DVS News:
The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (DVS) has resumed in-office veterans benefits outreach visits and veterans property tax exemption/waiver service days in communities throughout the state.
These outreaches had been halted due to a winter surge in the number of positive COVID-19 pandemic cases.
The positivity rate has dropped, and the state Department of Health has lifted its safety mask public health order for most public locations.
Below is a list of DVS veterans benefits outreaches scheduled to begin in March. Additional community outreaches throughout the year will be announced when plans have been finalized:
| Date | City/Venue | Address | Time |
| Mar. 4 | Rio Rancho/Loma Colorado Public Library | 755 Loma Colorado Bl. | 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. |
| Mar. 8 | Bernalillo/ Dell Webb at Alegria | 901 Cottonwood Circle | 9-11 a.m. |
| *for gated community residents only | |||
| Mar. 17* | Artesia/United Veterans Hall | 402 W. Hermosa | 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. |
| *by appointment only. (575).988.5900 | |||
| Mar. 21 | Los Lunas/Valencia County Sheriff’s Office | (for deputies/staff only) | 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. |
| Mar. 22 | Zuni/DY Springs Mountain | Parking Area | 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. |
| Mar. 25 | Los Alamos/Police Department | (for PD staff only) | 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. |
| Mar. 28 | Bernalillo/Bernalillo County Senior Ctr. | 801 Rotary Park Dr. | 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. |
| Mar. 31* | Artesia/United Veterans Hall | 402 W. Hermosa | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| *by appointment only. (575).988.5900 | |||
| Mar. 31 | Tijeras/Los Vecinos Community Center | 478 Hwy 333 | 10a.m. – 3 p.m. |
| Apr. 7* | Artesia/United Veterans Hall | 402 W. Hermosa | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| *by appointment only. (575).988.5900 | |||
| Apr. 7 | Capitan/Public Library | 101 East 2nd St. | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. |
Below are scheduled Veterans Property Tax Exemption/Waiver outreaches. DVS and county assessor staff will help veterans or unmarried widows of veterans file for the veterans property tax exemption—which is a $4,000 reduction off the taxable value of a primary residence. Veterans rated by the VA as 100% permanent-and-total, service-connected disabled can file for the veterans property tax waiver, which eliminates the entire property tax bill.
| Mar. 1 | Los Lunas/Valencia County Assessor’s Office | 444 Luna Ave. | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. |
| Mar. 10 | Aztec/San Juan County Assessor’s Office | 101 S. Oliver | 10 a.m.-730 p.m. |
| Mar. 16 | Los Alamos/County Assessor’s Office | 1000 Central Ave. | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. |
| Mar. 17 | Las Vegas/DVS Las Vegas Office | 917 Douglas Ave. | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. |
| Mar. 22 | Raton/Colfax County Assessor’s Office | 230 North 3rd St. | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. |
| Mar. 24 | Albuquerque/DVS NE Heights Office | 5201 Eagle Rock Blvd. | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. |
Proof veteran status and NM residency required
Proof of veteran status must be provided when filing for the veterans property tax exemption—and can be done by bringing either a copy of a veteran’s DD-214 separation form, a National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Form 56-16, or a U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Form 1867.
If filing for the property tax waiver, please bring a copy of the letter from VA declaring a 100% permanent-and-total, service-connected disability rating.
Proof of residency must also be provided, and can be done by bringing either a valid New Mexico driver’s license, voter registration card, or your latest state income tax return.
For questions, contact DVS Event Planner Joseph Dorn: josephM.dorn@state.nm.us or 505.861.9117.
As a reminder, veterans from anywhere in the state can also contact any DVS veterans service officer with in-person office assistance…or through remote assistance by phone or email. For a list of all DVS field offices, please go to:
