Frequently Asked Questions
What is Londonderry's tax rate?
The 2007 tax rate for Londonderry is $18.22 per thousand. This is set annually in October by the Department of Revenue.
What is the ratio for Londonderry?
The 2007 ratio for Londonderry is 99.3% This set by the Department of Revenue (DRA). At the end of each year, we
send a report to the DRA with all of the sales that occured between October 1st and September 30th. The State (DRA) compares
the assessed value and the selling price to determine a ratio between the two. All sales between family members, sales within
corporations, foreclosures, and fiduciary sales are not considered to be an armslength sale and are eliminated. The DRA then
does an average and determines what each Town's ratio is for the previous year. The 2008 ratio will be available in the Spring
of 2009.
When does the tax year start?
The tax year by State Law starts on April 1st and runs through March 31st (the next year). When you are building a structure,
you are taxed on what is there on April 1st of any year. When you remove a structure (i.e., pool), if it is taken down after
April 1st, you will be taxed until the next year.
When do I apply for an exemption or credit?
April 15th is the deadline for all applications for exemptions and credits. See exemptions on our website for specifics, or
call the Assessor's office at (603) 432-1100, ext. 135 for more information.
The Town of Londonderry has had an on-going Cyclical Inspection program since 2002. At this time, we have almost completed measuring
and listing the entire town. During the late Summer of 2008, we will be starting again in South Londonderry with Map 1.
This program is only to verify the information that we have on our property record card. Your value will change only if we find
discrepanceis.
Why are properties being re-inspected?
Abatement forms are available in the Assessor's office and on-line after the final tax notice (December tax bill) has been mailed.
The last day to apply for an abatement is March 1st following the final tax bill.
How do I apply for an abatement?
To find the value of any piece of property, the Assessor must first know what properties similar to it are selling for; what it would
cost to replace it; how much it takes to operate and keep it in repair, what rent it may earn; and many other dollar facts affecting
the value, such as the current rate of interest charged for borrowing the money to buy or build properites like yours. Using
these facts, the Assessor can then go about finding the property value in three differents ways:
Sales Comparison Approach
The
first method compares your property to others that have recently sold. These prices, however, must be analyzed very carefully
to get the true picture. One property may have sold for more than it is really worth because the buyer was in a hurry and would
pay any price. Another may have sold for less than it was worth because the owner needed cash right away. The property
was sold to the first person that made an offer. When using the sales comparison approach, the Assessor must always consider
such over-pricing or under-pricing and analyze many sales to arrive at a fair valuation for your property. Size, quality, condition,
location, and time of sale are also important factors to consider.
Cost Approach
A second way to value your property is based
on how much money it would take, at current material and labor costs, to replace your property with one similar. If your property
is not new, the Assessor must also estimate how much a lot like yours would be worth, if vacant.
Income Approach
The third way
is to evaluate how much income your property would produce it if were rented as an apartment house, a store, or a factory. The
Assessor must consider operating expenses, taxes, incsures, maintenance costs, and the return most people would expect on your kind
of property.
How is property appraised?
In accordance with RSA 79, Timber Tax, an "intent to cut" applicaiton must be completed and submitted to the Assessing Department
before any timber can be cut from any property. The application can be completed by the logger but must be signed by the owner,
as the owner is the person responsible for the payment of the timber tax. There can be exceptions to a cut. The law allows
for up to 10,000 board feet of logs or 20 cords of wood yield tax free per tax year, so long as the logs or wood is used for th personal
use of the owner. The logs or wood cannot be sold or even given in lieu of payment for the timber cut; a yield tax would be
issued if that were the case. For purposes of land conversion, for example land developed for a house, an "intent to cut" is
not required if less than 10,000 board feet or 20 cords of wood are cut. Applications are available at the Assessor's office;
contact us if you have any questions.
When do I need a permit to cut down trees?
The Assessing office has a computer available for public use. You may also access www.londonderrynh.org - Departments - Assessing
- Town Assessments. A digital file on CD ROM containing current assessing information may be purchased through the office for
a fee of $75.00
How do I access the Assessing database to view an assessment, and/or print a property record card?
The tax maps are available on-line at www.londonderrynh.org - click on EServices/Map Tools, then click on "Click Here to Enter Map
Tools Website", then you can search for the property.
How can I access the tax maps?
