Property Taxes (Manchester, Londonderry, Portsmouth: sales, car registration, condo)

[Klaatu_00]

In FL where I live, we have a 3% cap on the change in assessed value every year - effectively limiting our property tax increases when the value of our homes increase. The current system is coming up for a vote in January, which got me thinking.

How do property taxes work in New Hampshire? Does the value of your home get re-assessed every year? And does the millage rate fluctuate and is there a cap on the amount your property tax can change?

I have noticed that property taxes around Portsmouth tend to be rather high - any ideas if they are on the up-swing or down-swing? I guess what I'm getting at is there any change brewing, or are people content with their property taxes?

[southward bound]

We're never content with taxes! I think that's just human nature, no matter where we live.

Property taxes tend to be high, in my opinion, which offsets the perceived benefits of no income tax, no sales tax. Those are in the wings - just you wait and see, and I don't think property taxes will go down when that happens. Does anyone expect them to go down if/when sales tax or income tax gets passed in NH?

[paradiddle]

I would take NH tax over FL anyday......

NH prop tax is much more equitable than FL. You also don't have sales, income, bottle deposits, etc.

NH towns every 5 yrs does an asessment on all homes. It re-levels the playing field in comparison to your neighbors. NH people are famous for budget watching and keep things in line. Portsmouth is a trendy -lefty town so they may be higher than other towns. compare town to town. You can get an exemption if you are a senior or veteran. I know Manchester does that.

FL has homesteading, you have to be a full time resident. They take $25K off value and cap your increases at 3%. It's called the Save Our Homes amendment. There are major problems with this system. If you bought a home in 93 then you are probably paying $380 like my neighbor. If you bought in 2004 you are paying $2400 like me. I forgot to tell you that it's based on sales price. If you bought in last 1-2 years and homestead you pay a lot. If you are non-resident, investor, commercial the skys the limit, no protection. If you are homesteaded and move to a house of equal value you will get zonked. I also think that no one really watches spending. the older residents are getting a good deal why watch anything. My opinion.

PS: MA has a 2.5% cap but they get creamed by all those other taxes.

[nicolem]

Originally Posted by southward bound

We're never content with taxes! I think that's just human nature, no matter where we live.

Property taxes tend to be high, in my opinion, which offsets the perceived benefits of no income tax, no sales tax. Those are in the wings - just you wait and see, and I don't think property taxes will go down when that happens. Does anyone expect them to go down if/when sales tax or income tax gets passed in NH?

No-I don't. Unortunately I think there are people that do think this way though

[Klaatu_00]

Are sales tax and/or income tax imminent in NH or just idle speculation? I don't think I would want to be in office when those get passed.

[Sporin]

Originally Posted by Klaatu_00

Are sales tax and/or income tax imminent in NH or just idle speculation? I don't think I would want to be in office when those get passed.

IMO, it's only speculation as no Gov. would ever have the stones to propose it.

I do think that NH gets their tithe one way or the other. Property taxes are pretty high, as are car registration fees and a few other things.

[nicolem]

Originally Posted by Sporin

IMO, it's only speculation as no Gov. would ever have the stones to propose it.

I do think that NH gets their tithe one way or the other. Property taxes are pretty high, as are car registration fees and a few other things.

Former Govenor Jeanne Shaheen wanted a sales tax when she was in office and was all set to sign one. She asked the legislature to send her a bill with one in it. Thankfully, the legislature did not give it to her.

Now we have the reverse, there are plenty in this legislature that woud give us sales and/or income tax. Govenor photo-op would never dare sign it as he is up for reelection. However, they just raised a lot of hidden taxes that most people wouldn't realize in the last budget.

There will always be the same old people trying to get an income and/or sales tax. If enough tax and spenders move in and people are dumb and vote in their state rep over an issue like Iraq, then unfortunately we may get one if not both. And no, property taxes will not go down.

[Sporin]

The towns will never give up their high property taxes, regardless of any statewide income or sales tax.

This entire country needs a tax code overhaul if you ask me, but that's a subject for another forum.

[averagenyjoe]

Originally Posted by Sporin

IMO, it's only speculation as no Gov. would ever have the stones to propose it. .

It has been proposed but hasnt made it through the legislature. At least for now. Governments have a way of sneaking things through and they are just waiting till we are asleep. Which it seems NH folks are getting a bit drowsey at least. Every once & awhile the people flex their muscles and it still works in America. Would that we flex more often. Crooked pol's are skilled at dazzling your eyes while ramming it in your back. We need to stop thinking one party over another is our friends. Once something is enacted it is never thrown out. So then when we get screwed by one party we say, oh yea? we'll throw you out for the other party. Then the other party screws us and we then just go back & forth and always play defense instead of offense and never fix the problems.

[GregW]

I am less concerned with how high my taxes are than with what I get for the money. In Londonderry I get relatively little because I do not, and never have, had any children using the very expensive school system. I do get a decent library, good fire department and a police dept that does not seem to care about children dealing drugs but loves to enforce the low town speed limits. I balance the high rates by not owning an expensive house or fancy cars.

I have a condo fee of $225 per month that can be considered a tax. I do not mind paying this because I get a lot for the money. I have access to nearly 40 acres of woods, ponds and grass. The streets and walks are cleared of snow. The outsides of the buildings are properly maintained and water and sewage disposal are part of the services. If I owned a similar sized house I would have higher property taxes and still have to pay for the maintenance of the place. I suspect this would cost at least as much as the condo fee. I would also have to mow my own lawn on my own time. I hate mowing lawns and have better things to do with my non-work time, thank you.

We could create a better tax system based entirely on all income from all sources but that is a topic I have already written about in another thread.