Expect First of Two Tax Bills for 2015 by June 1

First one will be half of your 2014 bill

March 21, 2015 • Saved under Committees
By Joanna Sumner, Town Clerk and Tax Collector

Dog Licensing: The State of New Hampshire RSA 466:1 requires that every owner or keeper of a dog four months old or older shall annually cause it to be licensed in the office of the town clerk in the town in which it is kept. The dog must wear the license tag around its neck. The license is effective from May 1 to April 30 of the following year.

Fees: $7.50 for altered dog, $9.50 for a dog that is not neutered or spayed, $2.00 for senior owner (only one dog) $1.00 late fee per month after June 1. Per RSA 466:14 Requires the town clerk to charge a $25 civil forfeiture to any owner of each unlicensed dog.

We will be mailing letters to remind dog owners that they need to license their dogs. You can come in to get the license, mail the letter back with your check or renew the license on line. If you no longer have a dog, please call the office so we can remove the dog’s name from our records

Semi Annual Tax Billing: This is the year that we start the semi-annual tax billing. You will receive an estimated bill (based on the previous year’s taxes) by June 1. This will be your first issue tax bill for 2015. Then, in November you will receive your second issue tax bill based on the new 2015 tax rate minus what you were billed in June.

Town Election: This year we have only the one election but next year there will be three. I have been approached by the Chief of Police and the school Principal regarding their concerns about the safety of the children during the times we are using the building. We may have to consider making changes sometime in the future.

Property Relief Tax:

Forms will be available in the Town Clerk’s office to apply for the New Hampshire Property Tax “Relief program. To qualify, you will need to meet certain criteria. You need to own your own home, reside there, and if you are single, you should have an adjusted gross income of no more than $20,000. If you are married or head of a household with an adjusted gross income of no more than $40,000, then you may qualify.

The application must be filed between May 1 and June 30. Forms may be picked up in the office in May or found on line at Revenue.New Hampshire.gov. For questions, call 230-5920.