Chilmark Considering Short-Term Rental Tax Hike

Thomas Humphrey Friday, July 28 2023 - 10:37am

At Tuesday's select board meeting, the housing committee proposed raising the lodging tax and committing the new funds to affordable housing.

Chilmark voters may weigh in on increasing the town’s short-term rental tax from 4 to 6 per cent at the next annual town meeting.

At Tuesday's select board meeting, the housing committee proposed raising the lodging tax and committing the new funds to affordable housing.

Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, Tisbury and Aquinnah all have the rate set at 6 per cent, the highest allowed under the state statute allowing municipalities to put a tax on short-term rental properties. Edgartown and Chilmark both have the rate set at 4 per cent.

Allison Parry, the housing committee member who presented the proposal at the board meeting on July 25th, said the committee was asking for $200,000 of the tax – the projected revenue from increasing the tax – to be put toward the town’s affordable housing trust.

“I think we should have a public hearing to get input, then I think we should vote whether or not to put it before the voters,” said select board member Bill Rossi.

The board resolved to initiate that hearing process, but did not set specific dates at the meeting on Tuesday.

Comments

No one likes to pay taxes but

Bob Edgartown

No one likes to pay taxes but there are plenty of people out there who like to create new tax schemes. In this case add to one that is only a few years old. Keep in mind they never go down and never go away.

Rentals are down

tom Boston

Rentals are down significantly and the solution is to raise taxes?? Don't you think the current taxes, which are significant, are part of the cause? If I were a restaurant owner I would be dead set against raising this tax.

So when does affordable

Jason OB

So when does affordable housing actually get built? Lots of money set aside, but little construction.

Affordable housing is a myth.

Albert Gosnold

Affordable housing is a myth.
The only thing that makes a house affordable is a subsidy.
How much Section Eight Subsidized Housing does the Island want?
New Bedford has thousands of units, they are so pretty.

I know this looks easy. "Don

Mr. B Chilmark

I know this looks easy. "Don't tax me; don't tax thee. Tax the guy behind the tree." They don't live here. They are just visitors; we won't pay the tax but will reap the benefits. And it's that apparent easiness that worries me. It looks like free money; and maybe it is in a strong economy. But if there is a bit of a recession (and rentals are softer this year), maybe people will choose to go elsewhere, somewhere where their money will go further. And if price is a concern, then it's the Chilmark owners/residents who will be reducing their rents (and income) to compete. Will the town reduce its tax as well?

I love all 3 comments....my

Michael edgartown

I love all 3 comments....my guests are telling me that they are done with the ferry, high priced restaurants, which aren't very good, and crappy weather....oh, nothing to do for the kids.

The ferry is a love hate part

Actual resident OB

The ferry is a love hate part of the Island. I've lived here year round for almost 30 years. The restaurants have gone down hill. My husband and I used to eat out at least once a week, now it's a few times a year. The last trip was to our old fave in VH, the bill for lunch was almost $70, no drinks and the food was blah. The positive, when we vacation anywhere else, the cost of food is usually lower then here and the food is so much better.

If the Island is so bad why

Albert Gosnold

If the Island is so bad why are you continuing to stay?
You can find cheaper and better food.
Hit the road, stop wasting your money.

Lots to consider here. Rental

Harriet West Tis/Chilmark

Lots to consider here. Rental inquiries are the same as other years; rental inventory has increased 25%. People who bought houses during the pandemic are now able to travel and are renting out their houses.

Many rental property owners rent out their primary residence for the major part of their yearly income. To do this shuffle every summer is a large burden for them and their families. Renting out a secondary home might be taken into consideration differently.

Please, let’s always consider our local community first. They are an endangered species.

Now that the Town Meeting has

Joan safford Chilmark

Now that the Town Meeting has voted to raise the short term rental tax portion four Chilmarke from 4% to 6%, when does it become effective. I already have signed leases for my 2024 tenants using the 4% figure.