Exemptions are deductions from your net taxable value permitted by State law when specific requirements are met.

HEAD OF FAMILY Exemption.

In order to qualify you must meet at least one of the following:

1. Property owner
2. On residential property ONLY
3. Reside in New Mexico

To apply you must come into the Assessor's office and sign the back of the original Notice of Value between JANUARY 1st and FEBRUARY 28th, After you sign up, the exemption is automatically renewed each year. The exemption of $2,000 is deducted from the taxable value amount.

NOTE: The Head of Household exemption can ONLY be applied to residential Property.

VETERANS Exemption.

In order to qualify you must be an honorably discharged Veteran from the U.S. Armed Forces and residing in New Mexico. To apply the veteran must present a "certificate of eligibility" from the New Mexico Veterans Service Commission for the tax exemption. The veteran must present the certificate of eligibility in person between JANUARY 1st and FEBRUARY 28th to the assessor's office to receive the exemption. After the exemption has been applied it will be automatically renewed each year as long as there is no change to the listed owner. NOTE: The Veteran's Exemption may be applied to residential or non-residential property.

TOTALLY Disabled Veterans Exemption:

The property of a disabled veteran or his/her spouse , including joint or community property, is totally exempt from property tax if it is occupied by the disabled veteran or or his/her spouse as their principal place of residence.

DISABLED VETERAN Means an individual who has been honorably discharged (other than a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge) from membership in the armed forces of the United States, and has been determined pursuant to federal law, to have a permanent and total service connected disability.

Qualification for this exemption requires the claimant to present a certificate of eligibility to the Assessor. The certificate may be obtained from the New Mexico Veterans' Service Commission located at 101 West Animas Street in Farmington.

The New Mexico property tax code provides for total exemption from the property tax for certain entities. Property must be used for religious, educational, or charitable purposes. All churches, educational, and charitable organizations must claim their exemption for it to be allowed. Claim forms may be obtained from the Assessor’s office.

Contact the Assessor's office. Name and address changes must be filed with the Assessor's office.

The Treasurer's Office is the collector of taxes. The "tax roll" (which lists taxpayer's addresses and other permanent information) is compiled and certified by the County Assessor. Only a court order or Assessor's authorization can change the tax roll. If you call the Treasurer's office to change your address you will be referred to the Assessor's office.

If you are purchasing the property on a Real Estate Contract the previous owner's name will continue to appear on the Notice of Value and the Tax Bill until the real estate contract is paid off. If you are not on a contract, bring your recorded deed or other legal documents to the Assessor's office to verify our records with yours.

It is possible a low-income senior citizen may qualify for a property tax rebate. Please call or visit the New Mexico State Taxation & Revenue Office in Farmington for more details.

First, come to the county Assessor's office in person and talk to an appraiser. They will review the value of the property and if you still disagree, then request a protest packet. You have thirty (30) days from the date of the mailing of the Notice of Value to file this protest with the County Valuation Protest Board through the Assessor's office. The Assessor will notify the property owner by certified mail at least fifteen (15) days before the hearing dates. Please note that State law places the responsibility on the property owner to prove the valuation is incorrect.

The State Legislature has mandated the county assessor to re-appraise all property within a county every two (2) years. This is to insure a fair and equal tax to all residents based on a current and realistic property value.

The valuation of a single family dwelling owned and occupied by a person with low income who is sixty-five (65) years of age or older, or disabled, and whose modified gross income, as defined by the New Mexico income tax act, for the prior year did not exceed an amount adjusted annually for inflation. The property value will be frozen at the value the property had in the 2001 tax year, the year in which the owner has his/her sixty-fifth (65) birthday if it is after 2001, or the tax year following the tax year in which the owner who turns sixty-five or is sixty-five years of age or older, or is disabled, first owns and occupies the property. The limitation of value will be applied in the tax year in which the owner files an application for the limitation. The application is available at the County Assessor’s office. It is necessary to apply for this value limitation each year.

Please contact the Assessor’s office for the current year's income limit.

The Assessor's Office compiles a "tax roll", listing each property. The property may include improvements (house, barns, sheds, etc.). "Full Value" is the appraised value determined by a San Juan County Appraiser. "Taxable Value" is one third (33 1/3%) of the "Full Value" of the taxed item. The "Tax Rate" is expressed in dollars of tax per thousand.

The tax rate is established every year by the State Department of Finance and Administration based on the budgets submitted to the State by county schools, cities and the Voters, through the approval of bond issues. The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration certifies the tax rate every September.

A Notice of Value (N.O.V) is a form mailed to the owner of property within San Juan County, notifying them of the assessed value placed on their property by the assessor for tax purposes. The N.O.V. will describe the property being taxed, the full value and taxable value. The N.O.V. is NOT A TAX BILL.

There are many reasons why a valuation could change, most changes are due to: additions to existing construction, or construction may have been completed on the property , thus raising the "improvement" value", OR the property was re-assessed as mandated by the State.

The Assessor mails out the Notice of Value's prior to April 1st of each year (usually near the end of February).

If you have no questions regarding the assessed value, mailing address or property description it is not necessary to do anything. The notice is simply that - a Notice of Value.

Definitely, YES, Whether or not you received a Notice of Value or Tax Bill, does not relieve you of your responsibility to pay taxes; including any late charges if paid after the due date. Obviously it is to your advantage to receive proper notification of taxes, so please keep your mailing address current.