redhotsommer
09-14-2009, 09:42 PM
Last year, those of us who were keeping our boats in Hammond were served with a lovely letter stating we had better pay up to the state for keeping our stuff in Indiana waters. I ended up shelling out $400 cuz I had to buy TWO years worth of stickers...no option. This played a major role in my decision not to return to Hammond. This weekend, I got another letter "requestiing" $280 for the "privilege" of keepin' my boat in Indiana...which I did not do. So, I submit to you my reply which I am sending in with my payment stub:
To Whomever It May Concern:
Regarding the enclosed bill of taxation, I consider it to be rather a privilege to be presented an opportunity to respond in kind.
Last year, I received this notice along with a letter threatening a potential 100% penalty should I fail to comply immediately. I paid, rather than face governmental retribution…and was promptly invited to pay AGAIN for the forthcoming year. It was explained to me that I could not purchase an “expired” sticker, and as the purchase of a 2008 sticker was impossible due to the timing of the notice, I had to purchase a 2009 sticker as well. Which I did. Only now, I had decided that I no longer wished to keep my boat in Indiana waters, precisely due to what I and MANY of my fellow boaters perceived to be an unfair tax.
I paid tax in the state of Illinois when I purchased my boat. I live in and pay taxes in the state of Illinois today. I fail to understand how it is that the state of Indiana may levy a tax on a purchase made in another state.
To that end, I will not be paying this tax again. Not this year or any year in the future. I did not renew my slippage at Hammond for this summer because of this tax (appr. $4000 I would have spent in your state), and have also chosen not to purchase fuel in your state (another appr. $4000 this summer…surely much of that would have gone to the government). I am aware of similar sentiments and reactions from many other boaters subjected to the same treatment…and the emptiness of Indiana’s marinas from Hammond to Michigan City are an excellent litmus test against the wisdom of taxation without cause or representation.
Regards,
Michael Sommer
To Whomever It May Concern:
Regarding the enclosed bill of taxation, I consider it to be rather a privilege to be presented an opportunity to respond in kind.
Last year, I received this notice along with a letter threatening a potential 100% penalty should I fail to comply immediately. I paid, rather than face governmental retribution…and was promptly invited to pay AGAIN for the forthcoming year. It was explained to me that I could not purchase an “expired” sticker, and as the purchase of a 2008 sticker was impossible due to the timing of the notice, I had to purchase a 2009 sticker as well. Which I did. Only now, I had decided that I no longer wished to keep my boat in Indiana waters, precisely due to what I and MANY of my fellow boaters perceived to be an unfair tax.
I paid tax in the state of Illinois when I purchased my boat. I live in and pay taxes in the state of Illinois today. I fail to understand how it is that the state of Indiana may levy a tax on a purchase made in another state.
To that end, I will not be paying this tax again. Not this year or any year in the future. I did not renew my slippage at Hammond for this summer because of this tax (appr. $4000 I would have spent in your state), and have also chosen not to purchase fuel in your state (another appr. $4000 this summer…surely much of that would have gone to the government). I am aware of similar sentiments and reactions from many other boaters subjected to the same treatment…and the emptiness of Indiana’s marinas from Hammond to Michigan City are an excellent litmus test against the wisdom of taxation without cause or representation.
Regards,
Michael Sommer