The Purpose of the Tax Collection Office is to assure safe and accurate collection and timely deposit of town monies while serving customers in a professional and courteous manner.
The Tax Collector is responsible for the preparation and mailing of the tax bills based on information contained on the current tax roll certified by the Assessing Department.
The Assessing Department is responsible for the preparation of the tax roll, assessed values, exemptions, owner's name and address, address changes and the legal description of the property.Real Estate Taxes
The property tax year runs from April 1 through March 31. Property taxes are based on the assessed value of your property on April 1 of each tax year.
South Hampton issues tax bills twice a year to cover the tax year of April 1 to March 31. The first bill is mailed on or before June 1st and is due in early July. The second bill is mailed on or before November 1st and is due in early December. The tax rate is not set until the Fall of each year and is set by the State of New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. So the first bill you receive, in late May or early June, is an estimate using the previous year's tax rate. The second bill you receive, in November, has the new tax rate applied to the current assessed value, which is based on the status of the property as of April 1st.
The total taxes for the year is comprised of the first and second bill. Interest is due starting the day after the bills are due at a rate of 12% per annum, pro-rated on a daily rate, in accordance with NH law. If your taxes have not been paid by the due date please contact this office for a payoff figure.
We accept these forms of payment:Personal Checks,Cashier Checks ,Money Orders ,Bank Checks, and Cash,
Tax Payers Responsibility:
It is the responsibility of the owner to know that taxes are due and payable twice a year. If an owner has not received a bill for each property owned they should contact the tax office. If you have a mortgage company that pays your taxes, please forward a copy of the bill to them.
It is also the responsibility of the tax payer to notify the tax and assessing office in writing of a change in mailing address for the tax bill. Please forward that information to Town of South Hampton 3 Hilldale Avenue, South Hampton,NH 03827
Taxpayers desiring any information in regard to assessment, exemptions, veteran’s credit or change in address should refer all inquiries to the assessors’ office. Property Tax Liens Tax liens are placed on property if all or any portion of your taxes are not paid by March following your December bill. Once the lien is place on your property, the interest rate changes from 12% to 18% per annum, pro-rated on a daily rate. A lien placed on your property means that you may not sell your home until this is paid off. If the lien is not paid in full, by two years and one day after the lien is place, your property will be deed to the town of South Hampton.
Tax Liens
After the due date on the Notice of Arrearage, the Tax Collector’s office begins the lien process. At least thirty days prior to the execution of the lien, a Notice of Impending Lien, (RSA 80:60) is sent to the last known owner of the property via certified mail, return receipt requested. This notice includes principal, interest and costs up to the date of the lien. The returned receipt or the unclaimed notice serves as evidence that the town mailed the Notice of Impending Lien and has met all of the requirements of the law. The cost of the certified mailing is also added to the delinquent account.
If the taxes remain unpaid after the date and time given for final payment on the Notice of Impending Lien, the Tax Collector’s office places a lien on the property. All principal, interest and costs are combined to form the principal amount of the lien and the cost of the execution of the lien (RSA 80:81) is added to the total amount due. Interest begins at 18% interest (RSA 80:69) on the unpaid balance until the lien is paid in full. The lien is recorded at the Registry of Deeds and a title search is done. A Certified letter is sent to each lien holder notifying him or her of the lien. An administrative cost (RSA 80:67) of $10.00 as well as any additional expenses incurred as a result of the title search are added to the cost of notifying mortgagees. Taxpayers should also be aware that if the town places a lien on their property, it becomes part of their credit report and remains there for seven years after it is paid.
When full payment of a Lien is made, the Release of Lien will automatically be sent within thirty days to the Rockingham County Register Of Deeds
Exemption Applications
All persons desiring to apply for any exemptions must fill out a permanent application form (State Form PA29) and the appropriate worksheet: and send it to the Assessing Department by April 15th of the tax year in the year in which application is made. Further information may be obtained from the Assessing Department at 394-7696.
Timber Tax / Yield Tax:
If you intend to cut timber and the cut will be more than 10 MBF of sawlogs and 20 cords of fuel wood for personal use, then you will need to file a Notice of Intent to Cut Timber which you need to file with the Selectmen's Office prior to cutting. (Reference RSA79:10)
For more information regarding New Hampshire statutes for property taxes, visit the NH Revenue Administration at: http://www.nh.gov/revenue/
