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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Strafford County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Strafford County, NH. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
$20.96 per $1,000 of assessed value (varies by municipality and special taxing districts)
Exemptions
6+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Strafford County, New Hampshire operates under a property tax system that serves as the primary funding mechanism for local government services, including municipal operations, school districts, and county services. Property taxes in Strafford County fund essential services such as education, public safety, road maintenance, and local government operations. The effective tax rate varies significantly by location within the county due to different municipal tax rates and special taxing districts.

For the 2025 tax year, the overall property tax rate for Strafford County is $20.96 per $1,000 of assessed property value, representing a 3% increase over 2024 rates. However, property owners should note that actual tax rates vary considerably by municipality and special taxing districts within Strafford County. Each town and city within the county sets its own municipal tax rate, with special districts for services like water, sewer, or lighting potentially adding additional assessments. Property owners receive tax bills that reflect their specific location's combined rate structure.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $1,000)Description
County Rate$2.52Strafford County services and operations
Municipal Rate$6.44Local town/city services (varies by municipality)
Local School District$11.15Local education funding (varies by district)
State Education Tax$0.85New Hampshire statewide education property tax
Total Base Rate$20.96Combined rate for FY 2025-2026

Note: Rates shown are representative for FY 2025-2026 and vary by specific municipality and school district within Strafford County. Additional special district assessments may apply for water districts, sewer districts, lighting districts, or other special taxing jurisdictions. Property owners should verify their exact rate with their local tax collector, as rates can differ significantly between Durham, Rochester, Dover, and other municipalities within the county.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Strafford County, property taxes are due in two installments:

Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental property taxes in Strafford County are additional tax bills issued when there are changes to property ownership, value, or use that occur after the annual assessment date but before the end of the tax year. Common triggers include new construction completion, property transfers with reassessment, additions or improvements that increase property value, or changes in property use classification (such as residential to commercial).

Supplemental taxes are calculated by taking the difference between the new assessed value and the original assessed value, then applying the current tax rate for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if a $100,000 addition is completed in January and assessed in March, the supplemental tax would be calculated as: ($100,000 × $20.96/$1,000) × (4 months remaining/12 months) = $698.67. The supplemental bill is typically issued within 30-60 days of the triggering event and has its own due date, usually 30 days from the bill date.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Veterans' Tax Credit (if eligible): -$500
  • Net Taxable Value: $299,500
  • Annual Tax: $299,500 × ($20.96/$1,000) = $6,277.32
  • Monthly Escrow: $523.11

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Low/Moderate Income Credit (if eligible): -$1,680
  • Net Taxable Value: $598,320
  • Annual Tax: $598,320 × ($20.96/$1,000) = $12,540.67
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,045.06

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Elderly Exemption Credit (if eligible): -$2,096
  • Net Taxable Value: $997,904
  • Annual Tax: $997,904 × ($20.96/$1,000) = $20,912.10
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,742.68

Note: All tax credits require annual application and income/eligibility verification. Credits shown are estimates and actual amounts vary by municipality and individual circumstances.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Strafford County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments, particularly for loans with less than 20% down payment. Lenders collect monthly escrow payments equal to the annual property tax divided by 12, plus a small cushion typically ranging from 2-3 months of payments. The lender pays property taxes directly to the municipal tax collector when bills are due, usually in July of each tax year.

Property owners should verify that their lender has the correct tax amount, as escrow shortages can occur when property values increase significantly or tax rates change. Lenders typically conduct annual escrow analyses and may adjust monthly payments to account for changes in tax obligations. If you pay taxes independently without escrow, you're responsible for ensuring timely payment to avoid interest charges and potential tax lien procedures. Contact your municipality's tax collector office to confirm payment receipt and maintain records of all tax payments.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Strafford County for FY 2025-2026? A: Property taxes are due in July each year, with the exact date printed on your tax bill. For the 2025 tax year, any second installment payments were due January 20, 2026.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: Available tax credits include Veterans' Tax Credit, Elderly Exemption, Disabled Exemption, and Low/Moderate Income Property Tax Relief. ALL credits require annual application with your local assessor's office by April 15th and are not automatic.

Q: How does the Homestead Exemption work in New Hampshire? A: New Hampshire's Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief caps assessment increases rather than reducing market value. You must own a homestead, meet income requirements, and file annually. This limits how much your assessment can increase year-over-year.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Strafford County? A: Assessment schedules vary by municipality within Strafford County. Most towns conduct full revaluations every 3-5 years, with some using statistical updates in intervening years. Contact your local assessor for your municipality's specific schedule.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Interest charges typically begin accruing the day after the due date, usually at a rate of 12% annually. After 30 days, additional penalties may apply, and liens can be placed on properties with unpaid taxes.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Most municipalities in Strafford County offer online payment options through their websites or third-party services. Check with your specific town or city tax collector for available payment methods and any associated convenience fees.

Q: How do special districts affect my tax bill? A: Special districts for water, sewer, lighting, or other services add separate line items to your tax bill. These rates vary significantly by location and the specific districts serving your property.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: File an abatement application with your local assessor by March 1st following the tax year. You must demonstrate that your assessment exceeds fair market value or contains factual errors. Consider hiring a professional appraiser for complex cases.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
Minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting November 18, 2025strafford.nh.gov
02
Tax Doc
Tax Rate | Town of Strafford NHstrafford.nh.gov
03
Tax Doc
2025 Municipal Tax Ratesrevenue.nh.gov
04
Billing Explanation & Frequently Asked Questionsstrafford.nh.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax Calendardover.nh.gov
06
County
Strafford County NHstraffordcounty.gov
07
Tax Doc
Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Reliefrevenue.nh.gov
08
2024 DP-8 Instructionsrevenue.nh.gov
09
Codes and Ordinances Committeerochesternh.gov
10
2024 Annual Town Report - Strafford Town Hallstrafford.nh.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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