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John Kerry Says He'll Voluntarily Pay Massachusetts Taxes on Luxury Yacht
On Tuesday, the Democratic senator short-circuited pesky questions about whether he was avoiding stiff taxes on the yacht in his home state after a tax agency began looking into reports that the $7 million craft has been seen repeatedly in Massachusetts waters, despite being docked in Newport, R.I., the Boston Globe reported.
"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," Kerry said. "That payment is being made promptly."
Massachusetts residents who purchase boats in other states but plan to sail them in Massachusetts must file forms in the state and pay the equivalent of a sales tax and annual excise taxes, according to the state agency. Kerry apparently had not filed the required form, and the presence of the family yacht in the Newport boatyard led to a flurry of media reports, suggesting he was trying to avoid paying Massachusetts taxes on the Isabel.
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Only because he got caught.
July 28 2010 at 5:33 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyIt certainly annoy's me that if you are an elected official and live in Washington and break the law they seem to be immune from prosecution. The officials we elected to protect our interest's have let us down miserably. Kerry's wife is worth a fortune and they still try to evade paying anything back to our government. Another national disgrace.
July 28 2010 at 5:23 PM Report abuse Permalink +5 rate up rate down ReplyAnother politiican is caught with his pants down or in this case his yacht. It does not seem to matter which party he or she belongs to it's always the same story. This time it is a Democrat and no doubt he got away more easily that would have a Republican.
July 28 2010 at 5:22 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down ReplyI think that every out of stater who docks his/her yacht in Rhode Island in order to avoid home state taxes should be required to pay them. In fact, everyone who avoids home state taxes to purchase, rent, or dock items should be required to pay them. I also think that every corporation that does business in the United States but headquarters in countries where taxes are lower, in order to avoid their fair of the US tax burden should be required to pay them as well.
July 28 2010 at 6:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLet's see I forgot..in 2009 I paid quarterly taxes and toward end of 2009 I transferred some of the spouse's IRA over into a Roth. Then the IRS is billing for a penality of $202.00 on my taxes because I underpaid...what a joke and then this guy and Geithner do their own thing regarding big time money...God I love this country.....sick!!!
July 28 2010 at 5:21 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Replyall the politicians that try to beat the system should lose their seat in office.........some think they are above the law..............no wonder there so much crime and unpaid taxes.....come on every one lobby for no more criminals with the law makers.
July 28 2010 at 5:18 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down Reply$7 million-dollar yacht, $2 million-dollar wedding, rent-controlled apartments and a Caribbean getaway, tax evasion, holier-than-thou attitudes...LET THEM EAT CAKE - off with their heads! America - where government public servants, entertainers, and sports figures make more than the combined income of a blue-collar neighborhood who ignorantly allow these greedy people to live a lifestyle they themselves can only see in the media or dream of. Wait, it can happen! The government allows generational welfare recipients use their EBT cards in casinos where they can win the jack[pot!
July 28 2010 at 5:14 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down ReplyHow many among us ordinary tax paying folks have a yacht to park anywhere?
Very few if any. A 7 million dollar yacht <<<>>>> How ostentatious is that.
Trying to by pass the system, how is that working out for ya ?
Change is good sometimes when the wrong doers get caught.
What a great guy and outstanding citizen, wanting to pay his taxes!
It amazes me everyday how those in government look for ways of avoiding paying taxes. Of course the average citizen better do their part or the IRS will come after you.
Is anybody else tired of this double standard with those holding public office?
Ohhhh, wow, a rich man avoiding taxes! You would never catch a republican doing that, would you? Thats because they are too good at it and there are too damn many of them! Give me a break . . .
July 28 2010 at 5:08 PM Report abuse Permalink -9 rate up rate down ReplyHe has come home from Vietnam to get everything he ever wanted except the royal family status that comes with the White House.Hhe is a self-made man in every sense, except that his wife was/is fabulously wealthy. Other than that he is a real Horatio Alger novel.
July 28 2010 at 5:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyTo marry into money does not make a self made man! His post VN "sevice " is a slap in the face of every VN veteran!
July 28 2010 at 7:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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