Home State Tax New Hampshire Tax

New Hampshire Tax

FULL List to New Hampshire Tax Forms

Individual Income Tax Forms

Form New Hampshire Individual Tax Return

Corporate Income Tax Forms

Form New Hampshire Business Tax Return

Form New Hampshire Business Profit Tax Return

Property Tax Forms

Exemption Form

Form PA-29 Permanent Application for Property Tax Credit-Exemption

New Hampshire tax encompasses various areas of daily life. Aside from filing the basic necessities of New Hampshire income tax, one must also be familiar with aspects of New Hampshire tax that they may bypass on their way to their own tax returns.

Examples of such taxes include a tobacco tax, excavation tax, and electricity consumption tax. In addition, aside from these taxes, there also exists relief when concerning low/moderate income homeowners property tax.

When New Hampshire tax references tobacco tax, you must be familiar with the requirement of stamps. All cigarette packages must be stamped through a heating process. If, however, the packaging does not provide enough space for the stamp, wholesalers or retailers must keep documentation that states the quantity of the cigarettes as well as must submit reports each month to the department, which must consist of the manufacturer invoice as well as the tax that had been calculated previously according to each quantity.

In general, taxes are specified in terms of packs of 20 cigarettes versus that of 25, and the same goes for “smokeless” tobacco products. Tax liability will be imposed upon the individual or party involved in such proceedings connected with the collection of taxes on tobacco products. In terms of New Hampshire tax law when imposed upon excavation of public lands, taxes must be paid by individuals who possess rights to excavate the land, purchased those rights, or had excavated the land themselves.

Exemptions do exist when concerning excavation, however. Specifications include excavation within the parameters of 1000 cubic yards, excavation of a public land where the earth taken up will, then, be used to modify another piece of land or “right of way.” Additional qualifications must also occur, however, such as that land not be sold, as well as it be under the ownership of governing bodies such as the federal or state government.

Electricity consumption tax according to New Hampshire law, specific calculations must be derived from the acquirement of how much kilowatts are consumed each hour. According to specifications set forth by New Hampshire tax law, distributing companies must set forth how much each of their consumers had made use of for each month of service.

In addition, they must do so through avenues other than that of the meter devices. The companies will also determine their own electrical energy used in manufacturing or distribution. Taxes will be distributed to consumers as is specified from each company by law. The filing of electricity consumption tax returns must occur in concurrence as well. In the event where customers have been delinquent on their payments, distribution companies may acquire deductions on their electricity consumption tax returns.

In reference to a type of relief that may be available according to New Hampshire tax law, tax relief may be filed for low/moderate income homeowners property tax between May 1st and June 30th. Filers must include all pertinent data relating to themselves and any individuals under that household.

All data must be legitimate and true since penalties do exist for the following examples of untrue statements: “understatement of household income, claiming of multiple households, and inclusion of property outside the definition of ‘homestead’.”


Introduction

New Hampshire has been known for its low taxes, no sales tax, and no personal income tax for a long time, attracting many residents and businesses. The state’s low tax policy is a result of a unique system that has been used by New Hampshire to fund its state and local governments. However, changes in the taxation policy in recent years have left residents wondering whether this unique system will stand the test of time.

In this article, we will dive into the history of how New Hampshire established its no-income tax reputation, as well as look into the current tax landscape in the state. We will examine how taxes are levied in the state, the different types of taxes, and the impact of tax policies on businesses and residents. We’ll also explore the prospects for future tax policy changes.

History

Before diving into the current state of New Hampshire’s tax policy, it is worth looking at how it established its reputation as a state with no income or sales taxes.

The state’s low tax policy can be traced back to the American Revolution era. New Hampshire was one of the original 13 colonies, and by the time of the revolution, it had become an industrial powerhouse. The state was involved in shipbuilding, logging, and textile manufacturing. The state’s economy was booming, and the state had plenty of resources to fund its operations without levying taxes on its residents. The state relied on revenue from fishing and trade and taxed non-essential items such as rum and cigarettes.

