another day, another made up tax - Page 2 - Machine Underground -Tractor & Commercial Equipment Discussion Forum

**LoneCowboy** · 04-10-2008, 07:50 PM

and I quote "it's a mistake" (lovely eh? gives you such faith in government)

I got a hold of the deputy chief of the state police in charge of ports of entry and he had a really good understanding of the whole thing (about the only person IMO) and basically if it's self-propelled and it's used commercially, you need it.

I've never seen one, but obviously they are going to be cracking down given the money involved (since it's always about the money)

Dougster · 04-10-2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneCowboy

three thousand, two hundred and forty two dollars.

for only 2 of the 3 tractors.

and of course this comes up every year (although it will be less each year)

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneCowboy

and I quote "it's a mistake" (lovely eh? gives you such faith in government)

I got a hold of the deputy chief of the state police in charge of ports of entry and he had a really good understanding of the whole thing (about the only person IMO) and basically if it's self-propelled and it's used commercially, you need it.

I've never seen one, but obviously they are going to be cracking down given the money involved (since it's always about the money)

That is just plain insane. I don't get it. Around here that would put most of us little guys (other than the illegal aliens, of course) out of business.

Dougster

**LoneCowboy** · 04-10-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dougster

That is just plain insane. I don't get it. Around here that would put most of us little guys (other than the illegal aliens, of course) out of business.

Dougster

duhhhhhhhhh, welcome to my world.

Dougster · 04-10-2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneCowboy

duhhhhhhhhh, welcome to my world.

This just doesn't sound right LC. I can see the Godless SOB's trying to tax large, big dollar, off-road construction/farming machinery. I can't see them trying to tax to death 75HP and under aggie tractors, compact tractors, zero turns, rider mowers, stump grinders, snowblowers, etc.

This sounds like one of those laws passing with one intent... and then having the implementing/enforcing folks twist the law to a different... in this case greatly expanded... meaning.

Living in the epicenter of insane, perverse, out-of-control taxation, I feel your pain... and must wonder if Taxachusetts is the very next stop for this particular new brand of insanity. Between insurance, advertising, equipment and everyday operating costs... plus government licenses, fees and taxation... the little guy (at least those of us who obey the laws) doesn't stand a chance anymore.

Dougster

**PaulChristenson** · 04-11-2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneCowboy

three thousand, two hundred and forty two dollars.

for only 2 of the 3 tractors.

and of course this comes up every year (although it will be less each year)

Geez...what a wonderful and unplanned business deduction for you...

I have to modify my previous response though...

COLORADO...POLICE STATE?...NO
COLORADO...SCREWY TAXATION STATE...YEP

Sorry LC...hope this fee is not a MAJOR INSULT to the Business Plan...

**LoneCowboy** · 04-11-2008, 12:42 AM

He missed the most important thing. If you've owned the tractor and not used it for commercial use and then decide too, you have to pay the registration for the past 5 years or the date purchased whichever is less. That is just plain wrong. If they are going to enforce it on one person they need to enforce it on everybody. It's bad enough that most people aren't insured, but now this!

Mrs. LC

**PaulChristenson** · 04-11-2008, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneCowboy

He missed the most important thing. If you've owned the tractor and not used it for commercial use and then decide too, you have to pay the registration for the past 5 years or the date purchased whichever is less. That is just plain wrong. If they are going to enforce it on one person they need to enforce it on everybody. It's bad enough that most people aren't insured, but now this!

Mrs. LC

This one is getting nuttier by the post...
Have you run this by your attorney and/or tax accountant??
Because my gut reaction would be that you should be able to recoup the lost years of depreciation on the equipment on your taxes!!!...But, I'll bet the tax people won't see it that way!!!...

(Here is my reasoning: If the state is retro-actively taxing a piece of equipment that was NOT commercial and therefore NOT depreciated...You should be able to recoup the lost depreciation because by the state's tax...they are effectively declaring your machinery to have been commercial back to date of purchase and/or 5 years...whereas normal tax law states it is commercial when placed into commercial operation.)

Final Q?...It would seem that there appears to be selective prosecution of this law which is why I asked if you had run this by your attorney...

Dougster · 04-11-2008, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneCowboy

He missed the most important thing. If you've owned the tractor and not used it for commercial use and then decide too, you have to pay the registration for the past 5 years or the date purchased whichever is less. That is just plain wrong. If they are going to enforce it on one person they need to enforce it on everybody. It's bad enough that most people aren't insured, but now this!

Mrs. LC

Hey Mrs. LC! Nice to met you!

But on this SMM tax on tractors, I am speechless (and it takes a lot to make the old Dougster speechless!!!).

Dougster

p.s., Maybe Brian should consider trying to become an illegal alien like I'm doing!

-d

**LoneCowboy** · 05-24-2008, 06:30 PM

interesting update to this.
Since fighting any tax is impossible I figured at least if everyone was paying it, rates would be a lot more competative. (every job I go to i see a bobcat working, no plates, a tractor doing something else, no plates)

So, one of the big local TV stations did a big thing on "motorhome owners who didn't pay their taxes" (since sales tax is outrageous here and so is registration. So they would form an LLC in Montana (which has no sales tax) and register the motorhome there. and pay $345 instead of $13,000 (Yes, real numbers).

Anyway, I wrote the reporter and said "hey, here's another tax that no one pays, here's all the people to contact (doing their job for them too) for more info.

I'm hoping this leads to more visibility.

Although Monday I'm driving the tractor with batwing down a public road (about 10 miles) to a job, and you know what I'm just going to go "see the plate, piss off copper, I'm legal"

jbrumberg · 05-25-2008, 02:39 PM

"Final Q?...It would seem that there appears to be selective prosecution of this law which is why I asked if you had run this by your attorney...
__________________
Paul in VT"

LC when it comes to government, "big business", and/or bottom line mindedness nothing surprises me anymore

. Selective prosecution/enforcement is scary. I have seen bad things happen to people who question authority and/or who have

someone "in authority". What's that quote "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely"? Jay

and