One-Time Tax Amnesty Program Now Available

The NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) has launched a one-time Tax Amnesty Program providing taxpayers the opportunity to pay any outstanding taxes without penalty and with only 50 percent of the accrued interest. The DRA’s Tax Amnesty Program runs through Feb. 15, 2016. This program is open to any individual or business.

“We understand people fall behind on taxes for any number of reasons, and this Tax Amnesty Program is designed to provide the public with a one-time opportunity to free themselves from outstanding taxes, while paying significantly less than they owe,” says John Beardmore, commissioner of the Department of Revenue Administration. “Along with potentially saving individual taxpayers millions of dollars, this program provides the state with the chance to generate much-needed revenue, as the DRA Tax Amnesty Program could deliver as much as $16 million to the NH General Fund, which funds a range of essential programs and services.”

New Hampshire lawmakers established the DRA Tax Amnesty Program during the 2015 legislative session. About 80 percent of NH’s general taxes are collected by DRA and are used to fund critical programs and services, including education, health and social services, administration of justice and public protection, and resource protection and development.

According to Beardmore, 11,485 tax notices are in collection status totaling $23.9 million in outstanding taxes. The average outstanding tax notice amounts to $2,081. Business taxes account for the largest portion with 4,266 notices totaling $14.1 million in overdue taxes. That is followed by Meals and Rooms taxes with 5,812 notices totaling more than $6 million outstanding.

An online interest calculator is available on the DRA website at revenue.nh.gov/amnesty/tax-calculator.htm. Amnesty is available to any taxpayer who has a delinquent tax return or has not paid a tax which was due on or before Feb. 15, 2016. This applies to anyone with an outstanding tax notice, including those in the appeal process. As an example, if a taxpayer failed to pay a $1,000 Interest and Dividends Tax due in April 2013, that taxpayer currently owes DRA a total of $1,483.44, between the original bill and penalties and interest. Utilizing the Tax Amnesty Program, that taxpayer would pay $1,066.72, saving a total of $416.72.

For more information, call Central Tax Services at 603-230-5920.