HB 1648 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-3178
07/06
HOUSE BILL 1648
AN ACT providing property tax exemptions for qualifying residences.
SPONSORS: Rep. Luneau, Merr. 9; Rep. Ames, Ches. 13; Rep. Oppel, Graf. 9; Rep. D. Paige, Carr. 1
COMMITTEE: Ways and Means
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ANALYSIS
This bill creates a homestead property tax exemption for owner-occupied primary residences.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-3178
07/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT providing property tax exemptions for qualifying residences.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Owner-Occupied Residence Tax Relief. Amend RSA 72 by inserting after section 87 the following new subdivision:
Owner-Occupied Residence Tax Relief
72:88 Purpose. The purpose of this subdivision is to provide a property tax exemption of up to $300,000 for owner-occupied primary residences within the state of New Hampshire, to promote homeownership and provide property tax relief.
72:89 Definitions. As used in this subdivision:
I. "Homestead" means a residential property owned and occupied by the owner as their primary residence, including the land and improvements thereon.
II. "Owner-occupied primary residence" means property in which the owner resides for more than 6 months of the year and uses as their primary dwelling.
III. "Owner" refers to an individual or married couple who hold legal title to the property.
72:90 Eligibility. To qualify for a homestead exemption under RSA 72:91, an applicant shall be required to:
I. Own and occupy the property as their primary residence by January 1 of the preceding tax year.
II. File a complete and timely application with the resident's local assessor’s office.
III. Be a legal resident of New Hampshire.
72:91 Exemption Value. A homestead exemption of up to $300,000 shall be deducted from the assessed valuation of an eligible property subject to the uniform statewide education property tax under RSA 76:8. The department of revenue administration shall calculate the tax warrant for each municipality, pursuant to RSA 76:8, based on each municipality's valuation as a proportion of the statewide valuation, net of the valuation exempted under this subdivision.
72:92 Application Process.
I. Property owners seeking the exemption under RSA 72:91 shall submit an application to their local assessor’s office by April 15 of each tax year.
II. The application shall include proof of ownership, residency, and any other documentation deemed necessary by the local assessor.
III. The local assessor shall approve or deny applications within 30 days of receipt.
72:93 Effect of Exemption. The exemption under RSA 72:91 shall reduce the taxable assessed value of the property by the amount of the exemption, thereby lowering the property tax owed.
72:94 Limitations. The exemption allowed under RSA 72:91:
I. Shall not apply to properties that are rented, used for commercial purposes, or owned by corporations, partnerships, or non-residents.
II. Shall not exceed $300,000 or the assessed value of the property, whichever is less.
III. May be claimed cumulatively with any other homestead exemptions offered by law.
72:95 Administration. The department of revenue administration and local assessors may implement rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, for purposes of administering this subdivision.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
Dec. 10, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Ways and Means