Abatement

An abatement is a form of appeal of your property's assessment if you feel you are being unfairly assessed. Under RSA 76:16, municipalities may abate taxes and interest accrued on such tax "for good cause shown". The taxpayer has the burden to prove their property was unfairly assessed compared to other properties in town as of April 1st for that year's tax bill.

To file for an abatement you must be the owner of record as of April 1st of the tax year being abated. Abatements are only accepted after the second tax bill of the year is received, which is usually in early November.

The deadline to file for an abatement is March 1st of the calendar year following the date of the fall tax bill.

Please use this Abatement Application Form (PDF) to file your grievance. 

After you file your abatement the Assessor will review the application, call to speak to you further, possibly set up an appointment to look at the property, and possibly ask for additional information. Once the Assessor has taken the opportunity to review the property and look at other relevant data, they will discuss their recommendation with the Town Council and a decision will be made whether to grant or deny the abatement. You will be notified by letter of the outcome of your case.