idiots for paying the tax or not taking action ourselves. So Jason I feel for you having just gone through it myself. I attempted to contact our great governor and got nowhere but we are the idiots who keep voting this man in.
This is a LOCAL property tax --enacted by the Legislature. It has nothing to do with our Congressional people. There is a People's referendum to cut the excise tax in half. It will be on the ballot in 2009. You can learn more here: http://www.meleads.org/RightLinkParent/CitizenInitiatives/tabid/68/Default.aspx
"Stupid Maine Goverment" ? you can say that again.
I was born and raised in Maine, I lived there for 48 years, and my father always refered to it as the "toilet of the nation" now I understand what he meant. If the goverment up there has to make a choice, the right one and the wrong one, they will make the wrong one every time....EX) that DHHS Computer system..Well I moved out of Maine because of the goverment up there and I wouldn't go back if my life depended on it.
I now call it the Bipolar state, so many up there are so depressed from being taxed to death and lack of sunshine their all on drugs.
And I have been through the same taxing thing when I bought a new truck in 2004.
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