THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 24, 1996 TAG: 9610240004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 37 lines
I read with interest the Oct. 9 letter from John Bodi, ``Compromise on tuition.'' His suggestion that military personnel pay income taxes to Virginia or another state in order to take advantage of in-state tuition rates ignores several points:
1. Virginia has no right to question the tax policy of other states, nor they to question Virginia.
2. What about those states without an income tax?
3. What other benefits would military members receive for paying state income taxes?
Mr. Bodi should keep in mind that military members are not here by choice. We go where we are assigned and we do pay taxes. For instance, I pay property tax on my home in Virginia, but I cannot vote here as I am not a ``legal resident.'' I also pay state taxes on gasoline, even that purchased on base. In addition, I receive no tax break when I eat at a local restaurant.
In other words, I pay out much more in taxes and ``fees'' than I believe Mr. Bodi is aware of. In addition, most military move on when their tour is over and never draw any state benefits (welfare, unemployment, etc.) for which they have ``contributed'' through various taxes.
Mr. Bodi should also know that the reason most of us (I don't) keep our out-of-state plates is so we do not have to change them when we go home. My car is plated in Virginia and I do not pay state income taxes.
Some of us keep our cars registered in our home state in order to maintain our ``legal residence'' so we can vote. Keep in mind that the registration fee for military members who are nonresidents is much lower than it is in most of our home states. For instance, I pay $26 a year to Virginia. In California (my ``legal'' residence), I would pay 2 percent of the value of the car.
ANDREW WHITEHEAD
Virginia Beach, Oct. 10, 1996 by CNB