Issues

The Brookhaven Transfer Tax

The town is seeking to place a 2% Transfer tax on the sale of homes in Brookhaven on the ballot this November 6, 2007. That's right, your taxes keep going up and now the politicians want to place a new tax on our homes. The Brookhaven Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, Inc. vehemently oppose real estate transfer taxes at all levels of government. This is a very harmful tax that makes buying and selling a home more costly, thus taking away from families and individuals - the many benefits of home ownership.

Transfer taxes (aka. Community Preservation Funds) are an inequitable funding source for the town. We're not against open space preservation, but rather the mechanism by which they are funding this. It would be wiser to offset the cost of this program in a more equitable means. Taxing the equity in YOUR home is a bad idea. The same equity you plan to use for your next home, to send your children to college or for your retirement. Let the politicians know this November 6th that reducing taxes is YOUR top priority.

Transfer taxes put up unnecessary barriers and impedes home ownership, especially for the first time home buyer and seniors. This tax proposal provides no exemptions for seniors and middle income taxpayers in Brookhaven who have paid their real estate taxes each year and then must pay thousands of dollars more when selling their home. Although the literature promoted by the Town characterizes the responsibility for payment of this tax as belonging to the buyer- DON'T BE FOOLED! The proposed tax provides circumstances (ie. the buyer refuses to pay) where the Seller will be held accountable for payment of the tax. For buyers, transfer taxes are harmful because it adds the to the biggest obstacle of home ownership- the strain to accumulate the down payment in closing costs. This burden is now significantly increased with no reasonable, foreseeable return.

For sellers, properties are less desirable to the buyers because it will cost less to purchase the home in surrounding Townships. The full burden is borne by a few to support expenditures that benefit the entire community. Long Islanders already pay high enough property taxes and an additional transfer tax just adds to the price of owning a home!

Tell the Brookhaven politicians that their tax is for the birds. Protect your nest egg and vote NO to the Brookhaven Transfer Tax!

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the proposed real estate tax increase.

Click here to learn more about the FACTS of the proposed real estate tax proposal.

Click here for News Articles about the Brookhaven Transfer Tax.