Sen. John Kerry (D.-Ma.) hails from the state of Massachusetts, which is commonly referred to as ‘Taxachusetts.’ John Kerry could best be described as a tax-and-spend, very liberal and ultra-rich United States senator. Nevertheless, even Sen. Kerry takes advantage of any opportunity to reduce his tax bills.
The Los Angeles Times reports that, “the Massachusetts senator is under fire for docking his brand new $7-million yacht in Rhode Island. It’s not illegal to moor your boat there or anything. It’s just that Rhode Island doesn’t have a boat sales and use tax anymore.”
Yet, if the luxury-style yacht that apparently boasts an “Edwardian-style, glossy varnished teak interior, two VIP main cabins and pilothouse filled with a wet bar and cold war storage” were docked in his home state, then he must pay nearly $500,000 in his home state taxes.
Nevertheless, Kerry spokesman David Wade contends that Kerry has done nothing illegal. Sen. Kerry’s docking ‘Isabel,’ (the name of his yacht) in Rhode Island, since it was bought there.
Sen. Kerry told a Boston TV station on Friday that, “let’s not get silly here. We pay enormous taxes to the state of Massachusetts, and there is nothing illegal here.”
According to the LA Times, “whatever the case, it looks like Kerry might have to pay the taxes after all. The Boston Herald reports that the yacht was spotted in Nantucket over the Fourth of July holiday. The law says that ‘if a boat owner berths the vessel in Massachusetts waters within six months of purchasing the boat, there is a ‘presumption of use,’ and the owner must fork over the 6.25 percent sales tax to the commonwealth.”
Sen. Kerry’s spokesman responded that if they owe any taxes, they’ll pay them. Wade said, “Sen. Kerry and his family always comply with tax law, and if any taxes are owed, of course, they will be paid.”