However, during the 19th century, this reliance on non-essential taxes proved to be unsustainable. The federal government began to impose tariffs on goods, which led to a decline in New Hampshire’s ability to rely on trade. A series of reforms in the early 20th century led to more progressive taxation policies across the country, but New Hampshire still did not impose income or sales taxes.

The state’s current tax system is a result of a unique approach that was put in place in 1930. The state’s constitution was amended, and an agreement was put in place that required local municipalities to fund themselves without relying on state funding. This agreement, known as the “”New Hampshire Advantage,”” made it impossible for the state to impose an income tax, as doing so would have required a constitutional amendment.

Current Tax Landscape

New Hampshire’s tax system is still relatively unique today. The state’s sales tax is zero percent, and the state doesn’t charge income tax on salaries and wages. However, there are still some types of taxes that New Hampshire charges.

Property Tax

New Hampshire’s property tax rates are among the highest in the country. The state’s property tax is a primary source of funding for local governments and is used to pay for schools, police, fire departments, and other local services. Property taxes are based on the value of the assessed property.

Business Taxes

Business taxes play a significant role in the state’s tax revenue. The state has a Business Profits Tax (BPT) and a Business Enterprise Tax (BET). The BPT is based on the net income of a business, while the BET is based on a business’s total compensation, gross revenues, and property taxes paid. These taxes serve as New Hampshire’s primary revenue source for funding state government operations.

Room and Meals Tax

Another significant source of revenue for New Hampshire is the Room and Meals Tax. The tax is levied at a rate of 9% on sales of prepared meals and rooms, such as hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts. The tax revenue generated from the Room and Meals Tax is used to fund the state’s travel and tourism industry and the Department of Cultural Resources.

Interest & Dividend Tax

The state also imposes an Interest & Dividends Tax, which is a 5% tax on interest and dividend income over $2,400 per year for individuals, or $4,800 for married couples filing jointly. This tax was put in place to help the state pay for education and other local services.

Impact of Taxes on Residents and Businesses

New Hampshire has long been a state that has attracted businesses and residents with its low-tax reputation. The state’s unique tax structure has certainly been a factor in this attraction.

However, the high property tax rates in the state have been a cause for concern for some residents. In particular, high property tax rates have put a burden on retirees, leading some to consider moving to states with lower property tax rates.

The state’s business tax policies have been a source of much debate in recent years. Many policymakers have argued that the state’s business taxes are too high and are a hindrance to economic growth. New Hampshire has made some changes to its business tax policies in recent years to address these concerns, including reducing the Business Profits Tax from 8.5% in 2016 to 7.7% in 2021.

Meanwhile, the Interest & Dividend Tax has been criticized as a tax on retirees, who depend on this type of income for their livelihood. Some residents have advocated for a full repeal of this tax or an increase in the exemption threshold.

Future Prospects for Tax Policy Changes

As with any tax policy, there is always the possibility of change. Different interest groups and political leaders are always pushing for changes to the current tax system, either to make it more equitable or to increase revenue.

In New Hampshire, it is unlikely that the state will ever impose a sales or income tax, given its unique constitutional arrangements and political climate. However, it is possible that in the future revenue needs of the state or local municipalities may lead to an increase in some taxes, such as the property tax.

On the business tax front, the state may continue to reduce the Business Profits Tax rate to attract more businesses to the state. The Interest & Dividend Tax will likely continue to be a point of contention, with some looking to increase the exemption threshold, while others argue for a full repeal.

Conclusion

New Hampshire’s low-tax reputation has been a significant factor in attracting residents and businesses to the state. However, the high property tax rates have become a concern for some residents, particularly retirees. Businesses have also raised concerns about the state’s business tax policies and their effect on economic growth.

While there is always the possibility of policy changes, it seems unlikely that New Hampshire will change its no-sales-tax and no-income-tax policy in the near future, given the unique constitutional arrangements and political climate in the state. Nevertheless, policymakers will continue to evaluate the state’s tax policies to ensure that they are fair and equitable.