New Hampshire does not tax wages, salaries, or self-employment income. The state’s Interest and Dividend (I&D) tax — which taxed investment income at declining rates — is being phased out and drops to 1% in 2026 before being eliminated entirely on January 1, 2027. New Hampshire also has no sales tax. The primary tax burden for residents comes from property taxes, which average approximately 2.1% effective rate, the highest in New England. Businesses operating in New Hampshire face a Business Profits Tax (7.5%) and Business Enterprise Tax (0.55%).
At a glance
Key Facts
State Income Tax (Wages)
None — New Hampshire does not tax wages, salaries, tips, or self-employment income
Interest & Dividend (I&D) Tax
1% in 2026 (on interest and dividend income above $2,400 single / $4,800 joint); eliminated entirely effective January 1, 2027
Sales Tax
None — New Hampshire has no state sales tax and no local sales tax; this attracts cross-border shoppers from Massachusetts and Maine
Property Tax
Effective average ~2.1% — highest in New England; no statewide cap on increases; funded primarily through local school districts
Business Profits Tax (BPT)
7.5% on net business income for businesses with gross receipts over $92,000; one of the higher business tax rates among no-income-tax states
Business Enterprise Tax (BET)
0.55% on enterprise value (wages, interest, dividends paid by the business); applies to businesses with gross receipts over $250,000 or enterprise value over $250,000
Rooms & Meals Tax
8.5% on prepared food, restaurant meals, and hotel stays; this is New Hampshire’s primary substitute for a sales tax on consumable goods
Introduction
New Hampshire’s tax system is defined by two distinctive features: the complete absence of a general income tax on wages and the complete absence of a sales tax. This ‘double zero’ makes New Hampshire unique among northeastern states and has long attracted residents seeking to escape Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Maine’s tax burdens. The state’s motto is ‘Live Free or Die’ — and its tax policy embodies that philosophy.
The catch has always been property taxes. New Hampshire relies heavily on local property taxes to fund public services, particularly public schools, and the resulting effective rates are the highest in New England at roughly 2.1%. For homeowners, this means the income tax savings must be weighed against significantly higher annual property tax bills than in neighboring Massachusetts. In 2026, the Interest and Dividend tax — the last vestige of investment income taxation in New Hampshire — sits at 1% and will be fully eliminated on January 1, 2027, making New Hampshire a complete zero-income-tax state from that date forward.
Section 01
New Hampshire’s No-Wage-Tax System: Who Benefits Most
New Hampshire’s exemption from income taxation on wages and salaries is particularly valuable for high-wage earners who have the flexibility to live in New Hampshire while working remotely or commuting to Massachusetts. For a Massachusetts resident earning $200,000 per year, moving to New Hampshire eliminates the 5% Massachusetts income tax (plus the 9% surtax above $1 million), representing annual savings of $10,000 or more.
New Hampshire vs Massachusetts for a Remote Worker
Tax Category
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
NH Annual Saving
Income Tax ($150K earner)
$0
~$7,500 (5%)
~$7,500
Income Tax ($300K earner)
$0
~$15,000 (5%)
~$15,000
Sales Tax (heavy buyer)
$0
6.25%
Significant
Property Tax ($500K home)
~$10,500
~$5,500
−$5,000 (NH more expensive)
The math typically favours New Hampshire for earners above $100,000 who own moderately priced homes. However, for lower-income renters, New Hampshire’s high property taxes (passed through in rents) can offset the income tax savings.
The Massachusetts ‘Convenience of the Employer’ Rule
A critical caveat for Massachusetts commuters: Massachusetts adopted a ‘convenience of the employer’ rule during the COVID pandemic that has persisted in various forms. Under this rule, a Massachusetts employer can make New Hampshire residents subject to Massachusetts income tax if the employee is working remotely at their own convenience rather than due to employer necessity. This rule has been challenged but remains an important consideration for New Hampshire residents whose employers are based in Massachusetts. Genuine remote workers with New Hampshire-based employers avoid this issue entirely.
Interest and Dividend Tax Phase-Out (2026: 1%)
New Hampshire’s Interest and Dividend tax was historically 5% and has been systematically reduced by annual legislation:
2023: 4%
2024: 3%
2025: 2%
2026: 1%
January 1, 2027: Eliminated entirely
In 2026, the I&D tax applies to interest and dividend income above $2,400 for single filers and $4,800 for married filers. A retirement investor with $50,000 in dividend income owes approximately ($50,000 – $2,400) × 1% = $476 in New Hampshire I&D tax in 2026. From 2027, this disappears entirely. Capital gains are NOT subject to the I&D tax — they have never been taxed in New Hampshire.
