A man with a beard and a pink bubble with the words let's talk.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
close

New Mexico R&D Tax Credits

State and Federal Credits Available
5%
Basic Credit on qualified expenditures
10%
Rural Rate doubles basic/ additional
5%
Payroll Bonus for $75K growth/ $1M QREs
Refundable
Small Biz excess additional credits

The Technology Jobs and Research and Development Tax Credit, governed by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department under NMSA §§ 7-9F-1 to 7-9F-13, incentivizes businesses to conduct qualified research at facilities within the state. This program provides a basic credit against gross receipts, compensating, and withholding taxes, plus an additional credit against income taxes for meeting payroll growth benchmarks, doubling rates for rural locations to promote innovation in technology, manufacturing, and other sectors.

Book a Consultation
5%
Basic Credit on qualified expenditures
10%
Rural Rate doubles basic/additional
5%
Payroll Bonus for $75K growth/$1M QREs
Refundable
Small Biz excess additional credits

Key Highlights

  • 5% basic credit on qualified New Mexico expenditures (10% in rural areas); caps at $5M QREs annually
  • Additional 5% credit tied to payroll increases (10% rural), applied against income tax
  • Refundable provisions for qualified small businesses (<50 employees, ≤$5M QREs) on excess additional credits only
  • Offsets gross receipts, compensating, and withholding taxes (basic, not exceeding combined liability); income taxes (additional)
  • Available to C corps, S corps, partnerships, and LLCs; requires pre-approval via Form RPD-41385
  • Applies only to research performed at qualified New Mexico facilities; uses state-specific qualified research definition

Who Qualifies

Credits are available to taxpayers conducting qualified research, defined under NMSA 7-9F-3(D) as experimental or laboratory activities to develop or improve a product, manufacturing process, or software, at a qualified facility in New Mexico. Eligibility hinges on entity type, location, and expenditure limits, with mandatory application and auditor review.

Eligible Entities
  • C Corporation May claim both the regular and basic research credit
  • S Corporation Limited entity-level use; can pass credits to shareholders
  • Partnerships / LLCs Credits pass through to owners via Schedule K-1
Qualified Research Expenses (QREs)
Category
Examples
Payroll
Wages for employees performing, supervising, or supporting qualified research at the facility
Supplies & Materials
Test materials, technical books, manuals, and consumables used in research processes
Contract Research
Qualified payments to NM-based consultants and contractors for services tied to the research
Equipment & Software
Machinery, equipment, and computer software/upgrades used directly in qualified research at the facility
Other
Allowable operating expenses tied directly to the qualified facility, excluding buildings and land improvements

How to Calculate the New Mexico R&D Tax Credit

New Mexico uses a straightforward percentage-based method on qualified expenditures, with doublings for rural locations and an additional layer for payroll growth. Calculations apply only to NM-sourced QREs up to $5M annually; no incremental base or fixed-base percentage is required. Pre-approval via Form RPD-41385 is mandatory before claiming on Form RPD-41386.

Regular Method
  • Determine total qualified New Mexico expenditures for the tax year (capped at $5M).
  • Identify if the qualified facility is in a rural area (per TRD: counties with 200,000 population excluding Bernalillo, Doña Ana, and Santa Fe counties, or TRD-designated economically distressed areas).
  • Calculate basic credit = 5% × qualified expenditures (or 10% if rural).
  • Apply against gross receipts, compensating, or withholding taxes due (cannot exceed the sum of those three taxes combined).
Example Calculation
Qualified Expenditures = $2,000,000 (non-rural facility)
Basic Credit = 5% × $2,000,000 = $100,000
If rural: 10% × $2,000,000 =$200,000
Additional Credit Method
  • Confirm payroll increase: Base payroll from prior year at the qualified facility; must grow by at least $75,000 per $1M of qualified expenditures claimed.
  • Calculate additional credit = 5% × qualified expenditures (or 10% if rural), but only for the portion meeting the payroll benchmark.
  • Compute excess QREs = current QREs - base amount.
  • Apply against personal or corporate income tax due (cannot exceed income tax liability; half for married filers).
Example Calculation
Qualified Expenditures = $2,000,000
Payroll Increase at Qualified Facility = $200,000 (meets $150K benchmark for $2M)
Additional Credit = 5% × $2,000,000 = $100,000 (non-rural)
Total Credit (Basic + Additional) = $200,000
If rural and payroll met: $400,000 total
Important:For qualified small businesses (50 employees, ≤$5M QREs), the additional credit offsets up to 50% of income tax liability, with excess refunded. Applications due within 1 year of expenditure year-end (e.g., Dec 31, 2025, for 2024). Your credit election is made annually on your return and generally may not be changed once filed without TRD approval. Gross receipts exclude local options; use NM-sourced data only.

New Mexico-Specific Rules

New Mexico's program emphasizes job creation and rural development through tiered incentives, pre-approvals, and small business refunds, distinct from federal rules.

Rural Bonus

Facilities in rural areas (counties with 200,000 population excluding Bernalillo, Doña Ana, and Santa Fe, or TRD-designated distressed areas) double rates to 10% basic + 10% additional, supporting innovators outside major urban centers.

Rural Bonus

Facilities in rural areas (counties with 200,000 population excluding Bernalillo, Doña Ana, and Santa Fe, or TRD-designated distressed areas) double rates to 10% basic + 10% additional, supporting innovators outside major urban centers.

Payroll Benchmarks

Additional 5% (10% rural) requires $75K payroll growth per $1M QREs over prior-year base at the qualified facility; ties credits to employment impacts.

