New Mexico § 7-1-69 - Civil penalty for failure to pay tax or file a return

Full text of New Mexico New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 7-1-69 — Civil penalty for failure to pay tax or file a return, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 7-1-69. Civil penalty for failure to pay tax or file a return

A. Except as provided in Subsection C of this section, in the case of failure due

to negligence or disregard of department rules and regulations, but without intent

to evade or defeat a tax, to pay when due the amount of tax required to be paid, to

pay in accordance with the provisions of Section 7-1-13.1 NMSA 1978 when required to do so or to file by the date required a return regardless of whether

a tax is due, there shall be added to the amount assessed a penalty in an amount equal

to the greater of: (1) two percent per month or any fraction of a month from the date the tax was due

multiplied by the amount of tax due but not paid, not to exceed twenty percent of

the tax due but not paid; (2) two percent per month or any fraction of a month from the date the return was

required to be filed multiplied by the tax liability established in the late return,

not to exceed twenty percent of the tax liability established in the late return;

or (3) a minimum of five dollars ($5.00), but the five-dollar ($5.00) minimum penalty

shall not apply to taxes levied under the Income Tax Act 1 , Corporate Income and Franchise Tax Act or taxes administered by the department pursuant

to Subsection B of Section 7-1-2 NMSA 1978 . B. No penalty shall be assessed against a taxpayer if the failure to pay an amount

of tax when due results from a mistake of law made in good faith and on reasonable

grounds. C. If a different penalty is specified in a compact or other interstate agreement

to which New Mexico is a party, the penalty provided in the compact or other interstate

agreement shall be applied to amounts due under the compact or other interstate agreement

at the rate and in the manner prescribed by the compact or other interstate agreement. D. In the case of failure, with willful intent to evade or defeat a tax, to pay when

due the amount of tax required to be paid, there shall be added to the amount fifty

percent of the tax or a minimum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), whichever is greater,

as penalty. E. If demand is made for payment of a tax, including penalty imposed pursuant to this

section, and if the tax is paid within ten days after the date of such demand, no

penalty shall be imposed for the period after the date of the demand with respect

to the amount paid. F. If a taxpayer makes electronic payment of a tax but the payment does not include

all of the information required by the department pursuant to the provisions of Section 7-1-13.1 NMSA 1978 and if the department does not receive the required information within five business

days from the later of the date a request by the department for that information is

received by the taxpayer or the due date, the taxpayer shall be subject to a penalty

of two percent per month or any fraction of a month from the fifth day following the

date the request is received. If a penalty is imposed under Subsection A of this section with respect to the same

transaction for the same period, no penalty shall be imposed under this subsection. G. No penalty shall be imposed on: (1) tax due in excess of tax paid in accordance with an approved estimated basis pursuant

to Section 7-1-10 NMSA 1978; (2) tax due as the result of a managed audit; or (3) tax that is deemed paid by crediting overpayments found in an audit or managed

audit of multiple periods pursuant to Section 7-1-29 NMSA 1978 . 1

NMSA 1978, § 7-2-1 et seq.

Source: official New Mexico text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About New Mexico § 7-1-69

What does New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 7-1-69 cover?

Section 7-1-69 ("Civil penalty for failure to pay tax or file a return") is part of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated, the codified statutory law of New Mexico. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite New Mexico § 7-1-69?

A common citation format is "New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 7-1-69" (New Mexico). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of New Mexico law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Mexico official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Mexico attorney.

How does New Mexico § 7-1-69 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Mexico can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Mexico.