1. What is the BROOKHAVEN TRANSFER TAX a/k/a The Community Preservation
Fund?
The Transfer Tax or Community Preservation
Fund is a 2% TAX that is collected by the Town of Brookhaven
on the sale of your home.
2. Who pays for the TAX?
EVERYONE! When you buy or sell your home you will be forced
to pay the money for this tax. The Tax proposal clearly
makes this tax the LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY of both the buyer and seller. In
the event the buyer does not pay the tax, the SELLER MUST PAY THE
TAX! Senior citizens will have to pay thousands more in new
taxes when they decide to sell their home to retire. Your
children won’t be able to afford to live in Brookhaven. Everyone
gets a chance to pay this tax.
3. How long does this tax last?
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, BUT THIS TAX LASTS TWENTY
(20) YEARS!!! YOU
GET THE CHANCE TO PAY THIS TAX OVER AND OVER AGAIN IF YOU
WANT TO BUY OR SELL A HOUSE IN BROOKHAVEN.
4. Who gets to spend all this money?
Due to a loophole in the law, the politicians
will be able to spend YOUR money anyway they want without YOUR
approval for the next twenty (20) years. So relax and enjoy this tax. It
is estimated that this tax will generate 35 MILLION dollars in
year ONE. Over twenty years this will add up to 700 MILLION
dollars. Ask your local politician if they plan to borrow
against this fund, in which case the TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN WILL HAVE
OVER A BILLION DOLLARS OF TAXPAYERS MONEY TO SPEND. This
new tax will open the floodgates for BIGGER GOVERNMENT and
MORE WASTE.
5. Why is the Brookhaven Transfer Tax the wrong solution?
Long Island and Brookhaven already have the
highest taxes in the nation. This new tax will further increase property taxes. Brookhaven
voters already approved a $100 million dollar bond issue for open
space acquisition two years ago. Nearly half of the Town’s
land is already off the tax rolls, yet our taxes continue to go
up. The Town does not manage the open space that it currently
owns. Where is all this money going? Ten percent
(10%) of the monies pay for ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES and APPOINTEES
to run and manage the program.
6. Why is this tax wrong for me?
The Town of Brookhaven will have 2% stake
in the equity of your home. As the value of your home grows the cost of the tax
increases. If you ever decide to move within the Town of
Brookhaven, you’ll get taxed again and again for the next
20 years. There’s no escaping this tax.
7. What can I do to help defeat the Real Estate Transfer Tax (a/k/a
Community Preservation Fund) on the ballot this November 6, 2007?
You can help stop the Brookhaven Transfer Tax by:
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Join us and our fight against this new
tax. There’s
strength in numbers. Sign up for our e-mail updates. Our
e-updates will keep you educated and informed on this important
issue. Let us know if you want a bumper sticker,
lawn sign or just information. Thank you.
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Urge your
friends and neighbors to join us by signing up for e-updates
on our website.
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Contact your elected officials and
let them know you think this tax is a BAD IDEA. See
our website on how to contact your local politician.
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MOST
IMPORTANTLY, VOTE “NO” TO THE BROOKHAVEN
TRANSFER TAX THIS NOVEMBER 6, 2007. Every vote
counts, and we need YOUR vote to stop this new TAX. Protect
your equity and your home.
