New Hampshire State Tax Guide for Businesses & Individuals 2026
New Hampshire stands out as one of the most tax-competitive states in the nation, imposing no general sales tax, no personal income tax on wages, and offering a business-friendly environment anchored by its Business Profits Tax, Business Enterprise Tax, and a well-structured set of incentives designed to support growth, innovation, and job creation across the Granite State. This comprehensive guide covers all major New Hampshire state tax obligations for 2026, including business taxes, interest and dividends tax phase-out, payroll, property tax, and available credits. For a complete overview of US business tax compliance solutions, discover how businesses across every state stay fully compliant and penalty-free.
Quick Reference: New Hampshire Tax Rates at a Glance
| Tax Type | Rate / Details |
|---|
| State Corporate Income Tax (BPT) | 7.5% Business Profits Tax on net income over $92,000 (2026) |
| State Individual Income Tax | No tax on wages or salaries; Interest and Dividends Tax fully repealed effective January 1, 2025 |
| State Sales Tax Base Rate | None — New Hampshire does not impose a general sales tax |
| Average Combined Sales Tax | 0% (no state or local sales tax) |
| Unemployment Insurance (SUI/SUTA) | 0.10%–8.50%; New employer: 2.70% |
| Effective Property Tax Rate (avg.) | 1.93% of assessed value — among the highest nationally |
| Estate / Inheritance Tax | No — New Hampshire does not impose an estate or inheritance tax |
New Hampshire Business Tax Nexus
What is Tax Nexus in New Hampshire?
Nexus in New Hampshire determines whether your business has a sufficient connection to the state to be subject to New Hampshire's Business Profits Tax (BPT) and Business Enterprise Tax (BET). Because New Hampshire has no general sales tax, nexus for sales tax purposes is not applicable. However, businesses with physical or economic presence in New Hampshire must evaluate their BPT and BET obligations carefully.
Physical Nexus
- Maintaining an office, store, warehouse, or place of business in New Hampshire
- Having employees, agents, contractors, or sales representatives operating within the state
- Storing inventory in New Hampshire, including through FBA or third-party fulfillment centers
- Operating vehicles, equipment, or machinery within New Hampshire
- Performing installation, construction, repair, or other services within New Hampshire borders
Economic Nexus (Remote Sellers)
| Threshold Type | Details |
|---|
| Sales Tax Nexus | Not applicable — New Hampshire has no general sales tax and no economic nexus sales tax threshold |
| BPT / BET Nexus | Businesses with gross business receipts exceeding $92,000 in New Hampshire are subject to BPT and BET filing requirements |
| Effective Date | New Hampshire BPT and BET nexus standards have been in place; threshold amounts adjusted annually by the Department of Revenue Administration |
Click-Through and Affiliate Nexus
New Hampshire does not impose a general sales tax and therefore does not enforce click-through or affiliate nexus for sales tax collection purposes. Out-of-state businesses with referral arrangements involving New Hampshire residents are not required to collect New Hampshire sales tax as no such tax exists. However, businesses generating business income from New Hampshire customers may be subject to BPT and BET obligations depending on their apportioned New Hampshire gross receipts and enterprise value tax base.
New Hampshire State Income Tax
Business Profits Tax (BPT)
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| BPT Rate (2026) | 7.5% on New Hampshire taxable business profits |
| Filing Threshold | Businesses with gross business income exceeding $92,000 must file a BPT return; those below the threshold are exempt |
| Apportionment Formula | Single Sales Factor (New Hampshire uses a sales-only apportionment for most businesses) |
| Combined / Unitary Reporting | New Hampshire requires combined reporting for unitary business groups with nexus in New Hampshire |
| Minimum Tax | No minimum BPT; however, BET functions as a minimum floor tax for businesses with enterprise value tax base or gross receipts exceeding thresholds |
Business Enterprise Tax (BET)
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| BET Rate (2026) | 0.55% on the enterprise value tax base (compensation, interest, and dividends paid) |
| Filing Threshold | Businesses with gross receipts over $250,000 or enterprise value tax base over $250,000 must file |
| BET Credit Against BPT | BET paid may be credited against BPT liability; excess BET credit carries forward for 5 years |
| Entities Subject to BET | All business organizations including corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietors carrying on business activity in New Hampshire |
Individual Income Tax
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| Wages and Salaries Tax | None — New Hampshire does not tax earned income, wages, or salaries |
| Interest and Dividends Tax | Fully repealed effective January 1, 2025 — no tax on interest or dividend income in 2026 |
| Capital Gains Tax | None — New Hampshire does not tax capital gains at the state level |
| Standard Deduction | Not applicable — no individual income tax in New Hampshire |
| Personal Exemption | Not applicable — no individual income tax in New Hampshire |
| Federal Tax Code Conformity | New Hampshire conforms to the IRC for BPT purposes with modifications; no conformity required for individual income tax |
Filing Deadlines
| Return Type | Due Date | Extension |
|---|
| BPT and BET Return (Corporations) | April 15 (calendar year filers); 2.5 months after fiscal year end | 7-month automatic extension available; extension of time does not extend time to pay |
| BPT and BET Return (Partnerships / LLCs) | March 15 (calendar year filers); 2.5 months after fiscal year end | 6-month automatic extension available |
| Individual Income Tax Return | Not applicable — no New Hampshire individual income tax return required for 2026 | N/A |
| Estimated BPT Payments | April 15, June 15, Sept 15, Dec 15 (for businesses with tax liability over $500) | N/A |
New Hampshire Sales Tax
State Sales Tax Rate
New Hampshire does not impose a general state sales tax or local sales tax. New Hampshire is one of only five states in the United States with no sales tax — making it a significant competitive advantage for retail businesses and consumers alike. However, New Hampshire does impose specific excise taxes on meals and rooms, tobacco, alcohol, motor fuel, and other select categories in lieu of a general sales tax.
