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New Mexico benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official New Mexico source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services (NMDVS) can help you apply for them at no cost.
17 benefits from official sourcesLast verified
New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services (NMDVS)
How to read the labels:In effect confirmed on an official page. Not yet finalized announced or passed but not in force yet. Unverified — confirm with the agency we couldn't confirm it on an official page, so ask the agency.
Help from your state veterans office
NMDVS State Benefits Division and field offices
In effect
The NMDVS State Benefits Division runs state-funded veterans benefits, the state veterans cemeteries and the Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Field Services offices around the state help with federal VA claims.
“Up to $10,000 of the taxable value of property, including the community or joint property of husband and wife, subject to the tax is exempt”
Disabled veteran property tax exemption, proportional to VA rating (HB 285, 2026 Ch. 9)
In effect
Under amended NMSA 7-37-5.1, a disabled veteran's primary residence is exempt by a percentage equal to their VA disability rating, applied to the taxable value left after the standard veteran exemption. A 100% rating means a full exemption. Surviving spouses who were married to the veteran at death and keep living in the home also qualify. HB 285 (2026) clarified occupancy and multiple-owner rules and added protest procedures. It was signed February 25, 2026 with an emergency clause.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged (other than dishonorable or bad conduct) veteran with a permanent service-connected disability, living in the property as their principal residence.
Amount or details
Exemption = disability % × taxable value after the $10,000 veteran exemption.
How to apply
Get NMDVS certification (Form DVS1) and claim it with your county assessor (NMSA 7-38-17).
“is exempt from property taxation in an amount equal 6 to the percentage of the veteran's disability as determined 7 by federal law multiplied by the taxable value of the 8 property”
Armed forces retirement pay exemption (up to $30,000)
In effect
NM exempts up to $30,000 of armed forces retirement pay from personal income tax. The exemption also applies to an unremarried surviving spouse. HB 221 (2026), which would have made it 100%, died in committee.
Who qualifies
Recipients of armed forces retirement pay, and unremarried surviving spouses.
Veteran plates; free disabled veteran (50%+) and other plates
In effect
Armed Forces and Woman Veteran plates cost a one-time $17 ($9 for motorcycles). Disabled Veteran (50% or more), Purple Heart, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Ex-POW and Medal of Honor plates are free for qualified veterans. Gold Star Family plates are also available.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged veterans with proof of eligibility.
Amount or details
$17 one-time, or free for the listed categories.
How to apply
Apply at NM MVD with the Military Plate Application.
“The following license plates are available free of charge for any qualified veteran who can provide proof of eligibility: Disabled Veteran (50% or more) Purple Heart Pearl Harbor Survivor Ex-POW Medal of Honor”
Reduced registration fees and vehicle excise tax exemption
In effect
Veterans who qualify for the veteran exemption but don't have enough property to use all of it can pay vehicle registration at two-thirds the normal rate. Veterans who lost, or lost the use of, a leg or arm from service are exempt from the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax.
Who qualifies
See summary.
Amount or details
Two-thirds registration rate; full excise tax exemption.
How to apply
Apply with NMDVS certification (Form DVS1) at MVD.
MVD has offered a veteran designation since November 2012. It's free at first issuance or renewal; adding it at another time costs the regular credential fee.
Vietnam Veteran Scholarship and Wartime Veteran Scholarship Fund
In effect
The Vietnam Veteran Scholarship pays tuition at state-funded schools, plus books and fees, for Vietnam Campaign Medal recipients. The Wartime Veteran Scholarship covers tuition and fees (undergraduate through doctoral) for veterans with post-August 1, 1990 campaign medals, such as the Southwest Asia, GWOT Service, Iraq and Afghanistan medals.
Who qualifies
Honorable discharge. NM resident at entry, or 10+ years living in NM.
Amount or details
Tuition up to the highest state-institution tuition, plus books.
How to apply
Get NMDVS certification. Billing goes to NM Higher Education Department.
“This scholarship applies to tuition costs and required student fees directly associated with undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degree work.”
Children of Deceased Veterans scholarship; in-state tuition; WWII/Korea/Vietnam diplomas
In effect
Children (ages 16–26) of NM service members killed in action or who died from service go tuition-free at state institutions, plus up to $300 a year. Veterans, spouses and children get resident tuition right away. Veterans who left a NM high school to serve in WWII, Korea or Vietnam can get a diploma.
“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.”
State Personnel veterans hiring preference; 5% procurement preference
In effect
Honorably discharged veterans and current NM National Guard members get 5 points added to passing State Personnel Office screening scores. Service-connected disabled veterans get 10 points. Veteran-owned businesses get an extra 5% preference on state contracts.
Who qualifies
See summary.
Amount or details
5 or 10 points; 5% bid preference.
How to apply
Claim when applying through SPO; get certified for the procurement preference.
Rural Veterans Transportation, healthcare coordination and Veterans Business Outreach
In effect
NMDVS runs a Rural Veterans Transportation Program, a Healthcare Coordination Division and Veterans Business Outreach Centers. No state cash bonus or emergency grant was found on the State Benefits page.
Free lifetime small-game, fishing and deer license for 100% disabled veterans; $10 license for any DV rating
In effect
NM resident veterans rated 100% service-connected get a free lifetime Disabled Veteran Card, which works as a small-game and fishing license and includes a deer license applied for each year. Service-connected disabled veterans at any rating can buy a $10 small-game and fishing license. Non-resident disabled veterans in VA-supported hunting rehab programs pay resident big-game fees.
Who qualifies
See summary.
Amount or details
Free (100%) or $10 (any rating).
How to apply
Send the Lifetime Resident Disabled Veteran Card Application with your DD-214, VA award letter and proof of residency.
“may apply for a reduced fee $10.00 small-game & fishing license–no matter what percentage their disability”
Free lifetime state park day-use and camping pass for NM resident veterans; museum pass for 50%+ DV
In effect
NM resident veterans can get a free lifetime pass for unlimited day use and camping at all state parks. Veterans rated 50%+ get a free State Monuments and Museums Pass. On Veterans Day, veterans and their families get free park use and museum admission.
New Mexico State Veterans' Home, Truth or Consequences
In effect
The state's only state veterans home, run by NM Department of Health at 992 South Broadway, Truth or Consequences. Honorably discharged veterans with 90+ days of service and their spouses are eligible, as are Gold Star parents. NM residents get preference when there's a waiting list.
2026 session: HB 285 enacted (DV property tax); HB 221 (full military retirement exemption) died
In effect
HB 285 passed 67-0 and 40-0 and was signed February 25, 2026 as Chapter 9, effective immediately. HB 221, which would have fully exempted military retirement pay, died in committee.
We only publish what we could confirm on an official New Mexico source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services (NMDVS) about anything here.
The $30,000 armed forces retirement exemption is sourced from the 2026 HB 221 Fiscal Impact Report, not a TRD page. tax.newmexico.gov pages reviewed didn't mention it, and the statute (NMSA 7-2-5.13) wasn't reviewed from an official host.
No separate TRD property tax page for the veteran exemptions was reviewed. NMDVS and HB 285 were used.
NM Department of Wildlife (wildlife.state.nm.us) pages were not reviewed directly. The DV card application PDF hosted by NMDVS was used.
Disabled veteran parking privileges were not confirmed beyond the plate list.
State Personnel Office rules (spo.state.nm.us) were not quoted. The NMDVS summary was used.
This state page was last reviewed against official sources on November 1, 2026. Our watcher re-checks those pages automatically and flags any item whose quoted wording disappears.