With Maine politicians debating tax policy, I’m reminded of the tax burden differences for two coastal New England cities:

• State income tax rate (married couples earning more than $41,850): Portland, Maine – 7.95 percent, Portsmouth, New Hampshire – 0 percent.

• State capital gains tax rate (married couples earning more than $41,850): Portland – 7.95 percent, Portsmouth – 0 percent.

• State sales tax rate: Portland – 5.5 percent, Portsmouth – 0 percent.

• State meals tax rate: Portland – 8 percent, Portsmouth – 9 percent.

• State liquor tax rate: Portland  – 8 percent, Portsmouth – 0 percent.

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• City property tax rate: Portland – 2 percent, Portsmouth – 1.81 percent.

• State new-car excise tax rate: Portland – 2.4 percent, Portsmouth – 1.8 percent.

• State auto gas tax rate: Portland – 30 percent, Portsmouth – 23.825 percent.

Where would you live?

Russ Matthews
Portland


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