Go Back   Cruiser Log World Cruising & Sailing Forums > Cruising Forums > General Cruising Forum
Cruiser Wiki Click Here to Login

Join Cruiser Log Today

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-14-2011, 05:18 PM   #1
Ensign
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Home Port: Amelia Island
Vessel Name: DAGNY
Posts: 20
Default

Hello - while cruising, I lost my homesteader's status (3% cap on raising taxes). Then the home went into "market value" tax rate. OK, tough. I moved back home, re-instated my status. No mercy from the county, taxes are high. My question: What if I want to return to cruising? I can't bear another tax increase! I've been advised to lie better. Get a friend to collect my mail, pretend to be home. I don't think I should have to lie - if I were active-duty military the law provides protection... Should cruisers be penalized like this? I do not have any other home. Am I alone in this dilemma?
__________________

__________________
svdagny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2011, 08:33 PM   #2
Ensign
 
SteveW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 27
Default

You don't state if someone else is occupying the home while you were cruising?? I think that if you are renting it out then your no longer entitled to the homestead exemption.. If you still have an immediate family member residing there then you could still be claimed as your residence.

You can't have it both ways. Sorry!

I know you situation to some extent. I a senior and only want my property taxes frozen as a low income senior. My exemption is based on my Gross income and the only exemption is medical expenses. I am retire military and with medicare I have almost no medical expense. (Yah! I know I should be greatful for that.). What I want to deduct is my ex-wife's share of my retirement pay. I don't begrudge her that share but it is still considered part of my gross income (for this property tax situation) even though she pays the taxes on it. Sorry! Kinda off topic!!

SteveW
__________________

__________________
Ingrid 38 (buider/owner), Huckins 53 ('61)
SteveW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2011, 02:34 AM   #3
Admiral
 
JeanneP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,098
Default

Not to get too snippy, but do you really think that cruisers should have the same status as members of the military?

What did you do with your house while you were cruising? Leave it empty? Or did you rent it out to supplement your cruising kitty?
__________________
In 1986 we went cruising for a few years. After 20 years and 50+ countries and several oceans, we are STILL "cruising for a few years".

SY WATERMELON |
MV WATERMELON (New) | Cruiser's Dictionary, free ebook

= Cruiser's Dictionary, North America,
JeanneP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2011, 03:35 AM   #4
Moderator
 
redbopeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Home Port: Washington DC
Vessel Name: SV Mahdee
Posts: 3,236
Default

OK, I'm totally lost here but let me ramble a bit.

What state are you in? I know people who claim their boat as their home--they "homestead" in California. They do it to preserve some rights regarding the boat not being taken away (I suppose creditors..) and being evicted from marinas (though I don't really know how that one works either.)

However, taxes are taxes are taxes. Many cruisers have their boats documented by the USCG and thus they don't have the boat registered in a state anyway. When they return, they pay taxes, yes.

Since boats don't increase in value the way that real estate does...I don't get it...

OH! Silly me, I finally DO get it--you're trying to keep your homestead exemption on your property--the property that must have been rented out and thus really isn't eligible for homesteading anyway until you return, right?

Same status/benefits as active duty military? No, a cruiser or ex-pat is not out there risking his/her life for our country. Today's active duty military have very few benefits. If a particular state is giving them a tax break, great! Military (and federal employees) who are stationed abroad pay taxes on their pay unless they're in a war zone. Ex-pats (that would be cruisers who are working abroad or anyone else who is making money abroad) get to exclude the first $75K or so of income from taxation here in the states while they're abroad. Now, there's a sad case where our military pay MORE than other Americans who live abroad.

I'm glad you have a home to return to and hope you'll enjoy cruising again soon.
__________________
"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda

What we're doing - The sailing life aboard and the Schooner Chandlery.

redbopeep is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2011, 07:52 AM   #5
Commander
 
chiroeurope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Home Port: Edinburgh
Posts: 189
Send a message via Yahoo to chiroeurope Send a message via Skype™ to chiroeurope
Default

I agree with Brenda on this one.

I am former Military but did not finish the 20 yrs to get retirement, personal reasons and I do have honorable discharge so that is fine. I live outside the US and DON'T work for the government or a US company and they still want to tax me on any income I make over 90K (that is the current level when dealing with the UK and some EU countries when you take all the parts together). That I don't agree with as the US is the only country to do this that I know of and I know for sure is the only member of the G20 to do so. I believe the phrase taxation without..... . Heck Italy does not tax outside of Italy and gives representation to Italians living abroad in the Italian government.

When in the US I gladly pay my taxes and when outside I will pay when I owe, but I promise you that I use every legal means (lying leaves internal stains that I don't like) to pay as little as possible. Reason? the state department does a very good job of not helping US citizens abroad and every time we come to visit family we get treated to a system that is fascist (sorry but go look at history the "security systems" current in place in the US are carbon copies of the border systems the Nazi's had in place in Germany before they started rounding up the Jews.

Personally, pay the taxes you legally owe, Vote from an informed position (don't trust the parties and definitely not the media), stay informed and be willing to protest when the government goes outside it's mandate, and lastly never ever trust a corporation to do what is really in the best interests of the public.

Just my two cents worth.

Michael
__________________
What you see in the Universe, sees you.
MM6WMU
chiroeurope is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2011, 06:18 PM   #6
Moderator
 
redbopeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Home Port: Washington DC
Vessel Name: SV Mahdee
Posts: 3,236
Default

Michael--Americans abroad do have representation via their elected officials in their home state. Keeping up voter registration is important for that reason. Absentee balloting, etc.

Glad to hear the federal exclusion is now 90K for US residents other than those who work for the federal gov't abroad (and who have no exclusion).

The only Americans who really DO have "taxation without representation" are residents of the District of Columbia. Residents of the US territories have no federal taxation and no representation. Residents of DC have federal taxation but no federal Senate seats and a representative in the house who CAN vote but who's vote doesn't count. No representation at the federal level.
__________________

__________________
"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda

What we're doing - The sailing life aboard and the Schooner Chandlery.

redbopeep is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Colin Regenerates To Tropical Storm Status StormW "StormW's" Daily Weather Synopsis 0 08-05-2010 10:57 PM
Status Of Seized Ships And Crew MMNETSEA Regional Piracy 0 03-28-2010 02:17 AM
Lose Homesteaders Exemption By Going To Sea svdagny The Poop Deck 2 11-16-2009 11:20 PM

Our Communities

Our communities encompass many different hobbies and interests, but each one is built on friendly, intelligent membership.

» More about our Communities

Automotive Communities

Our Automotive communities encompass many different makes and models. From U.S. domestics to European Saloons.

» More about our Automotive Communities

RV & Travel Trailer Communities

Our RV & Travel Trailer sites encompasses virtually all types of Recreational Vehicles, from brand-specific to general RV communities.

» More about our RV Communities

Marine Communities

Our Marine websites focus on Cruising and Sailing Vessels, including forums and the largest cruising Wiki project on the web today.

» More about our Marine Communities


All times are GMT. The time now is 09:50 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
×