HB 1707 to Double property taxes

[Bear Guy]

Proposed NH House Bill 1707 will double the current real estate tax on any property in NH not occupied for six months (or is a short-term rental for at least six months).
https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/result...tbillno=hb1707

This is especially bad for island camp owners, for properties that cannot be reasonably occupied for six months of the year.
This sure feels like a money grab from non-resident property owners.



https://legiscan.com/NH/text/HB1707/2026

1 New Section; Taxation; Persons and Property Liable to Taxation; Supplemental Residence Tax. Amend RSA 72 by inserting after section 6-a the following new section:

72:6-b Unoccupied Housing Tax. Any owner of property that is unoccupied for at least 6 months of the tax year, or is occupied as a short-term rental for at least 6 months of the tax year, shall be required to pay to the department of revenue administration a sum equal to the total of all property taxes, fees, and interest owed on that property to any municipality, city, town, village, or unincorporated place.

2 New Section; Taxation; Tax on Transfer of Real Property; Transfer Tax Exemption. Amend RSA 78-B by inserting after section 13 the following new section:

78-B:14 Transfer Tax Exemption.

I. There shall be a one-time exemption allowed against the entirety of the tax due under this chapter in any given tax year.

II. No exemption shall be allowed under this section unless the person applying therefor:

(a) Is the buyer of a property;

(b) Does not currently own any other property; and

(c) Has a household with an income for the preceding year of no more than 100 percent of the median income for a 3-person household for the metropolitan area or county in which the housing is located as published annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; or

(d) Is the owner of a property being sold to a qualifying buyer under subparagraphs (a) and (b).

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect April 1, 2027.