Kerry blames himself for flap over yacht tax (Berther avoided ANNUAL excise tax? HUGH CAPTION!)

Telegram ^ | 7/31/10

[Libloather]

Kerry blames himself for flap over yacht tax
Saturday, July 31, 2010
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOSTON — Sen. John Kerry said he always intended to pay taxes in Massachusetts on his $7 million yacht but conceded he mishandled the public furor over his decision to dock the vessel in Rhode Island.

“I don’t think I dealt with it fast enough, effectively enough. There’s nobody to blame but myself for that,” the Massachusetts Democrat told The Boston Globe for Friday’s editions.

Kerry added that he did nothing legally wrong.

Kerry moved to end the controversy this week by saying he would write Massachusetts a check for about $500,000, whether he owed the money or not. He told The Associated Press that he and his wife “have always complied with tax laws.” The payment represents $437,500 in one-time sales taxes, plus about $70,000 in annual excise taxes.

The 2004 Democratic presidential nominee had been dogged by charges of tax evasion since the Boston Herald first reported his decision to dock the 76-foot sloop Isabel in Newport, R.I.

Kerry told the Globe it was never his intention to permanently dock the yacht in Rhode Island. He said he had not yet taken final ownership of the boat because changes were still being made by the designer, but that he could take possession within the next few days.

He said there was never any thought to avoiding sales and excise taxes in his home state, but acknowledged that he failed to get that message across to the public.

“I said to people, on day one, we will pay all taxes, all taxes, there’s no issue here,” he told the newspaper.

[Libloather]

The payment represents $437,500 in one-time sales taxes, plus about $70,000 in annual excise taxes.

And when did Effin' Kerry purchase the 'sailboat' exactly? He may owe a ton more!

Kerry irritated by yacht questions
By ANDY BARR | 7/27/10 1:02 PM EDT
Updated: 7/28/10 4:10 PM EDT

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) says he will pay all taxes owed on his new $7 million yacht.

“As we’ve said from the beginning, we have always complied with tax laws and we always will,” Kerry said in a statement Tuesday. “We’ve reached out to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and made clear that, whether owed or not, we intend to pay the equivalent taxes as if the boat’s home-port were currently in Massachusetts. That payment is being made promptly.”

The yacht became a local issue over the weekend after the Boston Herald reported on Friday that Kerry was docking his new family boat in Rhode Island, thus avoiding nearly $500,000 in Massachusetts taxes.

If Kerry were to move the yacht to Massachusetts within six months of its purchase, the state would assume it was bought for in-state use and tax it accordingly. If the boat were to remain in Rhode Island, however, Kerry would not be required to pay Massachusetts taxes.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/40277.html

[Sacajaweau]

In the memo part on the check, John can write “Got Caught”

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Kerry moved to end the controversy this week by saying he would write Massachusetts a check for about $500,000

But will he give the check to Massachusetts.. that is the question.

[ILS21R]

“I said to people, on day one, we will pay all taxes, all taxes, there’s no issue here,” he told the newspaper.

John Kerry is so FOS his eyes are brown.

[Charles Henrickson]

"I'm being Shiftboated!"

[Charles Henrickson]

"What, you want to see my berth certificate?"

[Farmer Dean]

Kerry looks like the morning after the night before!

[Charles Henrickson]

"Reporting for duty . . . free docking!"

[Charles Henrickson]

"John Kerry has your back . . . taxes!"

[rawcatslyentist]

He said he had not yet taken final ownership of the boat because changes were still being made by the designer, but that he could take possession within the next few days.

What'ya wanna bet he doesn't take possession in the next few days. This'll end the controversy. Till later when no one is watching will he take possession.

[hal ogen]

Just why doesn’t he throw his yacht over the White House fence? Pompous dingus.

[Charles Henrickson]

"Lovey said it was a FREE yacht!"

[cripplecreek]

Taxes are for the little people who actually work to pay them.

[Libloather]

Pinched that ‘berther’ crack from your funnies.

[Cobra64]

.

[Chode]

whether owed or not, we intend to pay the equivalent taxes as if the boat’s home-port were currently in Massachusetts.

ya gotta be kiddin me...

[Charles Henrickson]

"What's up, dock?"

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

is he wearing blusher...make up? Or is he drinking too much??

[Colonel_Flagg]

He said he had not yet taken final ownership of the boat because changes were still being made by the designer, but that he could take possession within the next few days.

I bet that thing looks really pretty when all 48 galley slaves are rowing in unison.

[Libloather]

I can almost see where the Botox was injected.