Los Alamos Reporter

Legislature: Bipartisan Tax Bill Passes First Committee Unanimously

HOUSE DEMOCRATS NEWS

Bill cleans up New Mexico’s tax code, bringing fairness to taxpayers

On Monday morning, a bipartisan tax bill aimed at cleaning up New Mexico’s tax code passed the House Taxation and Revenue Committee unanimously.

Sponsored by Rep. Javier Martínez (D – Albuquerque) and Rep. Jason Harper (R – Rio Rancho), the bipartisan House Bill 98 cleans up several sections of the tax code, ensuring that NM’s tax laws stay up-to-date. This multifaceted bill amends New Mexico’s tax code by:

  • Providing numerous technical cleanups to make the tax code easier to follow.
  • Ensuring that senior, disabled, and immuno-compromised New Mexicans who have to purchase groceries online because of the pandemic are not penalized with a tax on those groceries.
  • Clarifying the health care provider tax deduction and ensuring that providers can continue to make use of this incentive, which in turn increases access to health care for all New Mexicans.

“By updating our state’s tax code, we can make New Mexico a friendlier place to do business while supporting those hardworking New Mexicans who are looking for some fairness,” said Rep. Martinez. “This bipartisan bill is proof that there is widespread agreement that our state’s tax code can, and must, do better to provide for and uplift the people of New Mexico.” 

“The critical tax changes this bill creates have been sorely needed for quite some time,” said Rep. Harper. “Our tax code should be a reflection of the needs of taxpayers – whether they are individuals or businesses. I am proud of the bipartisanship behind this successful and comprehensive bill, and believe that updating our tax code should be a recurring effort each year.”

Having passed the House Taxation and Revenue Committee unanimously, House Bill 98 will be heard next on the House floor.

Members of the public can track legislation on the New Mexico Legislature website, access committee meetings and House floor sessions via the Webcasts tab, or participate by Zoom to provide public comment on committee hearings. During the 2021 Legislative Session, the House of Representatives is focused on passing critical legislation while protecting the health and safety of the public, the staff, and the legislators.