HB1629

House · 2026 sessionBipartisanKilled in House

Repealing the business enterprise tax

Repeals the business enterprise tax and removes all related statutory references throughout state law.

repealing the business enterprise tax.

Taxes - StateBusiness and Industry

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 6, 2026

✓Introduced
✕House
Senate
Governor
Law

Division of testimony

249 submissions

Support 8Oppose 241Neutral 0

Argument digest · AI-generated

from 66 of 66 written submissions

HB1629 would repeal New Hampshire's business enterprise tax (BET), one of the state's major business tax revenue sources. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with critics arguing the state cannot afford to lose this revenue amid an existing budget shortfall and that the gap would ultimately be filled by higher property taxes and cuts to services; a single conditional supporter said he would back full repeal of both major business taxes only alongside matching spending cuts.

Conditional support tied to spending reductionsSupport1 of 66 reviewed
One supporter says he would be willing to see the BET (and the business profits tax) repealed, but would prefer eliminating one tax at a time and wants to see matching spending reductions before endorsing repeal of both.
- “Given the spending ratchet, I am willing to entertain elimination of BET and BPT. But I prefer to kill one utterly first. Show me spending reductions that can support killing both”
  — tom luther, claremont · #544610 — read full submission →
State cannot afford to lose a major revenue sourceOppose45 of 66 reviewed
Opponents argue that the BET is one of NH's largest sources of state revenue and that repealing it, especially while the state already faces a budget deficit, is fiscally irresponsible and would starve state government of needed funds.
Lost revenue would shift the burden to property taxpayersOppose20 of 66 reviewed
Many opponents argue that repealing the BET would force the state or towns to make up the lost revenue through higher property taxes, which they say are already unsustainable for homeowners.
- “The burden from the repeal of this revenue would befall property tax payers who are already struggling to afford their homes.”
  — Michele Flynn, Hillsboro · #545263 — read full submission →
- “Reducing these taxes reduces revenue for the state and eventually leads to more property tax hikes for homeowners. Then you wonder why no one wants to move to our now unaffordable state??”
  — Kim Kouyoumjian, Goffstown · #543114 — read full submission →
Part of a broader pattern of cutting state revenue sourcesOppose8 of 66 reviewed
Some opponents place this bill in the context of prior repeals, such as the interest and dividends tax, arguing the legislature is systematically eliminating revenue sources in a way that undermines the state's ability to function.
- “this legislature has continued its effort to close the state down by eliminating sources of income and this is just one more example of this backwards thinking. We now have no more income and dividends tax”
  — Melanie Hamilton, Northwood · #544804 — read full submission →
- “NH has already restricted the revenue it is taking in by removing the interest and dividend tax. Repealing business taxes will NOT improve our economy”
  — sharon eaton, pembroke · #549204 — read full submission →
Businesses should pay their fair shareOppose9 of 66 reviewed
Opponents argue that businesses and corporations benefit from public infrastructure and services and can afford to contribute, and that cutting their taxes shifts costs unfairly onto individuals.
Threatens funding for education and essential servicesOppose7 of 66 reviewed
Some opponents warn that lost BET revenue threatens funding for schools and other essential local services such as libraries, roads, and police and fire departments.
- “This revenue is important to towns and school districts and should not be cut to make way for school voucher programs. Our children deserve great education”
  — Michele Flynn, Hillsboro · #545263 — read full submission →
- “We really don't want to have no services left do we? That may sound good to some but most of us would disagree if we lost our schools, libraries, roads, police and fire!”
  — Catherine Robertson-Souter, Seabrook · #551872 — read full submission →
Timing is especially reckless given other fiscal pressuresOppose3 of 66 reviewed
A few opponents note the repeal is particularly unwise given other current fiscal strains, such as a proposed $1 billion state bond or the cost of the education freedom account/school voucher program.
- “I don’t understand the logic of repealing taxes when the state is also asking for a bond for $1 billion dollars.”
  — Cynthia V Munford, Bedford · #545078 — read full submission →
- “How do you expect to pay for the out-of-control school voucher boondoggle that Republicans have gifted to private and religious school parents?”
  — Susan Mayer, Lee · #551222 — read full submission →
Warning of electoral consequencesOppose2 of 66 reviewed
A small number of opponents warn that legislators who support the repeal will face backlash from voters in upcoming elections.
- “Cutting another revenue source so that property tax payers shoulder the burden? We will vote you out if you support this bill.”
  — Cate Poole, Wolfeboro · #542824 — read full submission →
- “How much higher can our property taxes go? This is reckless and majorly unpopular in our state. Midterms are coming.”
  — Michael Gentile, Rochester · #547557 — read full submission →

Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 22, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.

Robert DrysdaleOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

We are in a financial crisis. This is not the time to be eliminating taxes.

Donna SeigelOpposeNorth Hampton, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

Please do not give away any more revenue. The state needs it. The poor people need help,

Deanna LussierOpposeRumney, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

I oppose this bill.

