New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration Launches Property Tax Relief Program

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (NHDRA) announced the launch of the State’s annual Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief program and is accepting applications through June 30, 2018. New this year, NHDRA is offering two opportunities for interested taxpayers to receive hands-on assistance in completing applications during workshops on May 22 and June 21 at NHDRA offices in Concord.

Application forms (Form DP-8) for 2018 are available on NHDRA’s website at www.revenue.nh.gov. Older versions of the form will not be accepted. Last year, $1.4 million in property tax relief was distributed, resulting in an average of approximately $175 of State Education Property Tax relief per household.

“Since the Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief program was launched in 2002, more than $40 million has been provided to lessen the economic burden of the State Education Property Tax for at-risk taxpayers,” said Lindsey Stepp, NHDRA Commissioner. “The goal is to provide as much support as possible to taxpayers, and we are hopeful that by providing in-person guidance and assistance during these workshops, more New Hampshire taxpayers will be able to benefit from this program.”

An eligible applicant for Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief is a person who is:

• Single with adjusted gross income equal or less than $20,000; or
• Married or head of New Hampshire household with adjusted gross income less than or equal to $40,000; and
• Owns a homestead subject to the State Education Property Tax; and
• Has resided in that homestead as of April 1, 2017.

NHDRA will be offering two Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief workshops where taxpayers can have their questions answered and receive assistance completing their application forms. Workshops will be held on Tuesday, May 22, from 9 AM until noon, and Thursday, June 21, from 1 PM until 3:30 PM. Both workshops will be held at NHDRA’s office located in Governor Hugh Gallen State Office Park, 109 Pleasant Street (Medical & Surgical Building), Concord, NH 03301. Attendees should RSVP by sending an e-mail to forms@dra.nh.gov or calling Taxpayer Services at (603) 230-5920. Participants should bring photo identification, their final property tax bill, a copy of the 2017 federal income tax return for each member of the household, and for a property held in trust, a copy of the trust documentation.

NHDRA provided the following tips to homeowners considering applying for the program:

• One of the most common reasons an applicant may see a delay in the response to their application is due to lack of proper attachments. Completed claim forms must be accompanied by a copy of the final tax bill from the municipality where the applicant resides along with a copy of the applicant’s federal income tax return (1040-EZ, 1040A, etc.).
• Applicants are reminded that NHDRA is a state taxing agency and cannot determine an individual’s federal tax liability. If applicants are unsure whether they are required to file federally, they may contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
• If an applicant is not required to file with the IRS, they should check the box on the Form DP-8 indicating this.
• Homesteads held in trust must also be verified by submission of the trust document, but may still qualify for relief.

Many New Hampshire libraries allow residents to utilize their internet services to complete and print Form DP-8 for submission by mail. Residents who do not have internet access may request Form DP-8 by calling NHDRA’s Forms Line at (603) 230-5001.
Granite State residents can find more information about the Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief program and check the status of their application on DRA’s website.

About the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration

The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (NHDRA) is responsible for fairly and efficiently administering the tax laws of the State of New Hampshire. NHDRA collects approximately 80% of New Hampshire’s general taxes. During Fiscal Year 2017, DRA collected $1.5 billion in revenue for the New Hampshire General Fund and Education Trust Fund. DRA also provides assistance to municipalities in budgeting, finance and real estate appraisal.

NHDRA administers and collects the following taxes at the state level: Business Enterprise Tax, Business Profits Tax, Communications Services Tax, Electricity Consumption Tax, Interest and Dividends Tax, Meals and Rooms Tax, Medicaid Enhancement Tax, Nursing Facility Quality Assessment, Tobacco Tax, Taxation of Railroads, Utility Property Tax, Real Estate Transfer Tax; and the following taxes at the local level: Property Tax, Excavation Tax, Timber Tax. To learn more about NHDRA, please visit www.revenue.nh.gov.

Media Contact: 
Grace Ames 
603.644.3200 x18 
games@montagnecom.com

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