[IYAS9YAS]

I'm moving to NH soon and love the fact they don't tax wages. But why property tax? Why not a sales tax? With so many visitors, the burden would/could be a lot lower on the locals and you don't have to worry about the taxman taking your property because you didn't pony up your $4,500 (give or take two grand) a year. Or are the outrageous property taxes just in the southern part of the state?

[SecularisX]

As for property taxes, if you're around any of the larger population centers they are going to be high.

As for having no sales tax, isn't it possible that's one reason why we have so many visitors? Not that we don't have plenty of other perks, but it makes for a great marketing tool.. and keeps the folks in neighboring states running across the border for their liquor, and choosing to shop in our malls over those in their home states.

X

[nh1]

Although NH does not tax wages, it does tax profits.

If you are self employed, you do not earn wages, your company earns a profit. These profits are taxed, the taxes are significantly lower than income taxes in neighboring states, but it's still a tax.

[Redbob]

"Why not a sales tax? With so many visitors,..."

I'm always astounded to run across these "tax the other guy" arguments on a supposedly conservative website.

[crv16]

But why property tax? Why not a sales tax?

You (as a taxpayer) have more of a voice when taxes are collected and spent at the local level. The higher up the ladder tax collections go, the smaller your voice becomes.

[Final Authority]

Not a simple answer for those who do not understand NH but I will try. Tax obligation is for the lifetime of ones life in a society, therefore, paying a high property tax in the elder years should not be considered a burden as when one has children in school the tax burden compared to the cost of school is quite cheap. (about $10K per student X 2.4 kids per family v. about $5K in taxes per year)On the other hand, folks in NH came to live here because of the corruption of neighboring states where increasing the tax base only bloated the government of the state and provided no essential services. A sales tax would do the same and that is why the folks in NH will avoid such broad based tax. As long as we can keep the legislature essentially a volunteer body we will keep the tax structure and this is what makes NH stand like a shining light on the hill.