No More Property Tax
On Business Equipment
“It’s time to repeal this
tax,” said Baldacci supporting the elimination of the BETR tax at the beginning of
the session with business community members.
“Maine is on the right track for economic
growth, and this legislation moves us much further down that path,” said Governor
John Baldacci. “This bill will generate jobs, for Maine businesses big and
small.”
Heralded as a breakthrough in tax reduction,
the passage of LD 2056 marked an end to a ten-year-old tax policy called the Business
Equipment Tax Reimbursement program (BETR), which drained state resources to the tune of
$80 million per year.
BETR spent state dollars to reimburse
businesses for the local property taxes they paid on their equipment. The program was
proven to be ineffective. Yet, for years it stayed on the books because local
municipalities counted on the property tax it brought in.
Since its inception in 1997, BETR grew by
1,495 percent. Last year there were 1,764 companies that received a benefit from BETR, but
about 60 percent of the reimbursement funds went to only 20 companies.
Many businesses did not like BETR because it
took capital away from them, making them wait for months to be reimbursed. Small
businesses have to watch their cash flow and manage their time carefully. Many of them
found the reimbursement policy overburdened with paperwork and very time consuming, so
they chose simply not to file for reimbursement, making BETR a bitter tax.
“This tax was a significant
burden to small business,” said Steve Linne owner of Blacksmith’s Winery in
Casco.
“We have four people; cash is king. When
we have to tie up cash for 18 months and go through all the paperwork to get what’s
due to us, it’s a major problem. I’ve talked to a lot of similar businesses my
size and they don’t even bother getting their reimbursement. They pay the money and
forget about it. The paperwork has been too much of an issue—but they need the
cash.” Linne said that repealing BETR removes a negative perception that Maine is not
a good place to start a business, “Even though the BETR program gave us our money
back, it still was a shock getting my first tax bill. I remember returning from Italy,
excited after I bought my first vine stock. Then, seeing the bill, I wondered if I had
made a mistake. “
"The wine business is extremely capital
intensive; 90 percent of my revenues are tied up in equipment. Now I’m looking at
investing a hundred to two hundred thousand dollars more in my business. This repeal will
help me keep up with demand and invest in new equipment.”
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agreed
that the new law was clearly a major accomplishment, because it should help spur business
investment.
“This law gives the state of Maine
additional economic tools to negotiate in the marketplace for Maine jobs,” said
Senator Barry Hobbins. “It’s a good incentive for more companies to come to
Maine.”
“This measure should send the message
that Maine is truly open for business, around the world, more than ever before,” said
Governor Baldacci.
“I’ve been waiting two years for
this measure to pass,” said Sen. Joe Perry who co-chairs the Taxation Committee.
“This and LD 1 are the most important pieces of legislation that the tax committee
has done in years. LD 2056 opens the door for business investment. It gives us stability,
and will save the state millions over time. Getting rid of BETR will spur development
which will increase the tax base in the state. The governor’s strong leadership got
this bill passed. He insisted that we work out a solution, and we did.”
“The end legislation is a more balanced
product than the original bill,” said Rep. Richard Woodbury, co-chair of the taxation
committee. “It gives communities more time to transition. New businesses will never
have to deal with BETR, while the old ones will be phased out gradually.”
“It’s historic,” added Sen.
Perry.
“Maine is on the right track
for economic growth, and this legislation moves us much further down that path,” said
Governor John Baldacci. “This bill will generate jobs, for Maine businesses big and
small.”
House Majority Leader Glen Cummings referred
to the bill as “an important breakthrough, mostly because technology is our way to
compete for the future. This law sets the right avenue for technology investment. If you
don’t have the right avenue for investment in technology then you’re not going
to be competitive in the next century. There’s no question about it.”
The final vote in the House was 117 in favor
with 21 opposed; in the Senate, 34 in favor with no opposition.
“This is huge for the state of Maine;
it’s been something that we’ve been carrying around on our back for a long
time,” said the governor. “It’s a culmination of a lot work from people
representing all different interest groups and all different parties. Together, we are
promoting Maine for more business opportunity and expanded business opportunity.”
The governor has been steadily improving
Maine’s business climate. His Pine Tree Zones have yielded over 3,000 jobs and are
expanding. His research and development bonds have made high-tech discoveries in Maine
possible, and these technological advances are being utilized by Maine companies.
During the ceremonial signing of LD 2056,
Governor Baldacci told the crowd of about 65 people, about success stories of businesses
in Maine, including the recent expansion of Oxford Aviation in Sanford, and
T-Mobile’s call center with 800 employees. “We have to talk about these
successes more,” said the governor. “We want more business and job opportunities
in our state, and I think this is a wonderful advertisement for Maine.”
“Businesses around the country
can now look at Maine as a place where we have a predictable and stable tax structure and,
therefore, invest to a greater degree than they are currently investing in Maine,”
said House Speaker John Richardson.
“Governor Baldacci deserves credit for
getting this bill passed. All too often he is modest about his achievements; I believe in
giving credit where credit is due. He insisted we come to a compromise that works for
everyone. He was the driving force behind this effort.”
The law exempts new equipment to be installed
after April 1, 2007, from local personal property taxes. Personal property already
registered in BETR, will remain taxable by municipalities with tax payments by businesses
still eligible for state reimbursement. Service center communities and mill towns will be
provided with greater protection as BETR is phased out. By law the state is required to
accept greater financial responsibility to reimburse municipalities for lost revenue. The
Maine Municipal Association did not oppose the legislation. “The law requires 90
percent reimbursement to all communities. Municipalities are protected and the state will
honor its commitment,” said Governor Baldacci. “By supporting this legislation
you’ve taken a bold essential step to recognizing the critical role investment plays
in building a strong, vibrant economy,” said Dennis Rogers from Tambrands in Auburn.
“The first step in job creation is when a business decides to invest. We need
businesses to invest in Maine, as Maine invests in our intellectual capital.” Rogers
talked about the result of his company’s investment of $275,000,000 in Maine. They
included doubling productivity, product developments using new technologies, additional
support to local charities, and the usage of Maine vendors to retool their facilities.
“The passage of 2056 gives us confidence to continue to invest, knowing future
investments will be made in a more positive, stable investment environment.”
“It rewards investment,” said
Governor Baldacci. “If people in business are going to make investments, we should
reward investment and raise wages. People who are going to work should be able to make
ends meet and meet their responsibilities to their families, and Maine as a state needs to
be able to do that.”
“It really is another important
piece of the governor’s vision for creating a sustainable economy in Maine and
meeting the challenges of the 21st century,” said Martha Freeman, director of the
Governor’s State Planning Office. “This supports investment in our traditional
industries, in new technology, and large and small business to create good paying jobs
with benefits. It’s a piece that works along with educating people in Maine,
protecting our environment, and providing the kind of social safety net that we need for
all of us to prosper together.”
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