Self-employed in New Hampshire: taxes and retirement for 2026
What consultants, freelancers, content creators, entrepreneurs, gig workers, tipped workers and tradespeople in New Hampshire need to know this year: New Hampshire income and estimated tax rules, and how to save for retirement without an employer plan.
Guides for New Hampshire
New Hampshire rules that apply
- State income tax (2026)
- New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages or self-employment income. The Interest & Dividends Tax was repealed for tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2025. New Hampshire does not tax wages, but its business taxes (BPT/BET) apply to proprietorships above the filing thresholds.
- New Hampshire Business Profits Tax (BPT)
- 7.5% tax on New Hampshire business profits. It applies to proprietorships, LLCs, and other business organizations with more than $109,000 in gross business income from all activities, for tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2025 (the threshold is adjusted every 2 years). Proprietors file Form NH-1040. If the tax is more than $200, four 25% estimated payments are due on the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, 9th, and 12th months.
- New Hampshire Business Enterprise Tax (BET)
- 0.55% tax on the enterprise value tax base, which is compensation, interest, and dividends paid. A business must file if it has more than $298,000 in gross receipts or more than $298,000 in enterprise value tax base, for tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2025 (adjusted every 2 years). BET paid can be credited against the BPT.
- Minimum wage (2026)
- $7.25 an hour; tipped cash wage $3.27 an hour. New Hampshire law sets its minimum wage at the federal rate. Tipped workers at restaurants, hotels, and similar businesses who receive more than $30 a month in tips must get a base rate of at least 45% of the minimum ($3.27), and tips must bring them to $7.25.
- Unemployment ABC test (RSA 282-A:9, III)
- For unemployment insurance, paid services count as employment unless the state is shown all three: the worker is free from control, the work is outside the business's usual course or outside all its places of business, and the worker is customarily in an independently established business.
- Wage-law independent contractor criteria (RSA 275:42, II)
- Under New Hampshire wage law, a worker is not an employee only if they meet all 7 criteria. They have an EIN or SSN; control how the work is done; control when it is done; hire and pay their own helpers; hold themselves out as in business (or are registered with the state) with ongoing business obligations; are responsible for finishing the work; and are not required to work only for that business.
Questions
Do self-employed people in New Hampshire pay state income tax?
New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages or self-employment income. The Interest & Dividends Tax was repealed for tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2025. New Hampshire does not tax wages, but its business taxes (BPT/BET) apply to proprietorships above the filing thresholds.
Are there other New Hampshire taxes for self-employed self-employed people?
New Hampshire Business Profits Tax (BPT): 7.5% tax on New Hampshire business profits. It applies to proprietorships, LLCs, and other business organizations with more than $109,000 in gross business income from all activities, for tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2025 (the threshold is adjusted every 2 years). Proprietors file Form NH-1040. If the tax is more than $200, four 25% estimated payments are due on the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, 9th, and 12th months. New Hampshire Business Enterprise Tax (BET): 0.55% tax on the enterprise value tax base, which is compensation, interest, and dividends paid. A business must file if it has more than $298,000 in gross receipts or more than $298,000 in enterprise value tax base, for tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2025 (adjusted every 2 years). BET paid can be credited against the BPT.
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- www.revenue.nh.gov/news-and-media/nh-department-revenue-administration-shares-2026-tax-tips-and-filing-guidance
- gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXIII/279/279-21.htm
- www.revenue.nh.gov/resource-center/frequently-asked-questions/business-profits-tax
- www.revenue.nh.gov/taxes-glance/business-taxes
- gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXIII/282-A/282-A-9.htm
- gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXIII/275/275-42.htm
Facts researched from official sources and independently re-checked; last verified October 2026, next scheduled review 2027-01-02. Educational information for 2026, not tax, legal or investment advice. Rules change; check the official sources listed and a tax professional for your situation. Gigaverse AI, Inc. is a financial technology company, not a bank, and not itself a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer.