Maine Supreme Court overturns tax use charge for Massachusetts pilot
May 11, 2011, 01:07 pm
The Supreme Judicial Court of Maine has ordered that the state repay a Massachusetts pilot who was assessed a $26,000 tax for using his aircraft in the state of Maine, according to AVweb.
Although the aircraft was purchased and registered in Massachusetts, Maine authorities had charged the tax, claiming it fell under the state's use tax that applies to items bought in other states, but used in Maine.
The source says authorities had marked the tail number of pilot Steve Kahn's Cirrus SR22 while he was in Maine visiting a property he owned and participating in volunteer flight missions.
The panelists who overturned the fee decided that the aircraft had not remained in the state long enough to incur the tax. However, they did not exactly define what amount of time was enough to warrant taxation.
Owning an aircraft is expensive enough without added taxation. In addition to maintenance fees, it is important that pilots insure their aircraft as well as their lives. Some companies offer specialized pilot life insurance, which can be a more affordable option than regular life insurance for those partaking in the risky recreation.
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