A vote on proposed boat taxes in Connecticut is set for April 18, according to the Connecticut Marine Trades Association.
The finance, revenue and bonding committee is expected to vote that day on bills that would:
- Impose sales tax on a trade-in when someone buys a newer boat.
- Impose sales tax on winter storage of a boat.
- Impose sales tax on repair and maintenance labor on a boat.
- Permit municipalities to impose the property tax of 20 mills on a boat.
- Impose a "luxury tax" of 3 percent on the value of a boat purchase above $100,000 in addition to a proposed 6.35 percent sales tax.
"These changes will make it more expensive to own and maintain a boat in Connecticut," the association said in an e-mail to its members. "Sales will decline, overhaul and repair work will fall, and owners will have a real incentive to move their boats to Rhode Island, which does not impose any of these taxes."
The trade group urged its members to get in touch with their lawmakers, as well as those that serve on the committee, party leaders and the governor.
"Boaters cannot afford an industry with a tax load as indicated in this bill," the association said.
