Frequently Asked Questions

As defined in NMSA 7-36- 20, wet or irrigated land is all agricultural land, of which a minimum of one acre is cultivated, and is receiving supplemental water through irrigation ditches.

A minimum of one acre will be designated as a home site and will be valued at market value. A home site, as defined in the NMSA 7-36- 20-E means the site is used primarily as a residence and is more than the boundary of the foundation of an improvement used as a residence. All remaining land will receive the agricultural valuation rate providing that the primary use of the remaining land qualifies as Agricultural under the statute.

Grazing valuation claims require proof of the presence of at least one animal unit on a parcel meeting minimum acreage requirements and proof that the livestock has access to all of the agricultural land for the tax year. It must also be demonstrated that the parcels have adequate features to support livestock (e.g., fencing, water sources, etc.). Proof may be in the form of grazing lease, a personal property declaration of livestock that graze on the land, or some other proof of grazing use. However, grazing must be the primary use of the land in order to qualify.

The NM Tax and Revenue Department issues an order each year specifying the carrying capacity for land in each county. Carrying capacities are typically stable and generally do not change from year to year. In Grant County, there are two classes of grazing land based on carrying capacities observed throughout the county. Class A grazing land can support 8 animal units per section (640 acres) and 80 acres (enough to support one animal unit) is the minimum amount of land required to receive the special method of valuation. Class B grazing land can support 12 animal units per section (640 acres) and 53.3 acres (enough to support one animal unit) is the minimum amount of land required to receive the special method of valuation.

One animal unit is defined as one cow or five sheep or five goats.

Agricultural products include: plants, crops, trees, forest products, orchard crops, livestock, wool, mohair, hides, pelts, poultry, fish, dairy products and honey.

Yes. Property Tax Division Regulation 36-20:7 indicates the application form may contain a request for providing information regarding the owners farm income and farmers expense as reported to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service on Schedule F.

The determination is based on the evidence provided. No exemption will be granted if there is evidence that the land is being held for speculative land subdivision and sale; for commercial use of a non-agricultural nature; recreational use; if the land is being leased and whether or not the lessee is using it for agricultural purposes; Or any other nonagricultural use.