Kerry On Yacht-Taxes Issue: 'Nothing More To Say'
Senator John Kerry found himself answering questions Monday about his new $7 million yacht and the controversy about where he's docking it.
"There's nothing more to say about it," he told reporters at an event at the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station Monday.
The "Isabel" is docked in Rhode Island rather than at Kerry's summer home on Nantucket or in Boston Harbor. That means he avoids paying nearly $500,000 in taxes to Massachusetts and he doesn't have to pay a $70,000-a-year excise tax...
..."Let's get this very straight, I've said consistently we will pay our taxes, we have always paid our taxes. It's not an issue period," he said.
Last week, when the Boston Herald broke the story, Kerry's office released a statement saying, "The boat was designed by and purchased from a company in Rhode Island, and it's based in Newport at the Newport Shipyard for long term maintenance, upkeep and charter purposes, not tax reasons."
"It's being worked on," Kerry said on Monday. "It's under warranty down there. It's being worked on and it will come to Massachusetts and I look forward to that."
Kerry's aide told WBZ Monday night that the senator will pay whatever taxes he owes on the Isabelle. She says the Department of Revenue will determine how much he owes.
KERRY'S EXIT
When asked "Did you berth the boat in Massachusetts?" he replied, "That depends on who owns it."
Then, he said to his driver, "Can I get out of here please?"
Kerry spokesperson David Wade said the vessel was designed by Rhode Island boat designer Ted Fontaine and purchased in the Ocean State. It was built in New Zealand by Friendship Yachts.
THE SALES TAX QUESTION
The Nantucket Boat Basin confirmed to WBZ on Monday that the Isabel has been docked at the marina "numerous" times this summer.
A spokesperson with the Department of Revenue who did not want to comment specifically on Kerry's case said ownership by an out-of-state corporation wouldn't matter. And, the law states if you bring the purchased property into the state within six months of buying it, you would be subject to the sales tax.
Coast Guard registration records show the vessel is owned by Great Point LLC, a limited liability corporation based in Pittsburgh, Heinz's longtime home.
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