By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH
CONCORD – Under pressure from the two Democrats who want his job, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu issued his 25th emergency order on Friday, one that could provide relief to local property taxpayers who fall behind.
The order says municipalities and counties are now authorized to grant blanket abatements of the interest charged on all property taxes not paid after their assessment for the duration of the state of emergency. Individual applications for abatements of interest are not required, Sununu said in the order.
The temporary prohibition on foreclosures imposed by a previous emergency order will also apply to late payment of property taxes, the order said.
“With Emergency Order #25, municipalities will now have the option to offer a blanket abatement of interest for late property tax payments. I encourage municipalities to utilize this authority where they are able to provide relief to their citizens,” Sununu said.
Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky, D-Concord, a gubernatorial candidate, has been calling on Sununu to suspend interest, penalties and liens imposed on late payment of property taxes in upcoming tax bills.
“I’m glad he’s taken action today so that Granite Staters won’t be crushed by interest and penalties on late property tax payments,” Volinsky said on Friday evening.
In an op-ed piece, Volinsky said: “Providing property tax relief in a time of crisis should not be a political issue.
“The fact that property taxes are coming due as thousands of Granite Staters lose their jobs raises questions about the property tax that we have avoided for far too long, but we must wait a little longer to address these concerns.”
State Sen. Dan Feltes, D-Concord who is also running for governor, said it is a helpful step, but it’s discretionary and Granite Staters are still on the hook for record-high property taxes that will only worsen due to COVID-19.
“Federal stimulus funds can and should be used to protect local budgets, protect critical public services, and protect property taxpayers,” Feltes said.
“We need to provide immediate assistance to our towns and cities which why I proposed a $100 million distribution from the federal stimulus into our towns and cities on a ‘per person’ basis to help them with additional, unexpected expenses and revenue losses brought on by this public health crisis.”
Emergency Order #25: Temporary modification of interest
penalty for late payment of property taxes.