Severance pay in New Hampshire
You were just laid off in New Hampshire. The three issues that matter most right now: (1) New Hampshire has no state income tax, so your severance check has $0 state withholding; (2) your unemployment weekly benefit is capped at $427 and you must file the week you separate to avoid losing benefits; (3) how your severance is structured (lump sum vs salary continuation) and whether PTO is paid out can affect which weeks you can collect unemployment.
New Hampshire at a glance
What severance means in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, severance pay is treated as ordinary taxable income for federal purposes but is not subject to any state income tax because New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages (the Interest & Dividends Tax was fully repealed effective January 1, 2025). Your employer will typically withhold federal income tax at the IRS supplemental wage rate of 22% on severance paid separately from regular wages, plus 7.65% for FICA (6.2% Social Security up to the annual wage base and 1.45% Medicare). This 22% is a withholding rate, not your final tax rate; your actual federal tax liability depends on your total annual income, filing status, deductions, credits, and whether you itemize.
New Hampshire law does not require employers to provide severance pay, but if your employer offers it (or pays out accrued vacation/PTO under company policy), those amounts are considered wages under RSA 275:43 and must be paid on the statutory final-pay deadlines (within 72 hours if you are fired or laid off, or by the next regular payday if you quit). Whether severance affects your unemployment benefits depends mainly on how it is paid: a lump-sum severance payment often does not delay UI eligibility, while salary continuation paid in installments over weeks is typically treated as wages for those weeks and can disqualify you from benefits during that period. PTO or vacation payouts allocated to specific weeks after separation may also affect benefit weeks.
A worked example
- Annual salary: $78,000
- Years employed: 6
- Severance: 8 weeks of pay ($12,000 gross)
- Payment structure: lump-sum severance paid at termination
- State withholding assumption: $0 (New Hampshire has no state income tax)
- Federal withholding assumption: 22% supplemental rate on severance
- FICA assumption: 7.65% (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare)
- Filing status: Single (for context only; does not change withholding rate shown)
Illustrative payroll-withholding estimate for a $12,000 lump-sum severance in New Hampshire: about $8,442 take-home after 22% federal and 7.65% FICA withholding; not final tax advice.
Run your own numbers →Unemployment in New Hampshire
01In New Hampshire, you generally qualify for unemployment insurance (UI) if you lost your job through no fault of your own, earned at least $2,800 in your base period (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before filing), and are able, available, and actively seeking full-time work. Your weekly benefit amount is calculated from your base-period wages (typically about 50% of your prior average weekly wage), with a minimum of $32/week and a maximum of $427/week. Benefits are payable for up to 26 weeks, subject to ongoing eligibility and weekly certification.
02New Hampshire has a one-week unpaid waiting period; your first payable week is week two of your claim. You must file your initial claim the week you separate (do not wait until the following week) and then file a continued claim each week, reporting any earnings and work-search activities. Severance or PTO may affect specific weeks: salary continuation paid in installments is generally treated as wages and can disqualify you for those weeks, while a lump-sum severance payment often does not delay UI. You must report all separation pay, PTO payouts, and any part-time earnings when you file and each week you certify; partial work reduces benefits above a small earnings disregard. For official rules and to file, use NH Employment Security at nhes.nh.gov.
Your first 72 hours
- 01New Hampshire expects you to file the week of separation; delaying can postpone or reduce benefits.
- 02NHES uses this to determine monetary eligibility and base-period wages; incomplete history causes delays.
- 03Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive UI payments once approved.
- 04Gather separation documents: termination/layoff notice, severance agreement, final pay stub, PTO/vacation payout details.You must report severance structure (lump sum vs continuation) and PTO payouts; NHES may request documentation.
- 05New Hampshire requires documented weekly job search to remain eligible; NHES can audit your log.
- 06Job loss triggers special enrollment periods; missing deadlines can leave you without coverage.
This calculator estimates your New Hampshire severance take-home pay using verified state assumptions: 0% state income tax, 22% federal supplemental withholding, and 7.65% FICA. It also estimates your New Hampshire weekly unemployment benefit based on the $32–$427 range and 26-week maximum. Results are educational estimates, not final tax or benefit determinations.
New Hampshire severance FAQ
Does New Hampshire tax my severance check at the state level?
No. New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages or severance. The Interest & Dividends Tax was fully repealed effective January 1, 2025, so state withholding on a severance check is $0.
Will my severance payment delay or reduce my New Hampshire unemployment benefits?
It depends on how severance is paid. A lump-sum severance payment often does not delay UI eligibility, while salary continuation paid in weekly or biweekly installments is typically treated as wages and can disqualify you from benefits for those weeks. You must report the exact structure and amounts to NHES.
Do I have to wait a week before my New Hampshire unemployment benefits start?
Yes. New Hampshire has a one-week unpaid waiting period. Your first payable week is week two of your claim, assuming you file and certify correctly.
How many job contacts do I need to make each week in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire does not specify a fixed minimum number of contacts, but you are expected to make a prudent number of employer contacts and work-search activities each week and keep a detailed log. NHES may set a specific number based on your situation and can audit your records.
If my employer pays out my unused PTO or vacation, does that affect my unemployment claim?
PTO or vacation pay allocated to specific weeks after separation can affect benefit weeks, potentially disqualifying you for those weeks. You must report any PTO/vacation payout and how it is allocated when you file and each week you certify.
Sources & verification (7)
- New Hampshire Employment Security – Unemployment Eligibilityverified 2025-12
- New Hampshire Employment Security – Benefit Amount Scheduleverified 2025-12
- New Hampshire Employment Security – File Unemployment Benefitsverified 2025-12
- IRS Publication 15 (Circular E) – Supplemental Wage Withholding 22%verified 2026-01
- New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration – Interest & Dividends Tax (repealed effective Jan 1, 2025)verified 2025-01
- New Hampshire RSA 275:43 – Weekly Payment of Wages (final pay, PTO)verified 2026-01
- HealthCare.gov – Losing Job-Based Health Insuranceverified 2026-08
Figures are payroll-withholding and benefit-maximum estimates verified 2026-08, not final tax or an eligibility decision. Rules, rates and benefit amounts change — confirm your situation with New Hampshire's official agency. NextClara is not a law firm, tax preparer, employer, or government agency, and gives educational estimates only.