Joe Sweeney, Executive Councilor for New Hampshire, said in a statement released April 28 that House Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee had the option to slam the door shut on an income tax by voting with the Republicans, but they decided to keep that door open. The remarks followed an 11-9 party-line vote advancing a constitutional amendment to prohibit a state income tax from committee to full House consideration, according to InDepthNH.org.
The debate over a potential state income tax has drawn attention due to New Hampshire’s longstanding policy of not imposing broad-based personal income or general sales taxes. The proposed amendment would place language in the state constitution barring lawmakers from adopting a personal income tax. The measure previously passed the Senate 16-8 and is scheduled for House floor action on May 14. New Hampshire has never had a broad-based personal income tax, as reported by InDepthNH.org.
Sweeney said, “They don’t want a constitutional ban on an income tax in New Hampshire. It seems pretty clear to me that, one day, they want to have an income tax in our state—and that’s just wrong. We’re only ever one election away from becoming one of those high-tax states. We always hold the line here in New Hampshire against the income tax.”
New Hampshire local governments derive 61 percent of their revenue from property taxes, which is the highest share of any state in the nation. A typical $500,000 home faces property tax bills ranging from roughly $1,310 to $18,270 annually depending on community location. This heavy reliance has fueled ongoing debates about affordability for homeowners and renters alike, according to NH Fiscal Policy Institute.
The Granite State maintains neither a broad-based personal income nor general sales tax and consistently ranks among top states for overall low state and local tax burdens and business competitiveness nationally. This environment is viewed as key for economic growth and resident retention in New Hampshire, according to Tax Foundation.
Sweeney has represented Rockingham District 25 in the New Hampshire House of Representatives as a Republican since 2022 and previously served other districts. He also sits on Salem Town Council and holds degrees in political science and public policy from University of New Hampshire. Sweeney has focused his legislative service on limited government and economic opportunity issues, according to NH House GOP.
