New Hampshire
Taxes and business formation • USA 2025–2026
LLC in New Hampshire
Corporation in New Hampshire
Tax system of New Hampshire
Income Tax
New Hampshire does not tax wages or most forms of income, which makes the state especially attractive to employees and small business owners. However, there is a tax on passive income — the Interest and Dividends Tax — which was 4% until 2024 but has been reduced to 3% as of 2025, with full elimination planned by 2027. This tax applies to income from dividends, interest, trust income, and certain investments.
Sales Tax
New Hampshire is one of the few states with no statewide sales tax. This means that neither retailers nor buyers are required to charge or pay sales tax on transactions within the state.
Property Tax
The average effective rate is about 2.05% of a property's market value, which is one of the highest in the country. The tax is administered at the city and county level and mainly funds schools and infrastructure. Commercial, investment, and residential real estate are all taxed with equal rigor.
Business Taxes
New Hampshire has two main taxes for businesses: the Business Profits Tax (BPT), which is a tax on company profits, including C-corporations, S-corporations, LLCs, and partnerships, at a rate of 7.5% on taxable profit (threshold: gross revenue above $92,000); and the Business Enterprise Tax (BET), a tax on payroll, interest, and dividends at a rate of 0.55%, which applies if gross revenue exceeds $260,000 per year. These taxes operate in parallel and cover a wide range of business structures. All companies in New Hampshire are required to file an Annual Report with the New Hampshire Secretary of State, due each year by April 1. Missing the deadline results in a penalty, and the company may be dissolved. Our firm provides services for Annual Report preparation, BPT/BET calculation, selecting the optimal business form, and tax reporting. Businesses are also required to file tangible personal property reports, including equipment, furniture, computers, and similar items.
Excise Taxes
The state levies excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, gasoline, and car rentals. It is important to note that the sale of some of these products requires special licenses and recordkeeping.
Favorable Tax Conditions
New Hampshire offers one of the least burdensome tax systems in the U.S. The absence of a sales tax and of income tax on wages and dividends (in the future) makes it an ideal jurisdiction for high-net-worth individuals, investors, and small business owners. Although business profit and payroll taxes exist (BPT and BET), they are moderate and can be managed through tax planning. It is also important that the state has no franchise tax and no tax on personal tangible property of individuals.
Compared to Other States
Compared with Massachusetts, New York, or California — where the tax burden can reach up to 13% of income — New Hampshire stands out thanks to the absence of income and sales taxes. On the other hand, property tax here is among the highest in the country, which must be taken into account when buying a home or office. The BPT and BET tax structure applies only in New Hampshire. For businesses planning to operate in New Hampshire, it is especially important to monitor revenue thresholds, since even a small business can fall within the scope of taxation.
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