Jrc--
While it is understandable that nobody wants to put those south-Nashua employees out of work, repressing a sales tax in order to keep them working is not the solution anymore than keeping the current federal tax system in place is necessary to keep the accountants and lawyers employed. The market would adjust. Besides, I'm sure you're aware that those MA-based buyers that are avoiding a sales tax by shopping in NH are actually evading that MA sales tax.
The income tax is the fairest, but the scariest because Concord will likely add the tax then "work-out" the appropriate reduction and relief for property owners. Otherwise, it at least is based upon your ability to pay.
The sales tax is a point-of-purchase decision. If you can't afford the car with the GPS and on-board video system for the kids when the tax is added, then that's a decision you can make.
The property tax doesn't care if you're unemployed, or retiring, or that your neighbors just built a mcmansion while you chose to keep your property as a camp, or that the cost of living increases are only 3% vs the value of your property at 20 or 30%, or that you inherited it from your parents or grandparents.
...just a thought or two...
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