Governor Sununu Statement Regarding Revenue Increase to Municipalities from the Meals and Rental Tax

Concord, NH – Today, Governor Chris Sununu issued the following statement after the New Hampshire Senate announced that New Hampshire municipalities are receiving a 45% increase in revenue from the Rooms and Meals Tax, thanks to the recently enacted Republican state budget.

“We cut the rooms and meals tax to its lowest level in over a decade and yet we still sent even more money back to cities and towns,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “Instead of downshifting costs, we downshifted cash, giving cities and towns extra flexibility — a win for our citizens."

Note: The New Hampshire Senate Release is copied below.

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Republican budget delivers major tax relief for NH communities

NH cities and towns receive 45% increase in Meals & Rentals revenue

CONCORD, NH - New Hampshire municipalities are receiving a 45% increase in revenue from the Meals and Rentals Tax, thanks to the recently enacted Republican state budget.

Under HB 2, the local share of revenues from the state’s tax on restaurants, hotels, and car rentals increased to 30%, up from 22% in the last budget. Together with strong growth in New Hampshire’s hospitality industry, this results in more than $100 million going directly to local coffers to help keep local property tax rates down. In total, the New Hampshire Treasury is transferring $100,143,752 to cities and towns by the end of the day. That represents an increase of 45.5% ($32M) from Fiscal Year 2021.

Senate President Chuck Morse (R-Salem), said, “Cutting taxes is always a priority for Republicans. It puts more money in working families pockets, makes living in New Hampshire more affordable and tells businesses that New Hampshire is the place they should set up shop. The additional $32M being sent back to our cities and towns will make a real difference, especially when it comes to helping to lower local property tax rates.”

The increase in Meals and Rentals (M&R) Revenue Sharing was spearheaded by Sen. Denise Ricciardi (R-Bedford), whose legislation was incorporated into the state budget package in June. “I made it my goal this past session to protect local property taxpayers by making certain the state kept its promise to share more of the revenues that our M&R tax generates. I am happy and extremely satisfied that today, our cities and towns will finally receive the amount they’ve been promised for so long,” said Ricciardi.

Increased revenue sharing is just one example of how the new budget is delivering tax relief for Granite Staters. The balanced budget also lowered businesses taxes, began the phase out the Interest and Dividends Tax on seniors’ investment income, and cut $100 million from the Statewide Property Tax.
 
Note: Town-by-Town list of Rooms & Meals Revenue Sharing allocations can be found here.