Applying for a property tax abatement in New Hampshire involves a few steps. Here’s a general guide to help you through the process:
1. **Determine Eligibility**: Ensure you have a valid reason for requesting an abatement, such as an error in the property assessment, damage to the property, or a significant difference in the opinion of value. The state law says that your assessment must be based on the fair market value so you must show evidence that it does not. Thornton residents have challenged and had their assessments reduced by showing that the assessor (Avitar) did not use recent sales that would have suppressed the assessment.
2. **Obtain the Application Form**: You can find the abatement application form on the [New Hampshire Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) website] TAXPAYER’S RSA 76:16 ABATEMENT APPLICATION TO MUNICIPALITY
3. **Complete the Application**: Fill out the application form with accurate and detailed information. Make sure to include any supporting documentation, such as property appraisals or evidence of damage.
4. **Submit the Application**: File the completed application with your local municipality by the deadline. The deadline is typically March 1 following the notice of tax, but it can vary depending on when the final tax bill was sent.
5. **Municipality Review**: The municipality will review your application and issue a decision by July 1 following the notice of tax. If the municipality does not respond, the application is considered “deemed denied”.
6. **Appeal if Necessary**: If your abatement request is denied, you can file an appeal with the BTLA or the Superior Court. The appeal must be filed no earlier than the municipality’s decision or July 1, and no later than September 1 following the notice of tax.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the [NH Department of Revenue Administration website] (https://www.revenue.nh.gov/about-dra/municipal-and-property-division/property-bureau/property-tax-abatement-appeal-process).
Our Representatve to Congress in NH: Heather Baldwin. I have tried to contact this rep. by email, facebook messenger and leaving a telephone voice mail. She has NEVER gotten back to me. Interestingly enough, she sent me a Christmas card in 2024 with a note that said she hopes we can work together. Since then, I decided I would contact her by mail and keep copies. I have requested that she put a bill on the Floor of the house to amend the Tax Laws in NH to tax air B & B’s bread and breakfasts, and those such as these, as COMMERCIAL Properties, having all that tax monies go to the school . Currently they are taxed the same as you and me, residential. NO RESPONSE VIA MAIL FROM HER. I have also sent a second mailing to her with a follow up asking if she has developed a bill and put it on the Floor of the House as well as several other things. NO RESPONSE. We don’t have a representative in Thornton, at least she is not my representative. So, please post her if you have tried to reach her and she has responded, and how you got a response from her.
In regard to property tax abatements, I want you all to know, that when the new assessments came out, I contacted the town and had an appointment with AVITAR’s employee and discussed with the person from AVITAR about our assessment. He went through it all and told me that our home has been assessed with TWO KITCHENS for several/many years. We have an 1100 sq ft small home, and it would be nearly impossible to have two kitchens. He gave us back $3,400 on the tax assessment. When I did research, the LEAST expensive Kitchen was $10,000, and then it went UP FROM THERE. $3,400 is not acceptable, however, we were denied the abatement. I have since sent a letter to the town offices to put me on the Select-people’s agenda for this issue. I have NOT heard back as of this writing. So, don’t expect to get a favorable abatement even though you may deserve one.