Jeff Morris wrote:
Once again the ignorant claim that Massachusetts is greedy. MA has one of the lowest
overall tax rates in the country, as a percentage of income. The sales tax is 5%,
much lower than many states. While boats can be taxed under "excise tax" the same as
cars, the assessments are quite forgiving, and you won't be billed if you're "on the
move," and I've never heard of anyone being forced to register in the state if they
are transient, and documented boats need not register.

Frankly, although MA is nice, its likely that you won't stay in the state long enough
to be zapped, unless of course you decide to live there. Florida is a bigger problem,
because they require you to register (even if documented!) if you stay in the state 3
months.

One more thing - in MA, communities that look for boats to tax tend to do it in July,
not in January. Its a little hard to get numbers off boats packed in a yard, covered
with shrinkwrap and a foot of snow.

And do keep that sales tax receipt!


It is interesting that MA, for the first time, is starting to track down
documented boats and hailing ports in an attempt to collect excise
taxes. This summer I got a letter from my town indicating an intent to
impose a tax on my boat, only because the documentation papers list the
town as the hailing port. I replied to the letter indicating that the
boat had never been in town waters, and was actually in a slip in
another town or in Florida. I did not have to pay them, but now the
"other" town has sent a letter.

I did get away with it in Florida though. The boat was there
continuously for a year and a half, but I never registered it in
Florida. I suppose they are cracking down on that down there now also.

Eisboch