Section 02
New Hampshire Property Taxes: High Rates, School Funding, and How to Manage
New Hampshire’s property taxes are the mechanism by which the state funds public services — particularly K-12 education — in the absence of income and sales taxes. The result is the highest effective property tax rates in New England and among the top five highest in the United States.
Property Tax Rates by New Hampshire Town
Town/City
2024 Tax Rate (per $1,000)
Effective Rate
Annual Tax on $500K Home
Claremont
$42.66
~4.27%
~$21,330
Manchester
$19.66
~1.97%
~$9,830
Concord
$25.13
~2.51%
~$12,565
Nashua
$17.48
~1.75%
~$8,740
Portsmouth
$14.67
~1.47%
~$7,335
Hanover
$19.15
~1.92%
~$9,575
Note: NH property is assessed at 100% of fair market value (full value assessment), so the tax rate applies directly to the home’s market value. Rates vary significantly by town because local school funding is the largest component.
Property Tax Components
New Hampshire property tax bills have several components:
Local school tax: The largest component, set by each school district
Statewide education tax: A uniform state component of approximately $2.30 per $1,000 of assessed value
County tax: Set by each county for county services
Local municipal tax: For town/city government services
Low-Income Homeowner Relief
New Hampshire offers a Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief program. Eligible homeowners can apply to the state for partial reimbursement of the statewide education property tax portion. Eligibility is income-based (roughly $37,000 single / $47,000 married) and the benefit is modest. Most NH homeowners receive no meaningful property tax relief.
Section 03
New Hampshire Business Taxes and the Complete Resident Tax Picture
Business Profits Tax (BPT) and Business Enterprise Tax (BET)
New Hampshire compensates for its lack of income and sales taxes partly through business taxes that apply to both corporations and pass-through entities:
Business Profits Tax (BPT): 7.5% on net income from business activity. Applies to businesses (C-corps, S-corps, partnerships, and sole proprietors) with gross receipts over $92,000. For a sole proprietor or LLC owner, BPT applies to their self-employment income — this is often misunderstood by people assuming New Hampshire has ‘zero’ income taxation. The BPT effectively taxes self-employment and business income at 7.5%.
Business Enterprise Tax (BET): 0.55% on the ‘enterprise value tax base’ — which includes compensation paid to employees and officers, interest paid to lenders, and dividends paid to owners. Applies to businesses with gross receipts over $250,000 or enterprise value over $250,000. The BET is essentially a payroll and capital tax.
BET credit against BPT: Any BET paid can be credited against BPT owed in the same period, preventing full double taxation.
New Hampshire Rooms and Meals Tax
New Hampshire’s 8.5% Rooms and Meals Tax serves as the state’s primary consumption tax in the absence of a sales tax. It applies to:
Restaurant meals and prepared food
Hotel, motel, and short-term rental stays
Car rentals
Grocery store purchases (unprepared food) are not taxed — there is no New Hampshire sales tax on retail goods at all.
The Complete New Hampshire Tax Picture
Resident Type
Primary Tax Burdens
Key Advantages
W-2 Employee, remote worker
High property taxes if homeowner
Zero income tax on all wages; zero sales tax
Self-employed / LLC owner
7.5% BPT on net business income; property taxes
Zero income tax on wages; no sales tax
Retiree with investment income
1% I&D tax in 2026 (eliminated 2027); property taxes
Zero tax on Social Security; zero tax on IRA withdrawals; zero capital gains tax
Business employer
BPT (7.5%) + BET (0.55%)
No corporate income tax per se; competitive for certain structures
For retirees with significant investment portfolios, New Hampshire becomes dramatically more attractive from 2027 when the I&D tax is eliminated. Combined with zero capital gains taxation and zero tax on retirement account distributions, New Hampshire will offer a truly comprehensive tax exemption on investment income from 2027 onward.
New Hampshire’s Business Profits Tax, the Massachusetts commuter rule, and the I&D tax phase-out create real complexity for residents — TaxHub’s licensed CPAs can help you navigate your exact situation and ensure you’re not overpaying.
⚠ Not for simple single-state returns. Free filing is fine for straightforward W-2 situations.
