Los Alamos Reporter

County Assessor Mails Notices Of Valuation To Property Owners

COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

Los Alamos property owners should receive a valuation notice from the Los Alamos County Assessor’s Office sometime this week. Notices of Valuation (NOV) 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 2022 tax year are determined at 2021 market levels as established by law. The taxable status date is fixed as of January 1 of the current year. 

A property owner who believes the assessment is incorrect may file a petition of protest with the County Assessor within 30 days of the notice. “I recommend that the owner meet with my staff first and discuss why he or she believes the notice is in error,” explained County Assessor Ken Milder. “My staff can often clear up any confusion or resolve the matter.” 

However, Milder warns that waiting longer than 30 days will require the property owner to pay the billed taxes and then file for a refund in District Court at the owner’s expense. At this stage of the process, Milder says that his staff cannot assist property owners. 

Property owners may also be eligible for a tax exemption. According to Milder, the deadline to claim exemptions is April 29, 2022.  Types of exemptions and their eligibility requirements are listed on the back of the NOV and include:  

  • Head of Household (family) exemption,
  • Veterans’ exemption,
  • 100% Disabled Veterans exemption, and
  • Low income and sixty-five years of age or older or disabled, with a modified gross income limit of $37,300 or less.

For property owners who prefer to reduce their paper footprint and go green, Milder indicates that these individuals can receive future valuation notices electronically by registering at eNotices Online at https://enoticesonline.com. 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.  This option can be reversed if desired.

Milder reminds property owners that his staff is available to answer questions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the office located 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.