New Hampshire tax sale statutes

The governing law

New Hampshire does not sell tax lien certificates, and unless a town has voted otherwise no investor buys anything when taxes go delinquent. Taxes unpaid on December 1 after assessment carry 8 percent a year interest; the town or city tax collector then gives 30 days' notice and executes a real estate tax lien to the municipality itself, which takes priority over all other liens. Anyone with a legal interest may redeem for two years by paying the lien plus 14 percent a year on the whole recorded amount, plus costs and any later taxes the town paid with the same 14 percent. If the lien is not redeemed, the collector, after 30 days' notice to the owner and mortgagees, deeds the land to the town (a town may refuse the deed, which leaves the lien and the right to redeem open indefinitely). The investor sale comes after that: with authority voted at town meeting or by the city council, the town sells tax-deeded land by public auction or advertised sealed bids, at a minimum and on terms its governing body sets, or by another method it finds in the public interest, such as listing with a broker. At least 90 days before offering it, the town must notify the former owner, who may repurchase by paying the back taxes, interest, costs and a penalty. From the sale price the town keeps only those amounts and pays any excess into superior court for the former owner and lienholders, a duty that ends three years after the tax deed is recorded. A town that votes for it may also auction its liens during the two-year redemption period under 80:80 II-a; that is uncommon and each town decides for itself.