Tax DIVISION
Tax Billing Process
The City semiannually, usually in May and November, bills and collects its own property taxes for its fiscal year which begins July 1, as well as property taxes for Belknap County. Property taxes billed or collected in advance of the fiscal year for which they are levied are recorded as deferred revenue.Note: The tax year runs from the prior April 1st to March 31st of the fiscal year.
Property taxes are typically due in July and December. If the taxes are not paid by the following March, a lien is recorded on the property at the Register of Deeds. If the delinquent taxes (redemptions) are not paid within two years and one day of the tax lien date, the property is conveyed to the City by deed and subsequently sold at public sale by sealed bid.
Paying Your Bill
You can pay your bill online, by mail, or by calling (855) 906-0411. Please include a portion of your bill with your payment to ensure proper credit when paying by mail. For online payments please click on the red icon at the top of the page. Convenience fees are added to all credit card and telephone payments.Payments can be made in person at the Tax office. Please bring your bill with you for proper credit. The office is open Monday through Friday 8:30 to 4:30.Payments can also be dropped in the mail slot at City Hall. The slot is located near the right side door to the building. This box is checked each morning and you will be given credit on the morning it is retrieved.
Paying Late
If you can't pay on time, payments will be accepted late, but interest will be charged. State law requires that the City charge 8% interest prorated on a daily basis on all balances due beyond the due date. The Tax Collector has no ability to waive this interest.Delinquent, Lien & Tax Deeded Property Information
The City, in order to protect its ability to collect all taxes due must proceed to perfect a lien on your property if all taxes for the year are not paid. This lien process can begin after the final billing December 1st payment for a year is due. Lien notice costs are charged as early as February. Legal notice must be provided to you before the lien process is completed. Interest after the lien is perfected increases to 14% per annum. Your property can be deeded to the City two years later if all taxes are still not paid. Please be aware that once a lien is placed on your property, the lien is recorded at the Registry of Deeds and a notice is sent to your Mortgage holder. Credit reporting agencies obtain information from the Registry of Deeds regarding the delinquent taxes in order to post this information on your credit report.General Property Tax Information
The property tax in NH is the major source of revenue for local government. In Laconia, your property tax pays for municipal services, Belknap county, state-wide property tax and the public schools in Laconia. The City municipal government bills and collects taxes for all these entities even though the City Council only sets the tax rate for the municipal and school portion of the bill. Other portions of the bill are controlled by separate governing bodies. If you have questions about the budgets and services covered by your tax bill, the people to contact are:- City of Laconia City Manager: 527-1270
- Public Schools Superintendent: 524-5710
- Belknap County Administrator: 527-5400
- State Department of Revenue Administration: 271-2191