NH Department of Revenue Administration accepting property tax relief program applications through June 30

CONCORD — The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (NHDRA) announced the State’s annual Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief program is accepting applications through June 30. As an opportunity for taxpayers to receive hands-on assistance in completing applications, NHDRA is offering a workshop on June 5 at NHDRA offices in Concord. Since the Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief program launched in 2002, more than $43 million has been provided to taxpayers.

Application forms (Form DP-8) for 2019 are available on NHDRA’s website at www.revenue.nh.gov. Older versions of the form will not be accepted. Taxpayers with questions should call Taxpayer Services at (603) 230-5920.

“Last year, more than $1.2 million in property tax relief was distributed, resulting in an average of approximately $165 of State Education Property Tax relief per household,” said NHDRA Commissioner Lindsey Stepp. “This program was designed to lessen the economic burden of the State Education Property Tax on certain at-risk taxpayers and we hope that by offering in-person guidance, in addition to phone support, more New Hampshire taxpayers will be able to benefit from this annual 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, 2018.

Any taxpayer interested in receiving application form assistance is welcome to attend NHDRA’s Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief workshop on June 5. The workshop will be held at NHDRA’s office located in Governor Hugh Gallen State Office Park, 109 Pleasant Street (Medical & Surgical Building), Concord, NH 03301. Help will be available from 9am until noon.

Attendees should RSVP by sending an email to [email protected] or by calling Taxpayer Services at (603) 230-5920. Participants should bring photo identification, their final property tax bill, a copy of the 2018 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.