In The News

New Mexico to step up tax enforcement

On Feb. 16, New Mexico will begin a crack-down on trucking companies not paying all the weight-distance and trip taxes they owe.


The state’s taxation and revenue and public safety departments stepped up enforcement after two 72-hour enforcement blitzes at the Gallup and San Jon entry ports last year. That revealed hundreds of carriers were not paying these taxes that help maintain and build roads. The enforcement efforts resulted in more than $150,000 collected in delinquent taxes and 320 citations to be issued for safety violations.


Enhanced compliance and collection drive will include additional personnel at entry ports, electronic license plate readers, improved data collection and analysis, dedicated staff to work directly with truckers and new field auditors to assure compliance.

Weight-distance and trip taxes currently contribute $88 million to the state’s road fund. These upcoming collection efforts will generate at least $7 million more in annual taxes. The new compliance and collection program will cost $2 million for equipment and temporary personnel and $1 million annually once it is operational.


New Mexico’s taxation and revenue department is authorized to charge up to a $10 annual fee per truck to pay for enforcement, compliance and collection.