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Press Release For Immediate Release Date: February 06, 2026

Contact Department of Revenue Administration
(603) 230-5000

NH Department of Revenue Administration Welcomes James Vara as Assistant Commissioner and Adam Denoncour as Director of the Municipal and Property Division

Vara was confirmed by the NH Executive Council January 7 and Denoncour was confirmed December 3

Concord, NH – James Vara of Andover has stepped into the role of Assistant Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA), bringing with him more than 20 years of experience in New Hampshire state government. Widely respected for this leadership and deep policy expertise, Vara was confirmed by the New Hampshire Executive Council on Wednesday, January 7, for a four-year term. Vara most recently served as Director of the Office of Legislative Services for the New Hampshire General Court.

DRA also filled out its leadership team as Adam Denoncour of Dunbarton is taking over as Municipal and Property Division Director. The New Hampshire Executive Council confirmed Denoncour on Wednesday, December 3. Denoncour, a New Hampshire native, replaces Samuel Greene, who recently retired after having served in the role since 2022.

“I am extremely pleased to have James and Adam take on these two critical leadership positions. Each brings strategic insight and a commitment that will help us strengthen efficiency, foster innovation, and elevate our customer service and communication efforts as we administer New Hampshire’s tax laws,” said Lindsey Stepp, Commissioner, DRA. “James will be an exceptional partner and leader for the agency, as his deep understanding of New Hampshire state government and his extensive experience leading complex government agencies will make him an invaluable addition to our leadership team.”

In his role as Assistant Commissioner, Vara is responsible for representing DRA at public hearings; guiding all information technology initiatives; and overseeing the Administrative Unit’s staff. He also advises senior leadership on tax policy, personnel matters, projects and contract management, and oversees key functions across the agency – including the Business Office, Legal Bureau, Hearings Bureau, Human Resources, Internal Auditor, and the Tax Policy and Legislative Group.

“I am honored for the opportunity to support DRA’s ongoing work to administer our tax laws fairly and efficiently, and to continue to enhance the experience for taxpayers,” Vara said. “My extensive and varied experience in state government has given me a strong understanding and appreciation of DRA’s critical role in our state, and I look forward to using that insight to drive initiatives forward. Public service has always been a core value in my family, and I view DRA as the backbone of our state in ensuring we have the revenue needed to support essential services.”

Vara previously served as Chief Operating Officer for the New Hampshire Liquor Commission from 2019 to 2024 and as Chief of Staff for the New Hampshire Department of Justice from 2017 to 2019. Vara also served as the state’s Advisor on Addiction and Behavioral Health for the Office of the Governor and as Senior Assistant Attorney General. Vara received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Montclair State University and his Juris Doctorate from the Rutgers University School of Law. Vara has been a member of the New Hampshire State Bar Association since 2004.

In his new role as Municipal and Property Division Director, Denoncour – who has worked at DRA since 2018 – is responsible for planning, managing and carrying out the Division’s objectives, including ensuring fairness, equity and proportionality in the assessment and collection of property taxes. He also oversees the administration of municipal finances across New Hampshire, which encompasses establishing tax rates, providing technical assistance and education to municipal officials, monitoring revaluations, reviewing assessment practices, equalizing local assessed valuation, appraising public utility and railroad property, and administering timber and gravel taxation.

“This is an exciting opportunity and I am eager to bring a fresh perspective, new ideas and an open mind as I step into this role,” Denoncour said. “Our Division plays a vital educational role, and I look forward to ensuring municipal officials have the resources and knowledge they need to assess and tax property fairly and equitably. We have a tremendous environment and culture here at DRA and I am proud to support the important role our agency plays in state operations.”

During his tenure at DRA, Denoncour has served in various roles within the Municipal and Property Division, including Real Estate Appraiser, District Supervisor and most recently as Assistant Director. Denoncour played a key role in the implementation of DRA’s Revenue Information Management System, which replaced a 30-year-old system by upgrading and consolidating the functionality of all tax administration processes. Denoncour received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Keene State College and a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Hampshire.

“Adam brings a depth of expertise that has long benefited DRA and our customers, the taxpayers of New Hampshire,” Stepp said. “With more than 14 years’ experience in appraising and assessing and a forward-thinking approach and mindset, I am confident Adam will excel in guiding the Municipal and Property Division.”

DRA’s Municipal and Property Division establishes and approves municipal, school, county, state and village district tax rates, and provides technical assistance relative to taxation and finance to the more than 500 political subdivisions of the state. The Division also oversees the Assessment Review and Equalization bureaus. (The Assessment Review is the process of reviewing the assessing practices of each municipality over a five-year cycle to ensure compliance with applicable statutes and rules in the context of the Assessing Standards Board's Guidelines on Assessing Practices. Equalization is the process of equalizing local assessed values for each municipality to bring assessed values to 100% of market value annually.) For more information, visit revenue.nh.gov/mun-prop.

Caption: James Vara of Andover is taking over the role of Assistant Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. Vara was confirmed by the New Hampshire Executive Council on Wednesday, January 7, for a four-year term.

Caption: Adam Denoncour of Dunbarton is filling the role of Director of the Municipal and Property Division of the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. The New Hampshire Executive Council confirmed Denoncour on Wednesday, December 3.

About the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) is responsible for fairly and efficiently administering the tax laws of the State of New Hampshire. DRA collects approximately 80% of New Hampshire’s general taxes. During Fiscal Year 2025, DRA collected $2.7 billion in taxes, most of which went to the New Hampshire General Fund and Education Trust Fund. DRA also assists municipalities in budgeting, finance, and real estate appraisal. DRA administers and collects the following taxes at the state level: Business Enterprise Tax, Business Profits Tax, Communications Services Tax, Interest and Dividends Tax, Meals and Rooms Tax, Medicaid Enhancement Tax, Nursing Facility Quality Assessment, Tobacco Tax, Taxation of Railroads, Utility Property Tax, Real Estate Transfer Tax; and assists with the following taxes at the local level: Property Tax, Excavation Tax, Timber Tax. To learn more about DRA, please visit www.revenue.nh.gov.

Press Release

Media Contact:

Jeff Mucciarone

Mobile: 413-454-4179

j eff@montagnepowers.com