What is the property tax rate in Belknap County?

The combined effective property tax rate in Belknap County, New Hampshire is approximately 1.45%.

Belknap County Property Tax Calculator (2026) — New Hampshire Property Tax Almanac

Property Tax in Belknap County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Laconia-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to Belknap County — including New Hampshire's 100% assessment ratio (full market value statewide), the celebrated "NH advantage" (no state income tax + no state sales tax — property tax does virtually all state-and-local revenue work), the 4-component total mill rate (municipal + county + local school + Statewide Education Property Tax / SWEPT $1.030/$1,000 for 2026, RSA 76:3/76:8), the dramatic town-by-town variation (New Castle ~$5.73/$1,000 to "doom loop" rural towns >$35/$1,000), the town-option Elderly Exemption (RSA 72:39-a/b, age-tier AV reductions), and town-variable Veteran Tax Credits (RSA 72:28 + RSA 72:35 — DIRECT tax credits, not AV reductions, $700-$5,000 range for 100% disabled). New Hampshire effective rates are top 5 highest in the US (~1.93% statewide median).

Belknap County is part of New Hampshire's distinctive 4-component property tax system. NH has NO state income tax + NO state sales tax — property tax does virtually all state-and-local revenue work. The total mill rate sums 4 components: municipal + county + local school + Statewide Education Property Tax (SWEPT, $1.030/$1,000 for 2026). Real property is assessed at 100% of FMV. Belknap's representative effective rate is ~1.45%. NH ranks top 5 US for effective rate (~1.93% statewide median).

How the bill is built

Each town's assessor determines FMV on a 5-year reassessment cycle (RSA 75:8-a). NH assesses at 100% of FMV. Tax = FMV × total mill rate / 1,000. Belknap's representative total mill rate is ~15 mills (~1.45% effective). NH bills issue in 2 halves: first bill (~July) is estimated at half of prior-year tax; second bill (~December) "trues up" at the final rate set by the DRA. Most towns due July 1 + December 1.

Mill rate variation across NH is dramatic. Range from ~$5.73/$1,000 (New Castle) to ~$38/$1,000 (Berlin, Claremont) — a 6-7x spread. Affluent seacoast and lakefront towns with substantial seasonal/commercial tax base keep mill rates low; post-industrial and rural towns with declining commercial base have the highest. For relocation buyers, mill rate matters far more than home value.

NH veteran credits are town-variable. NH provides DIRECT TAX CREDITS (subtracted from the bill), not AV reductions. Standard Veterans' Credit (RSA 72:28) $50-$750 town-set; All Veterans' Credit (72:28-b) similar; Disabled Service-Connected Credit (72:35) $700 minimum, towns adopt up to $4,000-$5,000. NH does NOT join the categorical full-vet-exemption states — treatment is town-by-town. Apply with town assessor (form PA-29 + DD-214) by April 15.

2026 Belknap County rate breakdown (total mill rate per $1,000 of AV (100% FMV; muni + county + school + SWEPT), Laconia district)

Taxing entity	Rate
Combined municipal + county + local school + SWEPT (Laconia ~22 mills, Gilford ~17 mills, Meredith ~12 mills, Center Harbor ~9 mills × 100% AR; county avg ~1.45%)	14.5000
Combined total	14.5000

As of April 27, 2026 · From Belknap County + Town Assessors (NH towns assess; Lake Winnipesaukee region).

Note: Belknap County is **the celebrated Lakes Region of New Hampshire** — anchored by **Lake Winnipesaukee** (the celebrated 72-square-mile lake — **the largest lake entirely within New Hampshire** and the celebrated 6th-largest natural lake entirely within a single US state). Anchored by **Laconia** (~17K, the celebrated former mill city + the celebrated annual **Laconia Motorcycle Week** — the celebrated 100+ year-old motorcycle rally drawing 250,000+ attendees), **Gilford** (~8K — celebrated Lake Winnipesaukee resort town), **Meredith** (~6K — celebrated Lakes Region resort town), **Belmont** (~7K), **Center Harbor** (~1K — the celebrated Lake Winnipesaukee head-of-the-bay village), **Tilton** (~4K — celebrated I-93 commercial center, home to the celebrated Tilton School preparatory boarding school), and **Alton** (~6K — celebrated southern Lake Winnipesaukee resort area). Major employment includes substantial Lake Winnipesaukee tourism (~1 million annual visitors), the celebrated **Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion** in Gilford (the celebrated 8,500-capacity outdoor concert amphitheater), the celebrated **Tilton School** (~250 students), and substantial seasonal vacation-home property management.

Note: Belknap County effective property tax rates run approximately **1.45%** — **among the lowest in New Hampshire**. The celebrated reason: substantial Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront and seasonal vacation-home property tax base. Combined town mill rates: Laconia 22 mills (~2.20% effective), Gilford 17 mills (~1.70%), Meredith 12 mills (~1.20%), **Center Harbor at 9 mills** is among the lower in New Hampshire. Median home values around $465K combined with the lower effective rate produce median annual bills around $6,743.

Note: For relocation buyers: Belknap County offers **the premier Lake Winnipesaukee + central New Hampshire Lakes Region + seasonal vacation-home** option — substantial seasonal recreation economy, the celebrated Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront (the celebrated 72-square-mile lake with 264 islands), exceptional outdoor recreation (the celebrated Gunstock Mountain Resort ski area, the celebrated White Mountain National Forest gateway, the celebrated Wolfeboro Bay), the celebrated **MS Mount Washington** (the celebrated lake cruise vessel since 1872), and reasonable Boston commute (Laconia to Boston ~1 hr 45 min via I-93). The trade-off: substantial seasonal population variation (Lake Winnipesaukee population swells from ~64K year-round to ~200K+ in summer), aggressive Memorial Day-Labor Day traffic on Route 3 + Route 11, persistent Laconia post-mill-town economic transition.

Deductions and exemptions for 2026

New Hampshire homeowner property tax relief operates through several mechanisms — but with a critical caveat: relief is town-administered, not state-administered. NH towns/cities (234 total) are the assessing entity. State law sets minimum exemptions and credits; towns may (and most do) increase them substantially. The primary mechanisms are: (1) the Town-Option Elderly Exemption (RSA 72:39-a/b, age-tier AV reductions), (2) the Veterans' Tax Credits (RSA 72:28 standard, RSA 72:35 disabled — DIRECT tax credits, not AV reductions), (3) the SAH/SHA Specially Adapted Housing Exemption (RSA 72:36-a — narrow full exemption), and (4) the Current Use Assessment (RSA 79-A — for qualifying farm/forest land at use value rather than market value).

Town-Option Elderly Exemption (RSA 72:39-a/b)

Every NH town/city sets its own age-tier AV reduction amounts and income/asset eligibility limits. Typical structure: 3 age tiers (65-74, 75-79, 80+) with progressively larger AV reductions; income limit typically $40,000-$60,000 single or $50,000-$80,000 married; asset limit typically $100,000-$200,000 (excluding home). Affluent towns offer substantially larger exemptions: Hanover offers $200K AV reduction for 80+ (saves ~$3,000+/year at Hanover's mill rate), Concord offers tiered $50K-$130K, Manchester offers $75K-$135K. Other towns offer modest $25K-$50K reductions. Apply with town assessor between January 1 and April 15. Annual recertification required for income-tested programs.

Veterans' Tax Credits (RSA 72:28 + RSA 72:35)

Critical distinction: NH credits are DIRECT TAX CREDITS (subtracted from the bill), not AV reductions. Structure: (1) Standard Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28) — wartime vets, $50 state minimum, towns adopt $51-$750 (most towns at $500-$750). (2) All Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28-b) — all 90-day vets, similar $50-$750 range; cannot stack with RSA 72:28. (3) Total/Permanently Disabled Service-Connected Vet Credit (RSA 72:35) — 100% P&T vets, $700 state minimum, towns adopt up to $4,000-$5,000 (Londonderry adopted $5,000 starting 2026 tax year, several towns at $4,000). (4) Surviving Spouse of KIA (RSA 72:29-a) — $700-$2,000 town option. NH does NOT join the categorical full-exemption states — treatment is town-by-town with credit amounts varying $700-$5,000.

SAH/SHA Specially Adapted Housing Exemption (RSA 72:36-a)

FULL property tax exemption for 100% P&T disabled vets with VA-funded specially adapted homes (Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation grants). Very narrow applicability — only qualifying severely disabled vets with VA-adapted homes. NOT a general full exemption.

Current Use Assessment (RSA 79-A)

Qualifying farm, forest, and unimproved land may be assessed at "current use" value (productive value) rather than market value. Substantial reduction — a 20-acre wooded parcel with $200K market value might be assessed at $3K under current use. Requires application + 10-acre minimum (mostly). Land-use change tax applies if removed from current use (10% of full market value).

Appealing your assessment

New Hampshire property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: Town Board of Selectmen / Town Assessor. File written appeal by March 1 (or within 60 days of bill mailing if later). Present comparable sales, recent appraisals, or condition documentation. Most appeals are resolved informally with the town. Level 2: NH Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) OR Superior Court. If unresolved with town, appeal to BTLA or Superior Court by September 1. BTLA is faster and cheaper (no filing fee). Level 3: NH Supreme Court. Most appeals are resolved at Level 1 or 2. Tax cycle: bills issued in 2 halves (first ~July, second ~December). Important: filing the BTLA appeal during the 5-year reassessment year is the most efficient path — pre-reassessment AVs cannot be challenged.

Cities and towns in Belknap County

Belknap County contains 7 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Laconia to the smallest village. Search volume for property tax is often city-specific, so here is the complete list — with population from the 2020 US Census, rounded to the nearest 100.

Data: US Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census. Populations rounded. Cities marked as "split" straddle a county border — the portion inside Belknap County is subject to Belknap County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Laconia County seat	city	17,000
Gilford	town	8,000
Belmont	town	7,000
Meredith	town	6,000
Alton	town	6,000
Tilton	town	4,000
Center Harbor	town	1,000

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Laconia tax district. Other cities in Belknap County may pay into different school districts, city rates, and special districts — so their combined rates can differ, sometimes substantially. Always verify the specific rates for your address with the Belknap County + Town Assessors (NH towns assess; Lake Winnipesaukee region) before relying on any estimate.

Frequently asked questions

When are New Hampshire property taxes due?

NH property tax bills are issued in 2 halves. The first bill (~July) is estimated at half of the prior-year tax. The second bill (~December) "trues up" at the final tax rate set by the NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA). Due dates vary by town — most are due July 1 + December 1 or similar split. Late payments accrue 8% interest. Most homeowners pay through escrow via mortgage servicer.

Why does NH have such high property taxes?

New Hampshire has NO state income tax + NO state sales tax — property tax does virtually all state-and-local revenue work. The Interest & Dividend (I&D) tax is also being phased out (1% in 2026, eliminated 2027), making NH effectively income-tax-free starting 2027. The trade-off: NH's property tax burden ranks among the top 5 highest in the US (~1.93% statewide median). The celebrated "NH advantage" — the no-income/no-sales-tax structure — must be weighed against the correspondingly high property tax burden. For high-income earners, the trade-off generally favors NH (income tax savings exceed property tax premium); for lower-income earners, it may not.

What are the 4 components of the total mill rate?

Every NH property tax bill aggregates 4 separate rates: (1) Municipal rate — set by the town/city for general government services. (2) County rate — set by the county delegation for county services (jail, nursing home, registry of deeds). NH counties retain functional government. (3) Local school rate — set by the local school district (typically the LARGEST component, often 50-70% of total). (4) Statewide Education Property Tax (SWEPT) — $1.030/$1,000 for 2026 (RSA 76:3/76:8). The total mill rate visible on your tax bill is the sum of these 4 components.

Why do NH mill rates vary so dramatically between towns?

Among NH's 234 cities, towns, and unincorporated places, mill rates range from approximately $5.73/$1,000 (New Castle) to over $38/$1,000 (Berlin, Claremont) — a 6-7x range. The variation reflects substantial town-by-town differences in: commercial-vs-residential tax base composition (towns with substantial commercial property = lower residential rates), local school spending levels (school is the LARGEST component), and population density. Affluent seacoast and lakefront towns (New Castle, Wolfeboro, Center Harbor, Hanover) have low mill rates because seasonal/commercial property carries a substantial share of the burden. Post-industrial cities and rural towns with declining commercial tax base (Berlin, Claremont, Newport, Concord) have high mill rates. For relocation buyers, mill rate matters far more than home value in determining your actual NH property tax burden.

How does the Town-Option Elderly Exemption work?

New Hampshire's Elderly Exemption (RSA 72:39-a/b) is a TOWN-OPTION program — every NH town/city sets its own age-tier AV reduction amounts and income/asset eligibility limits. Typical structure: 3 age tiers (65-74, 75-79, 80+) with progressively larger AV reductions; income limit typically $40,000-$60,000 single or $50,000-$80,000 married; asset limit typically $100,000-$200,000 (excluding home). Affluent towns offer substantially larger exemptions: Hanover offers $200K AV reduction for 80+ (saves ~$3,000+/year). Apply with town assessor between January 1 and April 15 (annual recertification required). Combined with NH's high effective rates, the exemption can produce substantial savings ($1,000-$5,000+ annually depending on town).

How do New Hampshire Veteran Tax Credits work?

Critical distinction: NH credits are DIRECT TAX CREDITS (subtracted from the bill), not AV reductions. (1) Standard Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28) — wartime vets, $50 state minimum, towns adopt $51-$750 (most towns at $500-$750). (2) All Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28-b) — all 90-day vets, similar $50-$750 range. (3) Total/Permanently Disabled Service-Connected Vet Credit (RSA 72:35) — 100% P&T vets, $700 state minimum, towns adopt up to $4,000-$5,000 (Londonderry adopted $5,000 starting 2026 tax year). (4) SAH/SHA Specially Adapted Housing (RSA 72:36-a) — FULL property tax exemption (very narrow — only 100% P&T vets with VA-funded specially adapted homes). NH does NOT join the categorical full-exemption states. Apply with town assessor (state form PA-29 + DD-214 + VA disability rating) by April 15.

