The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration is reminding low- and moderateincome property taxpayers that they have until the end of June to apply for a rebate on their 2020 property tax bills — but the program applies only to the Statewide Education Property Tax (SWEPT) and not to either the local school property tax or municipal property tax, which make up the bulk of a homeowner’s tax bill.

SWEPT was introduced in 1999 at a rate of $6.60, which two years later was reduced to $4.92. Since 2005, the rate has been set at a level to raise $363 million. As property values have risen, the original rate of $3.33 has fallen to the current rate of $1.825 in 2021.

The state rebate applies only to the first $100,000 of the assessed value of the property.

To qualify for the program, a single homeowner must have annual income of $20,000 or less and $40,000 or less if head of the household. Rebates for individuals range from 100% of the bill for those earning less than $12,500 to 20% for those earning between $17,500 and $20,000. For households, rebates range from 100% of the tax bill for those with income of less than $25,000 to 20% for those with incomes between $35,000 and $40,000.

With a SWEPT rate of approximately $1.825 per $1,000, the 100% rebate for either singles or households amounts to less than $200. The rebate to a married head of household earning $35,000 with a $200,000 home would be $40.

The New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute reported that, in 2018, property tax levies amounted to approximately $2,800 per capita, while the average property tax rebate paid to low- and moderate-income individuals and households was $160.

— MICHAEL KITCH