Taxable vs. Exempt Goods and Services
| Category | Status | Notes |
|---|
| Tangible Personal Property | ❌ Exempt | New Hampshire does not impose a general sales tax on tangible personal property; no sales tax collection required |
| SaaS / Digital Products | ❌ Exempt | New Hampshire does not tax SaaS, digital downloads, or electronically delivered products under any general sales tax |
| Groceries / Food | ❌ Exempt | No sales tax on groceries or food items; prepared meals at restaurants are subject to the 9% Meals and Rooms Tax |
| Prescription Drugs | ❌ Exempt | No general sales tax in New Hampshire; prescription drugs are not subject to any state sales tax |
| Clothing | ❌ Exempt | No general sales tax on clothing or apparel in New Hampshire |
| Manufacturing Equipment | ❌ Exempt | No general sales tax; manufacturing equipment purchases are not subject to New Hampshire sales tax |
| Professional Services | ❌ Exempt | No general sales tax on professional services in New Hampshire |
Meals and Rooms Tax (Special Sales Tax)
- New Hampshire imposes a 9% Meals and Rooms Tax on prepared food sold at restaurants, room rentals at hotels and lodging establishments, motor vehicle rentals, and telecommunications services
- Registering Agency: New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (NHDRA)
- Registration URL: www.revenue.nh.gov
- Filing Frequency: Monthly — returns due by the 15th of the following month
- Cost to Register: Free (no registration fee)
Filing Frequency and Deadlines (Meals and Rooms Tax)
| Tax Type | Filing Frequency | Due Date |
|---|
| Meals and Rooms Tax | Monthly | 15th of the month following the reporting period |
| Tobacco Tax | Monthly | 15th of the following month |
| Motor Fuel Tax | Monthly | Last day of the following month |
Local Sales Tax Rates
| Jurisdiction | Local Sales Tax Rate | Combined Rate |
|---|
| Manchester | 0% | 0% |
| Nashua | 0% | 0% |
| Concord | 0% | 0% |
| Dover | 0% | 0% |
| Portsmouth | 0% | 0% |
New Hampshire Payroll Tax and Compliance
Employer Payroll Tax Obligations
| Tax / Obligation | Details |
|---|
| State Income Tax Withholding | Not applicable — New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages; no state withholding registration required |
| SUI/SUTA Rate Range | 0.10%–8.50% |
| SUI Taxable Wage Base | $14,000 per employee per year (2026) |
| New Employer SUI Rate | 2.70% |
| Workers' Compensation | Private insurance or approved self-insurance; regulated by New Hampshire Department of Labor; all employers with one or more employees must carry coverage |
| Paid Family and Medical Leave | New Hampshire Granite State Paid Family and Medical Leave Plan — voluntary program; state employees enrolled; private employers may opt in; no mandatory payroll tax currently |
| State Disability Insurance | Not applicable in New Hampshire |
Withholding Registration and Filing
- State Income Tax Withholding: Not required — New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages
- SUI Registration Agency: New Hampshire Department of Employment Security (NHES)
- SUI Registration URL: www.nhes.nh.gov
- SUI Filing Frequency: Quarterly — due last day of the month following the quarter end (April 30, July 31, Oct 31, Jan 31)
- Annual Reconciliation: Not required for state income tax withholding; SUI filed quarterly
- New Hire Reporting Deadline: Within 20 days of hire; report to New Hampshire New Hire Reporting Program at www.nhes.nh.gov
Minimum Wage
| Category | Rate |
|---|
| Standard Minimum Wage | $7.25/hour (follows federal minimum wage; New Hampshire has not set a higher state minimum) |
| Tipped Employee Rate | $3.26/hour (45% of the state minimum wage; tips must bring total to $7.25/hour) |
| Youth / Opportunity Wage | $7.25/hour (no separate youth rate; standard federal minimum applies) |
