Maine Also Mulls Sat TV Tax

[Chris Blount]

And yet another state has joined the fray over satellite TV taxes.
Lawmakers in Maine are debating a tax on satellite TV services delivered to consumers in the state. The levy is being described as leveling the playing field between cable and satellite TV, since cable customers pay a 5 percent sales tax but satellite subscribers do not pay the same levy.

The current budget being debated by the Maine legislature would apply the same 5 percent tax to satellite services.

In other parts of the country, the Nevada General Assembly is working on legislation that would impose a 5 percent levy on satellite TV subscribers in the state (for story, see: http://www.skyreport.com/view.cfm?ReleaseID=1622). And Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher recently signed into law a state budget that imposes a new tax on the state's satellite TV subscribers amounting to at least 3 percent (for story, see: http://www.skyreport.com/view.cfm?ReleaseID=1618).

http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)

[djlong]

When are they going to look at *why* taxes are levied?

Cable pays taxes on their infrastructure so that they are protected by fire and police departments.

Consumers pay property taxes to protect their homes (directly or in their rents) the same way.

This infrastructure and the need to pay for it DOES NOT EXIST with satellite.

You don't put a tax on somebody "just because".

[saturk]

We need a nationwide revolt against taxes. Our money is mostly being wasted on pork as it is. EVERYONE needs to take a stand now!

[durl]

You don't put a tax on somebody "just because".

I agree completely. If we could just get state legislators to subscribe to that statement.

At least here in Tennessee, we were able to protest a state income tax and keep it from being enacted. Legislators were sneaky and lied a lot, but the people eventually won out...for now. People need to realize that if they become involved and keep up the pressure, they CAN make a difference. We need satellite subscribers to organize in each state and get rid of these unfair taxes.

[djlong]

The way they're thinking, back in 'the old days', when cars first came out, if gasoline was cheaper than hay and grain for horses, they'd propose a "gasoline tax" to "level the playing field" so that horse breeders and auto dealerships were equalized.

[Redster]

As I am originally from Maine. I cant believe they are adding on another tax. Maine has pretty darn close to the 2nd highest tax rate. Everytime I call home, mom says that the work is unavailabe and practically the whole county is on welfare. Guess adding taxes is one more way to get some of the money back.

[durl]

Satellite taxes are nothing but penalties for owning a dish. It's a monthly punitive tax against a select group of citizens that own equipment that has absolutely zero impact on the community. We pay tax when we purchase the equipment (for those of us who actually buy it) but then we're taxed later for simply owning it.

[rid0617]

We have to pay a 5% monthly sales tax on satellites. Nothing more than a fund raiser so politicians can spend their way into re-election. It sucks