COUNTY News:
County Assessor George Chandler reminds Los Alamos property owners that Notices of Value (NOV) were mailed on April 1, 2026, for all property valued for property taxes, including residential, non-residential, business personal property, and livestock.
These notices list the current ownership, legal description, claimed exemptions, classification, and the valuation for each property. Details about these items are explained in the “Guide to Understanding Your Property Assessment” included with the NOV. The Assessor asks owners to review their NOV’s to ascertain that the information is correct and call or visit the Assessor’s Office if they have questions.
Of particular interest to many are the various exemptions available to certain classes of owners. These are not automatic. Exemptions must be claimed by each owner. The NOV lists those exemptions that have already been claimed.
Review the list on the Guide that accompanies the NOV to assess eligibility for one or more exemptions. Nearly every owner is eligible for the Head of Household exemption. Three exemptions are available to veterans, including partially or fully disabled veterans. A valuation freeze, which is like a partial exemption, is available to age 65 or older or disabled persons with a modified gross income of $44,200 or less. State law also places a 3% limit on increases in valuation due to inflation on all residential properties. This limit is automatic, owners need not apply for it.
To be allowed for this tax year, new claims for exemptions must be filed on or before 30 days after the mailing date of the NOV’s. This year the deadline is April 30.
If dissatisfied with any of the information on the NOV, or the allocation of values to a particular governmental unit, the Assessor’s Office is happy to explain or discuss this with the owner.
In addition, there are two formal avenues to protest:
- File a protest with the Assessor’s Office. The office will offer to negotiate a settlement with you, and most protests do settle at this stage. If not, a hearing will be set before a panel of two Los Alamos citizens and a chair appointed by the state; and
- Pay your tax bill and file a petition with the District Court asking for a refund.
For help understanding the valuation level or process, exemptions, protest procedures or any other property tax related issues, residents should contact the Assessor’s Office for assistance by calling 505.662.8030 or visiting in-person (1000 Central Avenue, Suite 210, Los Alamos) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. Visit the Assessor’s Office website for forms or links to other useful tools.