N.M. Stat. Ann. § 7-36-24
History: 1953 Comp., § 72-29-13, enacted by Laws 1973, ch. 258, § 25; 1975, ch. 165, § 5.
Cross references. — For gross value of potash for severance tax, see 7-26-4 NMSA 1978.
For mines and mining, see Chapter 69 NMSA 1978.
Constitutionality. — This section does not violate N.M. Const., art. VIII, § 1 by using production of previous year as base value of mineral property to calculate present year's taxes, nor does it create an irrebutable presumption of value in violation of federal due process clause. Nat'l Potash Co. v. Property Tax Div., 1984-NMCA-055, 101 N.M. 404, 683 P.2d 521.
Fair market value is theoretically what a willing seller would take and a willing buyer offer. Kaiser Steel Corp. v. Property Appraisal Dep't, 1971-NMCA-131, 83 N.M. 251, 490 P.2d 968, cert. denied, 83 N.M. 258, 490 P.2d 975.
Market price as exchange value. — As to the price between a fictional seller and buyer, the market price of a commodity is the exchange value and it is determined by the demand for it in relation to the supply, and is proved, when possible, by actual sales. Kaiser Steel Corp. v. Property Appraisal Dep't, 1971-NMCA-131, 83 N.M. 251, 490 P.2d 968, cert. denied, 83 N.M. 258, 490 P.2d 975.
Essential factors in determining market value are the existence of a demand and the accessibility of a market. Kaiser Steel Corp. v. Prop. Appraisal Dep't, 1971-NMCA-131, 83 N.M. 251, 490 P.2d 968, cert. denied, 83 N.M. 258, 490 P.2d 975.
Valuation of potash fines when no commercial market. — Although without commercial market, potash "fines" were to be valued for tax purposes and market value was exchange value of "fines" between corporation which produced "fines" and subsequent processor of fines. International Minerals & Chem. Corp. v. Property Appraisal Dep't, 1971-NMCA-170, 83 N.M. 402, 492 P.2d 1265, cert. denied, 83 N.M. 395, 492 P.2d 1258.
Burden of proof was on contestant and was both the burden of producing evidence and the burden of persuasion which was, in this case, where the validity of the state's valuation is in issue, not the burden of showing the correct valuation but to show the state's valuation was erroneous. However, an asserted failure in contestant's burden of persuasion does not require that the court uphold the state's valuation when that valuation is not supported by substantial evidence. Kaiser Steel Corp. v. Property Appraisal Dep't, 1971-NMCA-131, 83 N.M. 251, 490 P.2d 968, cert. denied, 83 N.M. 258, 490 P.2d 975.
Finding not supported by evidence inference. — Since the market value of the mine run coal was based on evidence of sales of 4% and 9% of production at $8.50 per ton, this evidence did not support an inference that 96% and 91% of production had a market value of $8.50 per ton absent evidence of a market at that price and, therefore, the finding utilizing a market value of $8.50 per ton for all mine run coal was not supported by substantial evidence. Kaiser Steel Corp. v. Property Appraisal Dep't, 1971-NMCA-131, 83 N.M. 251, 490 P.2d 968, cert. denied, 83 N.M. 258, 490 P.2d 975.