Rate Breakdown

Property taxes in Coös County are calculated by multiplying the assessed value (minus exemptions) by the total local millage rate.

How Property Tax Works in Coös County

In Coös County, property taxes are the primary funding source for local municipal services, including schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The tax amount is determined by two primary factors: the assessed value of your property and the local tax rate, often expressed as a millage rate or tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value.

Each municipality in Coös County conducts periodic property assessments to determine the "full and true value" of real estate. Once the total budget for the town, school district, and county is established, the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) calculates the tax rate required to raise the necessary funds. Your final tax bill is calculated by multiplying your property’s assessed value by the local tax rate and dividing by 1,000.

Available Exemptions

New Hampshire offers several state-mandated exemptions to help reduce the tax burden for eligible residents. These must generally be applied for through your local town or city office by the annual April 15th deadline:

• Elderly Exemption: Available to residents aged 65 and older who meet specific income and asset limitations set by the local municipality.
• Veteran’s Tax Credit: Offered to honorably discharged veterans who served during qualifying periods of war or armed conflict. Surviving spouses of veterans may also qualify.
• Disability Exemption: Available to individuals who are legally blind or have a permanent disability, provided they meet local income and asset requirements.
• Solar/Wind/Wood Heating Energy Exemptions: Many towns in Coös County offer exemptions for property owners who install renewable energy systems, such as solar panels or wind-powered devices.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

Property taxes in New Hampshire are billed twice annually. The first bill is typically sent in May and is due on or around July 1st; this represents an estimate based on half of the previous year's tax. The second bill is issued in the fall, reflecting the final tax rate set by the DRA, and is typically due in December.

Failure to pay by the stated deadline will result in interest charges, which accrue at a rate set by state statute. If taxes remain unpaid for an extended period, the municipality reserves the right to place a tax lien on the property, which can eventually lead to a tax deed and the potential loss of the property if the debt is not settled.

Appealing Your Assessment

If you believe your property has been over-assessed, you have the right to appeal. The process begins at the local level:

• Abatement Application: You must file a formal abatement application with your town’s Board of Assessors or Select Board by March 1st following the notice of tax.
• Local Review: The assessors will review your application and provide a written decision.
• Further Appeal: If the local board denies your request, you may appeal the decision to either the New Hampshire Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) or the Superior Court within a specified timeframe.