COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County property owners should receive a notice of valuation (NOV) sometime next week in their mailboxes from the County Assessor’s Office.

Officially dropped in the mail today, NOVs reflect the current ownership, legal description, applicable exemptions, and the valuation placed on the property. Upon receipt, property owners are encouraged to read and verify that all information is correct. 

The Los Alamos County Assessor’s office is on a one-year valuation cycle. Property assessments for the 2023 tax year are determined at 2022 market levels as established by law. The taxable status date is fixed as of Jan. 1 of the current year. 

For property owners who believe the assessed value is in error, County Assessor George Chandler recommends that individuals contact his office at 505.663.8030. He says that often his staff can resolve matters quickly over the phone or in person. 

To contest a NOV, Chandler says a protest petition must be filed with his office within 30 days of the notice being mailed. The form and instructions are available on the Assessor’s file a protest webpage or by calling his office.

Property owners may also be eligible for a tax exemption. The deadline to claim an exemption is 30 days from the date the NOV was mailed.

Types of exemptions with eligibility requirements listed on the back of the NOV and include:  

• Head of household (family) exemption;
• Veteran’s exemption;
• 100 percent disabled veteran’s exemption; and
• Low income and sixty-five years of age or older or disabled, with a modified gross income limit of $40,400 or less.

Chandler indicates a greener option exists for those who prefer to reduce their paper footprint. Register at eNotices Online (https://enoticesonline.com) to receive future valuation notices electronically. Individuals will be prompted to provide the authorization code printed on the most recent NOV. Once registered, all future NOVs will be sent electronically to the designated email address.

Chandler reminds property owners that his team is available to answer questions 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit the office at 1000 Central Ave., Suite 210, or contact them by phone or email at (505).662.8030 or assessor@lacnm.us. Additional information, forms and practical tools are available on the NOVs and Exemptions webpage under the Los Alamos Assessor.