New Hampshire Payroll & Paycheck Tax Calculator
Running payroll in the Granite State shouldn't feel like climbing Mount Washington in a blizzard. From Manchester to Portsmouth, our New Hampshire Payroll Tax Calculator makes calculating employee withholdings as refreshing as autumn in the White Mountains. While there's no state income tax on wages, you still need to handle federal requirements and unemployment insurance—all simplified with our tool.
New Hampshire Payroll Tax Steps
New Hampshire’s lack of state income tax on wages might make payroll seem as easy as tax-free shopping, but don’t let that fool you. Between federal withholdings, unemployment insurance, and unique state requirements, there’s still plenty to manage. Our calculator helps you navigate New Hampshire’s payroll landscape without slipping on black ice, ensuring accurate calculations from the Seacoast to the North Country.
Here are some key steps you’ll have to take to make smarter payroll decisions.
Step #1: Register with New Hampshire Employment Security
Even without state income tax on wages, you'll need to register with New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES) for unemployment insurance. New Hampshire's online Employer Portal makes registration as straightforward as the state motto—Live Free or Die. You'll also need to register for a state tax ID if you have dividend or interest withholding obligations.
New employers pay 1.2% unemployment tax on the first $14,000 of each employee's wages for their first three years.
Step #2: Handle New Hampshire's Simplified Form Requirements
The Granite State's paperwork is refreshingly light without state income tax forms:
- Federal W-4 forms for withholding (no state form needed!)
- Federal forms from the IRS: • Form 941 (Quarterly federal tax return) • Form 940 (Federal Unemployment Tax, FUTA) • W-2 and 1099 (Year-end wage reporting)
- New Hire Reports: Submit within 20 days to NH New Hire Registry
- Workers' Compensation: Required for all employers with employees
- Quarterly wage reports for unemployment
New Hampshire does tax dividends and interest income, so be aware if you pay bonuses structured as dividends.
Step #3: Understand New Hampshire's Minimum Wage and Overtime Laws
New Hampshire's minimum wage follows the federal standard of $7.25 per hour. Tipped employees can be paid $3.27 per hour (45% of minimum wage), with employers making up any difference if tips don't reach full minimum wage. Youth workers under 16 may be paid $6.16 per hour (85% of minimum) for the first 90 days.
For overtime, New Hampshire follows federal FLSA rules: 1.5x regular pay after 40 hours per week. No daily overtime requirements exist, and weekends or holidays don't automatically trigger overtime unless exceeding 40 weekly hours.
Step #4: Meet New Hampshire's Pay Period Requirements
New Hampshire requires employees to be paid within 8 days after the end of the pay period—one of the strictest requirements in the nation. Most employers choose weekly or bi-weekly pay periods to ensure compliance. Monthly payment is allowed only with written authorization from the employee and approval from the Department of Labor.
When employment ends, New Hampshire has specific deadlines: terminated employees must receive wages within 72 hours, while employees who quit must be paid by the next regular payday. Employers can mail checks only with written authorization.
New Hampshire doesn't mandate paid sick leave, vacation, or holiday pay. However, if promised in company policies, these benefits become enforceable.
Step #5: Use our Simple New Hampshire Payroll Calculator
Without state income tax on wages, New Hampshire calculations are straightforward:
- Federal income tax withholding
- FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare)
- Federal unemployment tax (FUTA)
- State unemployment tax (SUTA)
Our calculator provides instant, accurate calculations for gross pay, federal deductions, and net take-home pay—proving the Granite State keeps it simple.
Step #6: Submit Federal Taxes and File New Hampshire Unemployment Reports
New Hampshire employers have lighter filing requirements than most states:
- Quarterly wage and contribution reports to NHES
- Federal tax deposits and returns (941, 940)
- Annual W-2 and 1099 filings
- No state income tax filings for wages!
Without state income tax withholding, you can focus on federal compliance and unemployment obligations. After three years, unemployment rates adjust based on experience, ranging from 0.1% to 7.0%.
Fingercheck and any related entities do not offer tax, accounting, or legal advice. This content is designed for informational purposes only and should not be considered a source of tax, legal, or accounting advice. It is recommended that you consult your tax, legal, and accounting advisors before undertaking any related activities or transactions.