• Learn about tax lien laws in the state of New Hampshire.old barn image by SSGuess from Fotolia.com
  
  In the Granite State, like other states in the country, if you do not pay your taxes, the government can place a lien on your property. Ultimately, if that lean is not rectified, the home can then be sold at auction to cure the lien. It is important for owners of New Hampshire real estate to understand the laws associated with tax liens so that they know the time in which they have to remove lien and keep their property.
  
  

Interest

• If a New Hampshire taxpayer fails to pay his property taxes a tax lien certificate is issued on the property for the amount which is owed. Along with that certificate, the defaulted taxpayer is charged 18 percent interest per year until the balance is paid off. If partial payments are made, then the payment reduces the principal balance, though interest continues to accrue. This is defined in New Hampshire statute RSA 80:69.
  
  

Notice to Mortgagee and Holder

• Once the tax lien has been filed, the Tax Assessor must notify both the lender and defaulted taxpayer within 45 days. This notice will include the name of the owner, address of the property and the amount due on the lien. Additional costs for filing forms will be added to the tax lien, however, interest will not accrue on those amounts. This notice will be delivered either by certified mail, or in person to the parties involved. This is accordance with New Hampshire statute RSA 80:65
  
  

Abatement

• A land owner who has a tax lien placed on their property may apply for abatement from the local town selectman or governing body. The abatement will be considered by the aboard and either approved or denied. Abatements may be granted for such hardships as death or disability on a case by case basis. The rules governing abatement are specific to each town within the state of New Hampshire.
  
  

2 Years and a Day

• If there has been a tax lien on a property for 2 years and a day, it then becomes the property of the local town or city in accordance with New Hampshire statute 80:76. The payment must have been made in full. Any money which has been paid against the lien will not be refunded to the defaulted taxpayer. The local town or city does have the right to reject ownership of that property if it would put the town at risk or cause considerable financial responsibility.