Sen. Kerry to pay taxes for docking yacht in RI

BOSTON -- Sen. John Kerry threw himself a life preserver on Tuesday, agreeing to pay Massachusetts for docking his new $7 million yacht in Rhode Island whether he owes the taxes or not.

“We’ve reached out to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and made clear that, whether owed or not, we intend to pay the equivalent taxes as if the boat’s home port were currently in Massachusetts. That payment is being made promptly,” said Sen. Kerry in a statement.

VIEWER VOICES: What do you think of Sen. John Kerry docking his boat in RI?

THE HILLER INSTINCT: Sen. Kerry's Yacht Taxes

By registering the yacht in Rhode Island, Kerry avoids close to $500,000 in Massachusetts state tax and user fees.

The issue quickly turned into a political hot potato.

“It looks to me like he’s avoided taxes by registering the boat down in Rhode Island,” said Mass. State Treasurer Tim Cahill, who is also a 2010 gubernatorial candidate.

"The only reason that John Kerry is paying his taxes is because he got caught," said Jennifer Nassour, the Chairperson of the Mass. Republican Party.

The question raising tax flags is whether Sen. Kerry brought his boat to his Nantucket home. Massachusetts law clearly states that if a citizen brings property to the Commonwealth within six months of purchase, they owe taxes on that property.

Just how promptly the taxes will be paid is unclear.

The Department of Revenue did not release a statement, saying it was against the law to publicly discuss a citizen’s private taxes.

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