About this programme
The Economic Revitalization Zone (ERZ) Tax Credit is a short-term business tax credit, run by the Division of Economic Development within the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA), for projects that improve infrastructure and create jobs in designated zones of a municipality.
As of the latest community listing, there are 227 ERZ locations across 77 New Hampshire municipalities. A zone has to already be designated by BEA, with the city or town holding a Designation Letter of Certification, before a business inside it can claim the credit.
How it works
To qualify, a business must create one or more new full-time incremental jobs and make a capital investment in the business during a calendar year. Typical qualifying projects include new construction, renovation, expansion, or new equipment.
A full-time position is defined as at least 35 hours a week in a permanent, year-round role. New hires are counted with their annualized wages, even if hired late in the year.
A project that runs over more than one calendar year can potentially qualify for a credit in each year, as long as that year had both capital investment and new incremental jobs.
Eligible invoices must be dated within the calendar year being claimed; prior-year invoices don't count, with one exception for equipment that had to be ordered in advance but is delivered within the eligible year.
The taxpayer must guarantee that all elements of the project are completed. Failing to complete the project means forfeiting any remaining credit.
Who can apply
The business must be located within a designated Economic Revitalization Zone, verified by street address or tax map/lot, and the municipality must hold a current ERZ Tax Credit Designation Letter of Certification from BEA.
The business must show both new incremental full-time job creation and capital investment (a project) within the calendar year being claimed.
How to apply
- Complete Form ERZ-2, Tax Credit Certification for Business Applicants, typing all information.
- In Section A, provide business information, the business EIN, the ERZ street address or tax map/lot, and a copy of the municipality's ERZ Designation Letter of Certification.
- In Section B, describe the project and actual (not estimated) investment costs in detail, including cost invoices, and list every new full-time incremental position created that year with hiring date, wage rate, hours, and annualized wages.
- In Section C, attach the required document checklist.
- In Section D, initial the project guarantee and sign the form.
- Mail or email the completed, original, signed application, postmarked or sent on or before February 10 following the tax year, to the ERZ Program Administrator at the Division of Economic Development, 100 North Main St., Suite 100, Concord, NH 03301, or to bridgett.e.beckwith@livefree.nh.gov.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Completed Form ERZ-2 (all three pages)
- Copy of the municipality's ERZ Tax Credit Designation Letter of Certification
- Cost invoices and documentation of actual project investment, dated within the eligible calendar year
- Annualized wage details for each new full-time incremental position created
Frequently asked
How do I qualify for the credit?
Create one or more new full-time incremental jobs and make a capital investment in your business during a calendar year, inside a designated Economic Revitalization Zone.
When is the application due?
All submissions must be postmarked on or before February 10 each year, with no exceptions, and there are no retroactive credits for prior years.
Can my project span more than one year?
Yes. You can apply for a credit in more than one calendar year if each year had its own capital investment and new incremental jobs.
What invoices count?
Only invoices dated within the calendar year being claimed, except equipment that had to be ordered in advance and is delivered within the eligible year.
What happens if I don't finish the project?
The taxpayer must guarantee the project will be completed; failing to complete it means forfeiting any remaining credit.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.