Temporary modification of interest penalty for late payment of property taxes
WHEREAS, on Friday, March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak; and
WHEREAS, on Friday, March 13, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 2020-04, An order declaring a state of emergency due to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19); and
WHEREAS, experts indicate that COVHJ-19 is most commonly spread from an infected symptomatic person to others through respiratory droplets, including:
Through the air by coughing and sneezing;
Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.
WHEREAS, the CDC reports that COVID-19 may be spread before an infected person shows symptoms of the virus; and
WHEREAS, in the days since the Governor declared a State of Emergency, the COVID-19 outbreak in New Hampshire has expanded significantly; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health has found that community-based transmission of COVID-19 continues to increase in the State and has been identified in the majority of counties; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 has caused financial and economic hardship for the people of New Hampshire leading to unemployment and loss of income; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Emergency Order # 17, all non-essential businesses were required to close and New Hampshire residents have been ordered to stay at home, except for essential errands, impacting the public's ability to earn a living; and
WHEREAS, property tax bills will be due by July 1 and residents and business are facing unprecedented challenges brought on by COVID-19, leaving some without the ability to pay these bills.
Now therefore, pursuant to Section 18 of Executive Order 2020-04 it is hereby ordered, effective immediately, that:
1. Municipalities and Counties are authorized to use their abatement authority, pursuant to RSA 76: 16 and RSA 29: 12, to grant blanket abatements of the interest charged on all property taxes not paid after their assessment, for the duration of the State of Emergency declared in Executive Order 2020-04 and any subsequent orders. Individual applications for abatements of interest are not required pursuant to this Emergency Order.
2. The temporary prohibition on foreclosures imposed by Emergency Order #4 shall apply to late payment of property taxes. Foreclosure proceedings related to late payment of property taxes are hereby suspended for the duration of the State of Emergency declared in Executive Order 2020-04.
Given under my hand and seal at the Executive Chambers in Concord, this 3rd day of April, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and twenly, and the independence of the United States of America, two hundred and forty-four.
CHRISTOPHER T. SUNUNU
GOVERNOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE