Excise Tax (car insurance, home, construction)

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Bydand

This is not true actually. Maine has a sliding scale that they use and after dropping for 5 years, on the sixth year that is as low as it will ever go. Maine Revenue Services: Property Tax -

Hmm, okay I see the link, and since it is in writing it must be so.

However when I have paid my excise taxes at the Maine DMV, I have asked about it and both times they have told me that when a car is over 20 years old, they shift to a flat fee of $5.

Which I have been happy about with our Buick stationwagon. Though down in Ct, they had told me that my 59 Willy had a much higher bluebook value so it's taxes were raising each year.

[Bydand]

Whoever is telling you that is reading it wrong, or just flat out lying to you. Last time I registered either of my Jeeps both were over 20 years old and both cost more than $5. My 1973 J-4000 pick-up was $15, and my 1978 CJ-5 was $26.

[AustinB]

My '67 mustang is at the $5- mark, but my '77 cb-750 is at $10-.

[CapeCodder]

I guess if you're coming from MA it seems like a bargain.

Between the savings on car insurance (about 1/2 what we paid)... and the house insurance (over 1/2 what we paid in MA)...then there's the property tax (that's over a 1/4 less)...it's hard for us to complain about anything. We've always had to inspect our vehicles twice a year and it's more money in MA (forget how much though).
We also paid excise tax yearly (I believe on the KBB amount, but not positive).

So the trick is...come from a state that was screwing you to begin with!

[Bydand]

You have to have an inspection twice a year in MA? That stinks.

[CapeCodder]

Originally Posted by Bydand

You have to have an inspection twice a year in MA? That stinks.

No...sorry that was a mistake. I got a litte too excited.

Once a year, like most states...

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by CapeCodder

No...sorry that was a mistake. I got a litte too excited.

Once a year, like most states...

Wow, I thought they had turned even more "Gestapo like," than they had been.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Whoever is telling you that is reading it wrong, or just flat out lying to you. Last time I registered either of my Jeeps both were over 20 years old and both cost more than $5. My 1973 J-4000 pick-up was $15, and my 1978 CJ-5 was $26.

Hmm, I don't know then.

That website certainly implies that everyone everywhere in Maine pays excise taxes by the same schedule, based on the bluebook value.

Then why is it that our 99 saab costs us $15, our 87 Buick $5, and our Willy $5?

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Hmm, I don't know then.

That website certainly implies that everyone everywhere in Maine pays excise taxes by the same schedule, based on the bluebook value.

Then why is it that our 99 saab costs us $15, our 87 Buick $5, and our Willy $5?

I can see your willys being $5, I would think the buick should be more. You are getting a deal.
We have a '97 saab 900 and the excise is $85-$100.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Hmm, I don't know then.

That website certainly implies that everyone everywhere in Maine pays excise taxes by the same schedule, based on the bluebook value.

Then why is it that our 99 saab costs us $15, our 87 Buick $5, and our Willy $5?

Shhhhh!!! don't let on then, somebody someplace has messed up. Enjoy it. Google excise tax in Maine and there isn't one site anyplace that will say different. Right from the Maine revenue service who sets the taxes, on down have the same schedule. Excise is based on MSRP for that vehicle when new and goes down on a set schedule based on that same figure for as long as you own it.