State Veteran Benefits
State Benefits
Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
The property of a disabled veteran, including joint or community property of the veteran and the veteran’s spouse, may be exempt from property taxation if it is occupied by the disabled veteran as the veteran’s principal place of residence. For purposes here, a disabled veteran is a veteran who has been determined by federal law to have a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability. Certain discharges may render a veteran ineligible for this benefit.
Standard Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Up to $4,000 of the taxable value of property, including the community or joint property of husband and wife, subject to the tax is exempt from the imposition of the tax if the property is owned by a veteran or the veteran’s unmarried surviving spouse if the veteran or surviving spouse is a New Mexico resident. Certain discharges may render a veteran ineligible for this benefit.
Reduced Registration Fees
Every person who is entitled to a veteran exemption and who does not have sufficient real or personal property to claim the full property tax exemption may be eligible to pay motor vehicle registration fees at two-thirds the rates charged on vehicles the veteran owns.
Exemption from Excise Taxes on Vehicle Purchases
Vietnam Veteran Scholarship
The Vietnam Veteran Scholarship will pay tuition at any state funded post-secondary school. Reimbursement is available for books and fees. For any non-state institution, tuition reimbursement will not exceed an amount higher than the highest resident tuition charged at a state institution, and the fees and costs of books shall not exceed financial aid guidelines. All billing is directed to the New Mexico Higher Education Department. Any person who has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States, who was a resident of New Mexico at original time of entry into the Armed Forces or who has lived in New Mexico for ten years or more and who has been awarded a Vietnam Campaign Medal for services in the armed forces of this country in Vietnam during the period of August 5, 1964 to the official termination of the Vietnam conflict as designated by executive order of the president of the United States, is eligible for certification.
Wartime Veteran Scholarship Fund
Children of Deceased Veterans
This scholarship applies to matricular fees, board and room rent, and books and supplies for the use and benefit of the children, not under sixteen and not over twenty-six years of age, of: (1) those persons who were residents of New Mexico at the time of entry into military service and who entered the military service of the United States during World War I or II, or during any action in which the military forces of the United States are engaged in armed conflict, and who were killed in action or died of another cause during the conflict or as a result of such military service; (2) deceased members of the New Mexico national guard who were killed while on active duty in the service of the state after having been called to active duty by the governor; and (3) deceased members of the New Mexico state police who were killed while on active duty in the service of the state.
Eligible children may be admitted to state educational institutions free of tuition. Not more than $300 shall be paid, in addition to the free tuition, for any child for one year.
High School Diploma for WWII, Korean & Vietnam Veterans
Any veteran who left a New Mexico high school before graduating to serve in World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam conflict may be awarded a valid high school diploma issued from the high school they were attending.
In-State Tuition
Veterans, their spouses, and their children no longer have to wait to establish “in-state” residency status when applying for college. Those who wish to use their G.I. Education Benefit Bill can now immediately take advantage of less-expensive “resident” in-state tuition rates at any state funded college, university, vocational school or vocational training program.
Military Children School Enrollment Priority
Veteran License Plates
The following license plates are available for a one-time $17.00 fee. Recipients are then responsible for any annual vehicle license fee which may apply:
The following license plates are available free of charge for any qualified veteran who can provide proof of eligibility:
Gold Star Family License Plate
The Gold Star Family License Plate is available for any family which has had a son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, parent or step-parent killed in combat. There is a four-plate limit per family. The first plate is free and all fees will be waived over the lifetime of the recipient. The remaining three plates are also free, but these recipients are responsible for an annual $17.00 plate registration fee.
Patriot License Plate
The Patriot License Plate can be purchased by any licensed New Mexico driver who wants to recognize the contribution and sacrifice of the men and women who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces. The fee is $27.00.
Free and Reduced-Fee Recreational Benefits
Disabled Veteran State Parks Pass Application
Free State Monuments and Museums Pass: a New Mexico veteran rated 50% or higher service-connected disabled may obtain a free State Monument and Museum Pass for personal use only.
Monuments and Museums Pass Application
Veterans’ Day Recreation and Museum Privileges: every Veterans’ Day, any New Mexico resident who was honorably discharged from the Armed Forces or is currently on active duty, along with their spouses and children, is entitled to free use of any New Mexico state park. Admission fees will also be waived for campsites, the Museum of New Mexico, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, and the New Mexico Museum of Space History.
Hunting and Fishing
Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License for Disabled Veterans: Any New Mexico veteran rated 100% service-connected disabled is eligible for a free lifetime New Mexico small-game hunting and fishing license.
Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Appliaction
Temporary Hunting and Fishing License for Active-Duty: Any active-duty military personnel, National Guard, or Reserve member who is legally domiciled resident of New Mexico can apply for a temporary active duty fishing or small game hunting license. Applicants must show proof of residency and not claim residency elsewhere. Applicants may also apply if they are on active duty outside the state but are currently on leave here in New Mexico for not more than 30 days.
Hunting Fee Discount for Non-Resident Veteran Undergoing Rehabilitation: Hunting licenses for deer, antelope, elk, javelina, and turkey may be sold to non-resident disabled military members or veterans at resident license-fee rates if the applicant is undergoing a rehabilitation program utilizing hunting activities supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs or an authorized nonprofit organization.
Other State Benefits
Special MacArthur Service Medal
The Special MacArthur Service Medal is issued members of the 200th/51th Coast Artillery Units who were residents of New Mexico at their original time of entry into the U.S. Military and served under General Douglas MacArthur in the Philippine Islands during World War II. The medal is also available to surviving family members of the 200th/515th units.
Service Member Child Custody Protection
Child custody arrangements cannot be modified while a parent is deployed for military service. All child custody issues involving a deployed parent must wait to be resolved until the deployed parent returns to New Mexico.
New Mexico Personnel Office Veterans Hiring Preference
All veterans honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces or anyone currently serving in the National Guard shall have five (5) points added to their final passing numerical scores on screening examinations performed by the State Personnel Office. Veterans honorably discharged with a service-connected disability will have ten (10) points added to their final passing numerical score.
Business Tax Credit for Hiring Recently Returned Veterans
Any business in the state of New Mexico can qualify for up to a $1,000 business tax credit for each hire of a recently-returned veteran. Please contact the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department for additional information at (505) 827-0700 or http://www.tax.newmexico.gov
Additional 5% Procurement Advantage for Veteran-Owned Businesses or Contractors
The state of New Mexico shall set aside an additional 5% hiring preference for
veteran-owned businesses or contractors over the existing 5% preference currently established for locally-owned businesses during the bidding process for state contracts and jobs.
Military Discharge Papers Protection
Military discharge papers filed with County Clerks in the State of New Mexico shall be available only to the veteran who filed them, the veteran’s next of kin, or a person holding the veteran’s general power of attorney.
To contact your county clerk, please click here.