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Frequently Asked Questions - Business Profits Tax

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What is the Business Profits Tax (BPT)?

For taxable periods ending on or after December 31, 2023, a 7.5% tax is assessed on income from conducting business activity within the State of New Hampshire. For taxable periods ending on or after December 31, 2022, a business organization deriving gross business profits from business activity both within and outside of the State shall apportion gross business profits using the single sales factor. Organizations operating a unitary business must use combined reporting in filing their New Hampshire business tax return.

The link below provides the history of BPT rates.

 

BPT and BET Rates Chart pdf file

Who pays BPT?

Any business organization, organized for gain or profit carrying on business activity within the State is subject to this tax.

For tax years beginning January 1, 2023, pursuant to RSA 77-A:6, the Commissioner of the DRA biennially adjusts the BPT filing thresholds for inflation, rounding to the nearest $1,000, using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, Northeast Region as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor using the amount published for the month of June in the year prior to the start of the tax year.

Business Profits Tax Historical Filing Thresholds
Taxable Periods Beginning: Gross Business Income in Excess Of:

1/1/2023 - 12/31/2024

$103,000

Taxable Periods Ending: Gross Business Income In Excess Of:
On or after 12/31/2022 $92,000
After 6/30/1993 $50,000

 

When is the BPT return due?

For taxable periods beginning after December 31, 2015, partnership returns are due on the 15th day of the 3rd month following the end of the taxable period. Corporate, proprietorship, fiduciary and combined returns are due on the 15th day of the 4th month following the end of the taxable period.

Do I have to make estimated payments?

Four estimates are required, paid at 25% each on the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, 9th and 12th month of the taxable period, for any tax liability greater than $200.

Am I required to pay estimates during my first year?

Yes, if the tax liability is greater than $200, but you may qualify for an exception from the penalty under RSA 21-J:32, IV(d) by filing Form DP-2210/2220.

Who do I contact with questions?

Call Taxpayer Services at (603) 230-5920.

I have a proprietorship; can I split the rental income between my wife and myself?

No, not unless two separate and distinct proprietorships exist. See NH Code of Administrative Rules Rev 307.04(e).

Do I have to file a BPT return if my installment sale income is less than the BPT statutory filing threshold?

The filing requirement is determined in the year of the sale for all years irrespective of the years in which income is received. So, if the gross business income is greater than the BPT statutory filing threshold in the year of the sale, regardless of the amount received in subsequent years, you are required to file until all installments are reported. See NH Code of Administrative Rules Rev 302.07(f).

Are Sub-S corporations treated differently in New Hampshire than C corporations for tax purposes?

No, Sub-S corporations are treated the same as C Corporations. The flow-through items on Schedule K are incorporated into corporate income when determining taxable business profits.

Do all Federal Schedules need to be attached to returns?

Yes. All federal schedules must be included with original and amended returns. Proprietorships must include Schedules C, D, E, F, 4797, 6252, if applicable. For more information, see the "General Instructions" under the applicable tax year on the Forms and Instructions page of our website.

How do I calculate the Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryover?

For purposes of calculating the amount of any NOL carryover deduction allowed under RSA 77-A:4, XIII for tax periodsending on or after December 31, 2022, Section 172 of the Internal Revenue Code in effect per RSA 77-A:1, shall be followed. For taxable periods ending on or after July 1, 2005 through tax periods ending before December 31, 2022, Section 172 of the Internal Revenue Code in effect on December 31, 1996 shall be followed. For tax periodsending before July 1, 2005:

(1) Any loss amount shall first be carried back to those tax years required by the Internal Revenue code without application of the election in section 172(b)(3) and applied to any income in the carryback tax years, before any remaining loss is carried forward as a NOL deduction.
(2) The carryback of losses as provided in (1) above shall result in neither an allowable NOL deduction in the carryback years nor a refund of previously paid taxes. An Amended return filed for such purposes shall be prohibited.
(3) The business organization's failure to carryback NOLs and apply them to the income of prior profitable years shall result in the loss being presumed to be fully absorbed in the carryback year(s).

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How is the NOL carryforward computed?

An NOL shall only be apportioned in the year incurred according to RSA 77-A:3 and RSA 77-A:4, XIII. An NOL may only be carried forward for the 10 years following the loss year. The amount of NOL generated in a tax year that may be carried forward is limited as follows:

Date: Maximum Amount:
On or before 6/30/2003 $ 250,000
7/1/2003 - 6/30/2004 $ 500,000
7/1/2004 - 6/30/2005 $ 750,000
7/1/2005 - 12/31/2012 $1,000,000
on or after 1/1/2013 $10,000,000

Is the DP-132, NOL Deduction Form, required?

Yes, for the year the NOL deduction is used. You must show proof of the loss year being claimed.

Can I amend for an NOL and get a refund?

No. NOLs must be carried back for 3 years only for purposes of determining the carry forward amount for tax periods ending before July 1, 2005. See "How do I calculate the Net Operating Loss (NOL)?" above.

Can the NH Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) credit be taken against BPT & Business Enterprise Tax?

Yes. For more information call the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration's Taxpayer Services at (603) 230-5920 or visit the NH CDFA's website at www.nhcdfa.org.

When filing a Form DP-2210/2220, must the same exception be used in all four quarters?

No, each quarter stands on its own.


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What is a unitary business?

A unitary business is defined by RSA 77-A:1 XIV as "one or more related business organizations engaged in business activity both within and without this state among which there exists a unity of ownership, operation, and use or an interdependence in their functions." See NH Code of Administrative Rules Rev 300 Unity of Ownership; Unity of Operation; Unity of Use; Interdependence in their function.

What does nexus mean?

Whether an entity is required to file business tax returns depends on whether it has nexus with a state. Nexus is defined as some definite link, or minimum connection, between the state and the entity it seeks to tax. If you are an out-of-state business that sells or leases tangible personal property in this State, refer to NH Code of Administrative Rules Rev 304.01 for an illustrative listing of those activities that create nexus.

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