You can claim it yourself, for free

Checklist: New Mexico, money left over after a tax-deed sale

Who holds it: New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, Property Tax Division (it runs the delinquent-tax auctions)

How long: 2 years from the sale date. After that, unclaimed money goes to the state's Unclaimed Property Unit, where you can still claim it

How you claim: After the auction, the department mails a notice to former owners. Send the department a completed application for refund with proof that you owned the property. A former owner is the assessed owner on the delinquency list, or anyone whose ownership interest the department found in the county clerk's records before the auction.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Watch for the department's mailed notice about excess funds from the sale
2. Send the Property Tax Division a completed application for refund plus proof of ownership
3. Answer any request for more information
4. If more than one person claims, get a court order naming who is entitled. The department will not pay before it has one
5. If 2 years have passed, claim through the state's Unclaimed Property program instead

Documents

• Completed application for refund
• Proof of ownership of the property
• Court order, if there are competing claimants or you are a lienholder

What it costs you

Not researched yet — ask the clerk

If someone offers to do it for you

• Fee limits: Not researched yet — ask the clerk.
• You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

• 3.6.7 NMAC (rule 3.6.7.80, excess proceeds), State Records Center: https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title03/03.006.0007.html
• NM TRD Delinquent Property Tax Auctions: https://www.tax.newmexico.gov/businesses/property-tax-overview/delinquent-property-tax-auctions/