An estimated 122,492 veterans live in New Mexico, making up 7.4% of the state's population or the 17th-highest of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
New Mexico Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
Up to $30,000 in retired pay or Survivor Benefit Plan payments is tax free.
Active-Duty Income Tax
Active-duty pay is tax free.
New Mexico Veteran Property Taxes
Veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may receive a total waiver on their home's property tax. Certain discharges may disqualify a veteran for this program.
A veteran otherwise entitled to the property tax exemption but without sufficient property to claim it may pay motor vehicle registration fees, on vehicles the veteran owns, at two-thirds the usual rate.
New Mexico Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
The Vietnam Veterans' Scholarship provides tuition and required books and fees at state schools and will also pay up to the highest cost of any state school toward education at a non-state school.
The Wartime Veterans' Scholarship provides tuition and required books and fees, up to the highest undergraduate in-state tuition at a state institution, for veterans who served in combat after August 1990. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Military Dependent Education
Children of veterans KIA or who died from service-connected causes receive full tuition at state schools and up to $300 per year for matriculation, fees, board, room, books and supplies at state colleges.
New Mexico Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
Honorably discharged veterans and state National Guard members receive 5 points added to their passing score on state hiring exams. Those with a service-connected disability receive 10 points.
Military Spouse Employment
No state benefits.
New Mexico Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
New Mexico's veterans home is in Truth or Consequences. Honorably discharged veterans and their spouses are eligible for admission. You don't have to be a New Mexico resident, but residents receive preference. There are fees.
Homeless Veterans
The federally funded Veterans Integration Centers help those who are homeless or experiencing a housing crisis by providing employment training, housing and other services.
Adapted Housing
No state benefits.
New Mexico Veteran Financial Assistance
No personal loan or grant programs.
New Mexico Veteran Legal Assistance
No state-funded legal services.
New Mexico Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Resident veterans with a 100% service-connected disability receive a free lifetime game-hunting and fishing license with special rules for deer.
Resident veterans with any disability rating receive a $10 combination game-hunting and fishing license.
Resident active-duty and reserve personnel and veterans receive 50% discounts on all licenses, permits and stamps.
Parks/Camping
Veterans with at least a 50% or higher service-connected disability may receive an annual free day-use pass and three free nights of camping for personal use only. They may also receive a free state monument and museum pass.
On Veterans Day, honorably discharged resident veterans and active-duty member -- along with their spouses and children -- receive free admission to any state park. Admission fees are also waived for campsites, the Museum of New Mexico, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and the New Mexico Museum of Space History.
New Mexico Veteran Transportation Benefits
Any veteran who suffered the loss, or complete loss of use of, one or more limbs due to their service in the military is exempt from new vehicle excise taxes.
Also see "Property Tax."
New Mexico Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
New Mexico's three state veterans cemeteries are in Angel Fire, Fort Stanton and Gallup. They are open to honorably discharged veterans and their spouses.
More Information
Visit the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services website for more information on any of these programs.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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