How Portsmouth sets its budget and tax rate
The City moves through the same six-step rhythm every year. The Council adopts a total budget in June; the NH Department of Revenue Administration certifies a tax rate in the fall; bills go out in December.
Annual budget cycle
- Step 1Jan-MarDepartment hearings
- Step 2April-MayCity Manager proposes
- Step 3MayCouncil work sessions
- Step 4JuneAdoption
- Step 5FallNH DRA sets tax rate
- Step 6DecemberBills go out
Six steps from budget to tax bill
Council adopts a total budget
The Portsmouth City Council adopts the operating and non-operating budgets in June. For FY27, the Manager proposes a total of $157,971,390.
Estimate non-property-tax revenues
The City forecasts state aid, fees, permits, parking, school tuition, and interest. For FY27 these total $31,722,183.
Apply fund balance and reserves
FY27 uses $3,500,000 of accumulated fund balance to offset what would otherwise be raised by taxes.
Calculate the property tax levy
Total budget minus revenues minus fund-balance use equals the property tax levy. For FY27 this is $122,749,207.
Divide by the assessed value of the City
The NH Department of Revenue Administration determines the equalized assessed value. Portsmouth's implied total assessed value at the proposed rate is roughly $10,169,776,885.
That gives you the tax rate
Levy ÷ (Assessed Value ÷ 1,000) = $12.07 per $1,000 of assessed value. A $777,200 home would owe roughly $9,381 for the year.
Tax rate calculator
Your estimated FY27 property tax bill
Enter your assessed value (close to market value in NH). The FY27 proposed rate is $12.07 per $1,000 of assessed value. For comparison, FY26 was $11.51.
Final rate is set by the NH Department of Revenue Administration in the fall and may differ from the proposed rate shown.