City Property Tax Rate Decreases to $17.27 

Nov. 8, 2011

PORTSMOUTH - The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration has approved the 2011 tax rate for Fiscal Year 2012 of $17.27 per $1,000 of valuation, 14 cents below last year, to raise the approximately $67 million in property taxes necessary to fund the current budget, City Manager John Bohenko announced Tuesday.

Finance Director Judie Belanger attributed the decrease in the tax rate to a combination of a reduction in expenditures, an increase in parking revenues, and an unanticipated growth in the value of commercial and industrial properties.

“The decrease in the tax rate is good news for our citizens,” said Mayor Thomas Ferrini. “With the average single-family home in Portsmouth valued at $341,300, this will translate into a savings of approximately $50, which is notable in this economy -- especially compared to the tax rate increases in some area communities.”

Bohenko said that in order to fund the $86.4 million budget for fire, police, school and municipal services for the fiscal year that began July 1, approximately $67 million must be raised in property taxes with the remainder coming from other revenue sources.

The newly approved tax rate will be reflected in the tax bills mailed this month, with the first half due 30 days after they are mailed and the second half due June 1, 2012. Again this year, the City of Portsmouth will provide an online tax calculator for residents to use to estimate their tax bills now, as well as the assessed values for Fiscal Year 2012. Both will be available online later this week at www.CityofPortsmouth.com.

Property owners who wish to contest their assessments may request a review of their value by filing an abatement application with the Assessing Department. Applications must be filed by March 1, 2012. The Department will issue a response no later than July 1, 2012. If property owners wish to appeal the Assessing Department’s decision, they can file with either the New Hampshire Board of Tax and Land Appeals, or Rockingham County Superior Court by September 1, 2012. Abatement applications can be found online at www.cityofportsmouth.com/assessors or by contacting the Assessing Department at 610-7249.

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