| Next Scheduled Increase | No scheduled increase at state level as of 2026; follows any federal minimum wage changes |
New Hampshire Property Tax
- Assessment Ratio: Real property assessed at 100% of full and true value (market value) as required by New Hampshire law
- Effective Average Rate: 1.93% of assessed value — among the highest effective rates in the United States, reflecting reliance on property tax in the absence of sales and income tax
- Assessment Cycle: Annual assessment by local municipal assessors; full revaluation required every 5 years per New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration guidelines
- Appeal Deadline: March 1 to file an abatement application with the local assessing authority; further appeal to the New Hampshire Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) by September 1
Business Personal Property Tax
New Hampshire taxes business personal property including machinery, equipment, furniture, and fixtures used in a trade or business. Business personal property is assessed at 100% of full and true value. Businesses must file a Business Personal Property return (Form PA-30) with their local municipal assessor by April 15 each year. New Hampshire provides no general exemption threshold for business personal property — all taxable property must be declared and assessed. Certain manufacturing machinery and equipment placed in service after 1995 may qualify for a partial exemption under RSA 72:8-b.
Homestead and Other Exemptions
| Exemption Type | Amount / Rate | Eligibility |
|---|
| Elderly Exemption | $50,000–$175,000 reduction in assessed value depending on age and municipality | New Hampshire residents age 65+ who own and occupy their primary residence; income and asset limits apply; must apply with local assessor |
| Veteran Tax Credit | $500–$4,000 credit against property tax bill depending on service and disability status | Honorably discharged veterans who served in qualifying wartime periods; surviving spouses may qualify; must apply with local assessor by April 15 |
| Disabled Veteran Exemption | Full property tax exemption on primary residence for 100% service-connected disabled veterans | Veterans with total and permanent service-connected disability rated by the VA; surviving spouses of qualifying veterans may also be eligible |
| Agricultural Land Current Use | Assessment at current use value rather than market value — significantly lower assessed value for qualifying land | Land of 10+ acres actively used for agriculture, forestry, or conservation; must apply under New Hampshire Current Use Program (RSA 79-A) |
Property Tax Due Dates
| Installment | Due Date | Discount / Penalty |
|---|
| First Installment (Preliminary Bill) | July 1, 2026 (varies by municipality) | Interest accrues at 8% per annum after due date; no early payment discount |
| Second Installment (Final Bill) | December 1, 2026 (varies by municipality) | Interest accrues at 8% per annum after due date; some municipalities issue a single annual tax bill |
Other Key New Hampshire Taxes
Franchise / Privilege Tax
New Hampshire does not impose a separate franchise or privilege tax on business entities beyond the Business Profits Tax and Business Enterprise Tax. All business organizations registered in New Hampshire must pay an annual report fee to the Secretary of State — $100 for corporations and $100 for LLCs — to maintain active standing. This fee is not a tax but rather an administrative filing requirement.
Gross Receipts Tax
New Hampshire does not impose a general gross receipts tax. The Business Enterprise Tax (BET) applies to the enterprise value tax base — the sum of compensation paid, interest paid, and dividends paid — rather than to gross receipts directly. The BET at 0.55% functions as a minimum tax floor and is creditable against the Business Profits Tax.