If you have foreign income or investments alongside your New Hampshire residency, Greenback specialises in complex multi-jurisdiction tax situations for individuals with global financial interests.
⚠ Not the cheapest option — best for complex situations and expats who want a dedicated CPA.
Does New Hampshire have a state income tax in 2026?
New Hampshire does not tax wages, salaries, tips, or self-employment income. However, in 2026 New Hampshire still has a 1% Interest and Dividend (I&D) tax on interest and dividend income above $2,400 (single) or $4,800 (married). This will be eliminated entirely on January 1, 2027. Capital gains have never been subject to New Hampshire income tax. So in practice, a W-2 employee or salaried worker in New Hampshire owes zero New Hampshire income tax in 2026.
Q
When does New Hampshire’s Interest and Dividend tax end?
The New Hampshire Interest and Dividend (I&D) tax is being phased out by annual legislation. The rate was 4% in 2023, 3% in 2024, 2% in 2025, and is 1% in 2026. It will be completely eliminated effective January 1, 2027. From 2027, New Hampshire will have zero income taxation of any kind — no taxes on wages, investment income, dividends, interest, or capital gains at the state level.
Q
What are New Hampshire’s property tax rates?
New Hampshire property taxes are assessed at 100% of fair market value (unlike states that assess at a fraction of value), and rates vary dramatically by town. Manchester has a rate of approximately $19.66 per $1,000 (1.97% effective rate), Nashua is approximately $17.48 per $1,000 (1.75%), and some smaller towns can exceed $30–40 per $1,000. The statewide average effective rate is approximately 2.1% — the highest in New England and among the top five highest nationally. On a $500,000 home in Manchester, annual property taxes would be approximately $9,830.
Q
Does New Hampshire have a sales tax?
No — New Hampshire has no state sales tax and no local sales tax. All retail goods (clothing, electronics, furniture, groceries) can be purchased without any sales tax. This makes New Hampshire a popular shopping destination for residents of neighboring Massachusetts (6.25% sales tax) and Maine (5.5% sales tax). New Hampshire does levy an 8.5% Rooms and Meals Tax on restaurant meals, hotel stays, and car rentals, but this is a specific excise tax, not a general sales tax.
Q
Do self-employed people in New Hampshire owe any income tax?
Yes — this is a common misconception. While New Hampshire does not tax wages from employment, self-employed individuals and business owners are subject to the Business Profits Tax (BPT) at 7.5% on net business income if their gross receipts exceed $92,000. The Business Enterprise Tax (BET) at 0.55% also applies to businesses with gross receipts or enterprise value above $250,000. So a freelancer or consultant earning $150,000 net in New Hampshire owes approximately $11,250 in BPT — comparable to or exceeding the income tax in some other states.
Q
Is New Hampshire a good state for retirement?
New Hampshire is increasingly attractive for retirees, particularly from 2027 when the I&D tax is eliminated. Retirement account withdrawals (IRA, 401k, pension) have never been taxed by New Hampshire. Social Security is not taxed. Capital gains are not taxed. From 2027, dividends and interest will also be untaxed. The main drawback is high property taxes (average 2.1% effective rate), which can be burdensome for retirees on fixed incomes. However, for retirees who own a paid-off home and have significant investment portfolios, New Hampshire’s lack of income taxation on virtually all income types makes it highly competitive with Florida and Texas.
Q
How does the Massachusetts ‘convenience rule’ affect New Hampshire residents?
New Hampshire residents employed by Massachusetts-based employers need to be aware of Massachusetts’ approach to taxing remote workers. Massachusetts has at various times asserted the right to tax New Hampshire residents who work remotely for Massachusetts employers, arguing that income earned for a Massachusetts employer is Massachusetts-sourced. This was most aggressively applied during and after the COVID pandemic. The specifics depend on the employer’s location, the nature of the work, and current Massachusetts regulations. New Hampshire contested this in the Supreme Court (New Hampshire v. Massachusetts) but the case was not heard on the merits. NH residents working remotely for MA employers should consult a tax professional.
Disclaimer:This guide provides general tax information for educational purposes only. New Hampshire Business Profits Tax and Business Enterprise Tax rules are complex and subject to change. The I&D tax elimination timeline is established by legislation but could theoretically be altered. Massachusetts ‘convenience rule’ application to New Hampshire residents is subject to ongoing legal and regulatory developments. Always consult a qualified tax professional.