RSA 72:39-a — Conditions for Elderly Exemption. –

I. No exemption shall be allowed under RSA 72:39-b unless the person applying therefor:
(a) Has resided in this state for at least 3 consecutive years preceding April 1 in the year in which the exemption is claimed.
(b) Had in the calendar year preceding said April 1 a net income from all sources, or if married, a combined net income from all sources, of not more than the respective amount applicable to each age group as determined by the city or town for purposes of RSA 72:39-b. Under no circumstances shall the amount determined by the city or town be less than $13,400 for a single person or $20,400 for married persons. The net income shall be determined by deducting from all moneys received, from any source including social security or pension payments, the amount of any of the following or the sum thereof:
(1) Life insurance paid on the death of an insured;
(2) Expenses and costs incurred in the course of conducting a business enterprise;
(3) Proceeds from the sale of assets.
(c) Owns, on December 31 in the calendar year preceding said April 1, net assets not in excess of the amount determined by the city or town for purposes of RSA 72:39-b, excluding the value of the person's actual residence and the land upon which it is located up to the greater of 2 acres or the minimum single family residential lot size specified in the local zoning ordinance. The amount determined by the city or town shall not be less than $35,000. A city or town may set a combined net assets amount for married persons in such greater amount as the legislative body of the city or town may determine. "Net assets" means the value of all assets, tangible and intangible, minus the value of any good faith encumbrances. "Residence" means the housing unit, and related structures such as an unattached garage or woodshed, which is the person's principal home, and which the person in good faith regards as home to the exclusion of any other places where the person may temporarily live. "Residence" shall exclude attached dwelling units and unattached structures used or intended for commercial or other nonresidential purposes.
II. Additional requirements for an exemption under RSA 72:39-b shall be that the property is:
(a) Owned by the resident; or
(b) Owned by a resident jointly or in common with the resident's spouse, either of whom meets the age requirement for the exemption claimed; or
(c) Owned by a resident jointly or in common with a person not the resident's spouse, if the resident meets the applicable age requirement for the exemption claimed; or
(d) Owned by a resident, or the resident's spouse, either of whom meets the age requirement for the exemption claimed, and when they have been married to each other for at least 5 consecutive years.
III. Upon the death of an owner residing with a spouse pursuant to subparagraph II(b) or II(d), the combined net asset amount for married persons determined by the city or town shall continue to apply to the surviving spouse for the purpose of the exemption granted under RSA 72:39-b until the sale or transfer of the property by the surviving spouse or until the remarriage of the surviving spouse.