Johnna DavisOpposeGilford, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

Please stop the downshifting. Taxpayers can't handle much more.

Patricia HuntOpposeFranconia, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

You have already stripped the state budget to practically nothing - you cannot further reduce business taxes and leave ordinary working people to fund the state. Businesses benefit from plowed roads, fixed bridges, educated citizens, etc. - they should pay taxes!

Gregory DavisOpposeSalem, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

NH is revenue poor. This only lessens the state needed income.

Catherine Robertson-SouterOpposeSeabrook, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

Why are we cutting taxes for the many multinational corporations in NH while putting more tax burden on homeowners? We really don't want to have no services left do we? That may sound good to some but most of us would disagree if we lost our schools, libraries, roads, police and fire! Never mind services for the elderly, disabled, low-income, or mentally ill.

Sarah ChadzynskiOpposeLyndeborough, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

We can’t keep removing funding sources and putting the tax burden on working families here the granite state. We are already pricing our youth, families, and seniors out of NH through increased property taxes. We can’t keep trying to balance the budget on the backs of the working class.

Stephen BilottaOpposeBrookline, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

I am a registered voter in Brookline, NH. I am representing myself and my family. HB1629 Repealing the business enterprise tax makes no sense and we oppose this bill. How can the state pay for its operating expenses without funds coming into the state treasury? The only way to pay for the absence of the business enterprise tax would be to borrow the money. But the state is restricted from using debt to pay its bills according to RSA9:8-b. If we repeal the business enterprise tax we would exceed debt limits prohibited by RSA6-C. And we would have recurring needs each year compounding the state debt burden over time. In addition, borrowing money to pay for state expenditures adds interest cost to borrow the funds. Of course if you could put an extra tax burden on the citizens of New Hampshire but I don’t think they would like that and they would voice their opinions at the voting booth. To bring this bill to a hearing only shows the lack of thought and insight as to its consequences. Please oppose and reject this bill.

Katie DeAngelisOpposeNottingham, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

Stop cutting our state's revenue. Do you want higher property taxes?? Because this is how you get higher property taxes!

Maura AdamsOpposeDeerfield, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

NH has a serious revenue problem. Repealing the business enterprise tax would only make it worse.

Patricia WhitneyOpposeDover, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

The ridiculous and irresponsible loss of state funds are driving NH into a deeper and deeper economic hole.

wendy larsonOpposeKensington, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

How will this revenue be made up? As NH is in a decifit and spending recklessly with the EFA'S, this is not the time to be cutting any revenue source. Less money coming into the state= more pressure on property owners/ property taxes which are hurts our towns and schools. This makes no sense at all. Respectfully, Wendy Larson

Susan MayerOpposeLee, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

This tax cut is utterly irresponsible. The state is already operating at a deficit and this bill wants to cut revenues? What kind of idiocy is this? NH needs the revenue. How do you expect to pay for the out-of-control school voucher boondoggle that Republicans have gifted to private and religious school parents? Not only should there be no more business tax cuts but the earlier ones should be reversed. I don't understand why Republicans are trying to bankrupt the state.

Bill KingstonOpposeNew Castle, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

Repealing this tax is a stupid idea. The State is running a huge deficit and this will put us further in the hole.

Regan LamphierOpposeNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

The state of New Hampshire should support and defend the rights of its citizens - including the right to marry.

Susan HolcombeOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

It seems rather foolish to repeal the business entrprise tax when the state faces fiscal challenges. This will increase financial pressure on property poor towns.

Kevin FlemingOpposeExete, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

Repealing the business profits tax is irresponsible and just wrong.

Catharine FarkasOpposeSanbornton, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

STRONGLY OPPOSE! We need this revenue! The wealthy large corporations, many which are out of state, can afford to pay MORE!

Kirsten HuggerOpposeMont Vernon, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

The state needs a variety of different tax sources to ensure a functioning state government. Cutting this tax only serves to increases property taxes and increase the tax burden on home owners.

Barbara CallawayOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

The state needs revenue. It is folly to do away with this revenue stream. Towns, municipalities and taxpayers need relief

Suzanne WhittemoreOpposeSWANZEY, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

Strongly oppose.

B Michael JusticeOpposePeterborough, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

It' a failure of due diligence to cut revenue when the state is running a deficit. Period.

Mary EwellOpposechesterfield, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

The revenue generated by the business enterprise tax is part of a suite of business taxes that make up the largest single source of revenue in New Hampshire at approximately 36% . Without another approved tax source of similar size removing this tax revenue would be irresponsible to the residents of New Hampshire. Budgets are already tight and funding limited in the state, this would even further degrade initiatives in the state to draw in new residents and provide work force housing to grow our economy.

Linda MacGuffieOpposeLaconia, NHfor MyselfJan 21, 2026

NH needs to restructure it's budget and this is definitely not the way to do it.