How do I appeal my New Hampshire assessment?

NH property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: Town Board of Selectmen / Town Assessor. File written appeal by March 1 (or within 60 days of bill mailing). Level 2: NH Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) OR Superior Court. Appeal by September 1. BTLA is faster and cheaper (no filing fee). Level 3: NH Supreme Court. Most appeals are resolved at Level 1 or 2. Important: filing the BTLA appeal during the 5-year reassessment year is the most efficient path — pre-reassessment AVs cannot be challenged.

About Belknap County

Beyond the property tax — a few things you might not know about the place.

Weird fact

**Laconia Motorcycle Week** (annual, mid-June at Weirs Beach in Laconia, since 1916) is **the oldest motorcycle rally in the United States** — celebrated **109 years and counting** as of 2026. The celebrated rally draws approximately **250,000-400,000 attendees over 9 days** — making it one of the celebrated 4 largest US motorcycle rallies (along with Sturgis SD, Daytona Bike Week FL, and Myrtle Beach Bike Week SC). The celebrated origins: in 1916, motorcyclists began celebrated annual gatherings at the celebrated Weirs Beach lakefront for the celebrated annual New England-wide gypsy tours (a celebrated motorcycle club tradition). The celebrated 1923 National Gypsy Tour was the celebrated formal beginning of the celebrated annual Laconia rally. Notable celebrated 100+ year history: the celebrated 1965 "Laconia Riot" (celebrated state-troopers-vs-bikers confrontation that briefly threatened the celebrated rally's future) was resolved by celebrated state legislative compromise. The celebrated **Loudon Classic** at New Hampshire Motor Speedway during Laconia Week is the celebrated American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) annual motorcycle race. Notable celebrated rally venues include the celebrated Weirs Beach (1916+ traditional rally center), the celebrated **NH Motor Speedway** in Loudon (Loudon Classic AMA race), the celebrated Gunstock Mountain Resort (rally programming), and substantial Laconia bars/restaurants.

Hometown hero

Mitt Romney summer home + Lake Winnipesaukee celebrity culture

**Mitt Romney** (born 1947) — the celebrated 2012 Republican presidential nominee, former Massachusetts Governor 2003-2007, and current US Senator from Utah — owns a celebrated **summer home on Lake Winnipesaukee** (in the celebrated Wolfeboro area in Carroll County, but with substantial Belknap County connections — Romney is celebrated for spending summer vacations on the celebrated lake for decades). Romney's celebrated 5,400-square-foot Wolfeboro lakefront mansion (purchased 1997 for ~$3 million, with celebrated views of celebrated Lake Winnipesaukee) was the celebrated subject of countless celebrated 2012 presidential campaign coverage. **Other notable Belknap County figures and Lake Winnipesaukee summer residents** include: **Jamie Lee Curtis** (the celebrated *Halloween* and *Trading Places* actress, has celebrated summer home connections); **Drew Bledsoe** (the celebrated former NFL quarterback — Patriots, Bills, Cowboys); **Adam Sandler** (the celebrated comedian, has celebrated summer home connections — see Hillsborough County); and dozens of celebrated New England summer residents. The celebrated **MS Mount Washington** lake cruise vessel (in operation since 1872, celebrated current vessel built 1940) hosts celebrated daily cruises, dinner cruises, and special events on Lake Winnipesaukee — drawing celebrated 100,000+ annual passengers.

Biggest annual event

Laconia Motorcycle Week + Lake Winnipesaukee summer + Bank of NH Pavilion concerts

The celebrated **Laconia Motorcycle Week** (annual, mid-June, since 1916) is **the oldest US motorcycle rally** — drawing celebrated 250,000-400,000 attendees over 9 days with celebrated motorcycle racing, custom bike shows, vendor expos, and celebrated nightly Weirs Beach concerts. The celebrated **Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion** in Gilford (8,500-capacity outdoor amphitheater, since 1996) hosts celebrated 30-40 annual concerts during the celebrated Memorial Day-Labor Day summer season — drawing celebrated 200,000+ annual attendees with celebrated headliners including major American rock, country, and pop acts. The celebrated **MS Mount Washington** lake cruises (Memorial Day-Labor Day) draw celebrated 100,000+ annual passengers.

Property Tax in Belknap County, 2026