THE HIGHEST AROUND

Here in NC, our governor recently raised the gas tax 6 cents per gallon, like gas isn't high enough. Add the federal gas tax of 18 cents, we're paying over 48 cents a gallon tax. The photo below is a sticker on a gas pump showing neighboring state rates. Now there's talk of adding tolls. Hey, if farmers can buy non-highway diesel for their tractors, I think the marinas should sell non-highway gas for our boats.

Reid the tightwad here: For many of us boaters across the country, dont' forget that some of our states allow us the ability to get a refund on this fuel tax. As a kid, my dad did this religiously, as I WENT thru some fuel. While I haven't been doing it, I will definitly be starting back this year. I've been told you must have all your original receipts, and for NC boaters you just send them in with the correct form you can find here; "www.dor.state.nc.us/forms" and it's form GAS-1201.   Since I didn't save my actual pump receipts I'm going to try filing anyway with my credit card statements. Find out if your state allows this. Thanks for bringing that to our attention Tim.     

Missouri (where I grew up) allows you to get a refund for fuel. Iowa (where I live now) does not.

On top of that if you read Iowa's laws regarding fuel taxes it says that the road tax portion of fuel consumed for marine use goes to a state "boating fund". It would be easy to keep track of gas sold at marina's for this fund but how on earth would you keep track of fuel sold at normal gas stations? They can't, therefore the state just doesn't want to give up the revenue.

Taxes are one of the big reasons I'd like to have a diesel ski boat. Fuel economy is the other. With a diesel I could fill up at my father-in-laws diesel barrel (off road fuel) for $.50 less than the pump. And a diesel will get 20-40% better fuel economy.

Your skiers would smell french fries instead of hydrocarbons.

A couple of solutions:
1. Recall that Tax-N-Spend Liberal Govenor and get every one you know to vote in the next election. Where's the money going by the way?
2. Buy stock in ExxonMobil, Shell or ConnocoPhillips. Everybody but Exxon shareholders complain about the profits Exxon is making.
3. Support Ethanol and Bio-diesel and other alternative fuels. I'm tired of those Middle Eastern Bastards (Yes, Ishmael, son of Haagar was the bastard child of Abraham, making them all bastards)holding us hostage.
Good news is West Texas Intermediate Crude Futures were down today. That may give us a break at the pump, until the refineries start converting to Summer Fuel and the increased demands of summer hit.
Wow...that was a lot to digest. But the above and $4 will get you a small cup of coffee at the local Starbucks. Goodnight

Nasty taxes to be sure Tim, but not even in the top ten in the US. See the following:
http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/1054.html

BKH

they may not be build refineries for gasoline but they have a lot of E85 refineries going up in the midwest.

Reid, thanks for the form site. I think I'll do it this year. I know a guy who cuts a lot of grass, and he does it and he said it adds up quick. As for Canada, we get 10% of our oil and 15% from Venezuela. Venezuela had their little uprising summer before last and gas jumped to 1.59