State laws / New Mexico
New Mexico tax sales: liens, deeds, rates & redemption
Quick answerNew Mexico sells tax deeds for unpaid property taxes. Redemption: No post-sale redemption. Property may not be sold until at least 3 years after it first appears on the delinquency list (§7-38-67); the owner may pay delinquent taxes, penalties, interest and costs at any time before the sale Sales: State-run public auctions scheduled throughout the year, county by county, as delinquent lists are prepared — the Property Tax Division must generally offer a sale at least annually in each county unless postponed by agreement Governing law: NMSA 1978, Property Tax Code §§7-38-65 to 7-38-70, esp. §7-38-67.
Where to bid: Mostly in-person only — auctions conducted by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, Property Tax Division, in the county where the property is located; no statewide online auction platform
| What is sold | Tax deeds |
|---|---|
| Interest / penalty | n/a — pure tax deed state; the state sells the property itself, not a lien, so there is no statutory interest or redemption premium for a buyer |
| Redemption period | No post-sale redemption. Property may not be sold until at least 3 years after it first appears on the delinquency list (§7-38-67); the owner may pay delinquent taxes, penalties, interest and costs at any time before the sale |
| When sales happen | State-run public auctions scheduled throughout the year, county by county, as delinquent lists are prepared — the Property Tax Division must generally offer a sale at least annually in each county unless postponed by agreement |
| Governing law | NMSA 1978, Property Tax Code §§7-38-65 to 7-38-70, esp. §7-38-67 |
| Investor notes | One of the few states where the state, not the county, conducts the sale. The deed conveys the former owner's interest as of the date the state's tax lien arose, the state warrants no title (quitclaim-equivalent), and a 120-day federal IRS redemption period can apply. |
Sources
- https://legalclarity.org/how-delinquent-property-tax-auctions-work-in-nm/
- https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-7/article-38/section-7-38-67/
- https://www.tax.newmexico.gov/businesses/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/10/AuctionAdvertisement-Mora-10.8.26.pdf
Law verified 2026-10-30 against the sources above. Confirm current details with the county tax collector / clerk before bidding — counties can change dates and procedures.