Rapid Tax

Brookhaven, NY (PRWEB) October 18, 2007 -- With less than five weeks before Election Day, the Brookhaven Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, Inc. continue to turn up the heat and stoke the debate about the Town's proposed 2% transfer tax on home sales that will appear on the November 6th ballot.

"A transfer tax, no matter how disguised by the Town Board as a Community Preservation Fund is still just an additional tax that places an unreasonable burden and unnecessary barriers for buyers and sellers and impedes home ownership at a time when there is a real crisis in the housing market on Long Island," explains Linda Bonarelli, President of the Brookhaven Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, Inc.

Members of the grassroots organization say that the new transfer tax adds to the already high cost of owning a home, and that it will discourage home ownership and only encourage more people to leave Brookhaven for more affordable housing in other nearby areas and/or out of state.

According to Brookhaven Citizens for Unfair Taxes, Inc. the Town of Brookhaven is not being honest with residents about where the projected $35 million in annual revenues, anticipated to be generated from the transfer tax would be applied. Numerous questions still need to be answered by the Town about the proposal:

1.    If the transfer tax revenue is directed into a Community Preservation Fund, what open space parcels of land have been identified to benefit from preservation and for what purpose?

2.    The Town is proposing to use 10% of the revenues generated from the tax for administrative purposes, how will this increase the size of local government at a time when government spending on Long Island should be controlled or consolidated?

3.    The proposed transfer tax is a progressive tax that will be perpetuated on the residents of Brookhaven Township for 20 years, what if any accommodations are being made for middle-income working families, young homebuyers or senior citizens to exempt them from this tax?

4.    Brookhaven voters already approved a $100 million dollar bond issue to preserve open space, why is an additional $35 million in tax revenue for Community Preservation needed annually?

5.    What are the legal ramifications or consequences in the event that a buyer or seller is delinquent in paying the 2% transfer tax?

With less than five weeks until Election Day voters have a crucial decision to make whether to pull the lever with their conscience or with their pocketbooks. Long Islanders already pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation. The proposed 2% transfer tax on home sales will result in the flood gates of migration from Long Island emanating from the Town of Brookhaven. Protect your home from excessive taxes and stop the tax. Vote NO to this so-called "Community Preservation Fund." On November 6th, vote NO on Proposition #3.

For further information about this transfer tax, see www.stopthebrookhaventax.com

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