Excise Taxes
| Product | Rate |
|---|
| Gasoline | $0.238 per gallon |
| Diesel | $0.238 per gallon |
| Cigarettes | $1.78 per pack (20 cigarettes) |
| Beer | $0.30 per gallon |
| Wine | $0.30 per gallon (state liquor stores control wine and spirits sales) |
| Cannabis | Recreational cannabis legalized in New Hampshire in 2024; retail sales subject to 15% cannabis tax effective 2025 |
New Hampshire Tax Credits and Incentives
| Credit / Incentive | Value / Rate | Eligibility |
|---|
| Research and Development Tax Credit (BPT) | 10% of qualifying New Hampshire R&D expenditures; maximum credit $50,000 per tax year; refundable up to $50,000 | Businesses conducting qualifying R&D activities in New Hampshire under IRC Section 41; credit applied against BPT liability |
| Business Enterprise Tax (BET) Credit | BET paid is fully creditable against BPT liability; excess BET credit carries forward 5 years | All businesses subject to both BET and BPT in New Hampshire; automatic credit with no separate application required |
| Economic Revitalization Zone (ERZ) Tax Credit | Up to $40,000 per year in BPT credits for job creation and capital investment in designated ERZs | Businesses creating new jobs or making qualifying capital investments in New Hampshire Economic Revitalization Zones |
| Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) Tax Credit | 75% of qualifying cash or property contributions to approved CDFA projects | Businesses making contributions to CDFA-approved community development projects in New Hampshire; credit applied against BPT or BET |
| Coos County Job Creation Tax Credit | Up to $1,000 per new full-time job created in Coos County per year for up to 5 years | Businesses creating new full-time jobs in Coos County, New Hampshire's most economically challenged region |
| New Hampshire Job Training Fund | Grants up to $250,000 for workforce training programs; not a tax credit but reduces effective labor costs | New Hampshire businesses investing in skills training and workforce development for existing or new employees |
| Historic Preservation Tax Credit | 20% of qualifying rehabilitation expenditures on certified historic structures in New Hampshire | Owners rehabilitating certified historic buildings in New Hampshire; state credit mirrors federal historic tax credit structure |
How to Register a Business in New Hampshire
- Choose Your Business Structure: Select the appropriate entity type — LLC, Corporation, Partnership, or Sole Proprietorship — based on your liability, tax, and operational goals. New Hampshire's no-income-tax environment makes it particularly attractive for pass-through entities and high-income founders.
- Register with the New Hampshire Secretary of State: File Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation) through the New Hampshire Secretary of State at www.sos.nh.gov. LLC filing fee: $100; Corporation filing fee: $100.
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS: Apply for a Federal Employer Identification Number at www.irs.gov — required for tax filings, payroll, and business banking.
- Register for State Tax Accounts: Register for your New Hampshire Business Profits Tax account, Business Enterprise Tax account, Meals and Rooms Tax license (if applicable), and Unemployment Insurance account through the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration at www.revenue.nh.gov and NHES at www.nhes.nh.gov.
- Obtain Required Licenses and Permits: Check with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification and relevant state agencies for industry-specific licenses and permits applicable to your business type and location.
- Register for a Local Business License: Contact your city or town government — many New Hampshire municipalities require a local business license or permit; requirements vary significantly by jurisdiction.
Key New Hampshire Tax Agencies and Resources
| Agency | Responsibility | Website |
|---|
| New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (NHDRA) | Business Profits Tax, Business Enterprise Tax, Meals and Rooms Tax, tobacco tax, property tax oversight | www.revenue.nh.gov |
| New Hampshire Department of Employment Security (NHES) | Unemployment insurance (SUI/SUTA), new hire reporting, employer compliance | www.nhes.nh.gov |
| New Hampshire Secretary of State | Business entity registration, annual reports, registered agent filings, corporate compliance | www.sos.nh.gov |
| New Hampshire Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) | Property tax appeals, BPT and BET dispute resolution, tax abatement hearings | www.btla.nh.gov |
Your New Hampshire Tax Compliance Partner — filings.us
New Hampshire's zero sales tax advantage, fully repealed Interest and Dividends Tax, Business Profits Tax and Business Enterprise Tax obligations, highest-in-the-nation reliance on property tax, and targeted incentive programs make 2026 a pivotal year to structure your business tax strategy correctly in the Granite State. filings.us provides the expert tools and hands-on support to manage every compliance requirement with accuracy and confidence. Here is exactly what we manage for you:
- We register your New Hampshire LLC or Corporation with the Secretary of State — handling all documentation, annual reports, and filings accurately — so you can launch your business without delays or errors.
- We set up your New Hampshire BPT and BET accounts, Meals and Rooms Tax license where applicable, and file every return on your behalf — so you are never exposed to penalties or missed deadlines.
- We prepare and submit your New Hampshire Business Profits Tax return, Business Enterprise Tax return, and unemployment insurance filings — ensuring full accuracy, maximum credit utilization, and zero compliance gaps.
- We monitor all New Hampshire tax deadlines and send you proactive alerts — from quarterly SUI filings to annual BPT and BET returns, property tax installments, and Secretary of State annual reports — so your business stays fully compliant every single day.
New Hampshire compliance made simple. Let the experts at filings.us handle every obligation so you can focus on building a thriving business in the great state of New Hampshire.
Note: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Consult a licensed tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