Other important rules
  • Pre-Approval Certification: All claims require Form RPD-41385 submission and TRD auditor review; attachments include expense summaries and project descriptions.
  • Audit Guidelines: 4-year record retention; TRD conducts post-approval audits, focusing on payroll verification and in-state work
  • Pass-Through Treatment: Entities allocate via Form RPD-41387; unitary groups report combined but claim separately.
  • Expenditure Cap: $5M annual limit per taxpayer.

New Mexico R&D Tax Credits Case Study

$231,000
total state R&D tax credits earned
50%
of wages qualified for credits
$588,000
total R&D tax credits earned (federal + state combined)
Frequent Asked Questions

What is the New Mexico R&D tax credit?

mness-logo
line-logo

The Technology Jobs and R&D Tax Credit is 5% of qualified research expenses (10% in rural areas) for small businesses, offsetting gross receipts and withholding taxes. Contact Strike Tax to maximize your savings.

What activities qualify for New Mexico’s R&D tax credit?

mness-logo
line-logo

Activities must meet federal IRC § 41 criteria and be conducted in New Mexico, including research to improve products or processes. Strike Tax can identify qualifying projects.

How much can my business save with New Mexico’s R&D tax credit?

mness-logo
line-logo

For $2M in QREs with payroll growth (non-rural), you could save $200,000 state credits, plus federal. Rural firms double to $400,000. Use Strike Tax’s R&D Credit Calculator for personalized estimates.

Are New Mexico R&D tax credits refundable for small businesses?

mness-logo
line-logo

Yes, qualified small businesses (<50 employees, ≤$5M QREs) get refunds on excess additional credits after 50% income tax offset. Basic credits are nonrefundable and carry forward 3 years. Strike Tax maximizes refund eligibility.

How do I apply for New Mexico’s R&D tax credit?

mness-logo
line-logo

Submit Form RPD-41385 for pre-approval within 1 year of expenditure year-end, then claim via RPD-41386. Pass-throughs use RPD-41387. Strike Tax handles documentation and filing for compliance.

Can New Mexico businesses claim both state and federal R&D credits?

mness-logo
line-logo

Yes, stack state and federal credits on the same NM QREs for amplified savings. Strike Tax optimizes dual claims, including federal payroll offsets for startups.

What qualifies as a rural area for New Mexico’s doubled R&D rates?

mness-logo
line-logo

Rural areas include counties with <200,000 population (excluding Bernalillo, Doña Ana, and Santa Fe) or TRD-designated economically distressed areas. Facilities must be located there for 10% rates. Strike Tax confirms eligibility.

Why is New Mexico’s R&D credit valuable for tech companies?

mness-logo
line-logo

Tech firms benefit from payroll-linked additions and rural doublings, with strong utilization in the sector. Three-year carryforward for basic credits provides ongoing value. Strike Tax tailors for NM tech.

How does the payroll increase work for New Mexico’s additional credit?

mness-logo
line-logo

Requires $75K growth over prior-year base per $1M QREs claimed, applied to payroll at the qualified facility. Verified via records; unlocks 5% extra (10% rural). Strike Tax calculates benchmarks accurately.

What are the 2025 changes to R&D tax credits in New Mexico?

mness-logo
line-logo

No major statutory changes; program stable post-2015. Monitor TRD for form updates or HB 2 expansions on job ties. Strike Tax tracks compliance shifts.

Next Steps

Estimate Credits
Estimate Credits

Use our calculator to estimate your potential federal and state benefits

Estimate your Credits
Speak to Expert
Speak to Expert

Schedule a consultation to structure your row crop research activities

Book a Consultation

New Mexico
R&D Tax Credits

Connect with us to find out how R&D tax credits can boost your organization’s bottom line.

go back
This post was last updated on Dec 03, 2025.

New Mexico R&D Tax Credit

Discover the benefits of New Mexico state credits and see how your business could qualify.

New Mexico provides an application for the Technology Jobs and Research and Development Tax Credit using form RPD-41385. Once the application is approved, the credits are claimed using for RPD-41386. Pass-through entities can also take advantage of these credits using Form RPD-41387.

A taxpayer conducting qualified research at a qualified facility and making qualified expenditures is eligible to claim the basic technology jobs and research and development tax credit. The taxpayer is also entitled to an additional credit if annual payroll expenses increase by $75,000 over base payroll for every $1,000,000 in qualified expenditures claimed by the taxpayer in a tax year in the same claim. See the instructions for important definitions and required attachments. To apply for the Technology Jobs and Research and Development Tax Credit, a taxpayer must have qualified expenditures made on or after January 1, 2015.

The credit is equal to 5% of qualified research expenses (or 10% in located in a rural area). The credit is equal to the sum amount of all gross receipts taxes, and 50% of withholding taxes paid on behalf of employees and owners who have no more than 5% ownership in the business. R&D Small Business Tax Credit Offsets 50% of tax liability for that year. To qualify, the business (taxpayers) cannot have employed more than 50 employees, and must not have qualified research expenses of more than $5 Million.

Learn more about New Mexico's R&D Tax Credit from the New Mexico Taxation & Revenue department.

R&D Tax Credit Available:

Yes

Eligible Entities:

C-Corporations, S-Corporations, LLCs, Partnerships

Deadline for Tax Filing:

Application is due within one year following the end of the calendar year in which the qualified expenditure was made.

Data Required to Compute Credit:

Claim Period New Mexico Qualified R&D Expenses (QREs)

What Information is needed?

Expense summary and description of qualified expenditures

Credit Carryforward:

3 Years

The R&D tax credit equals:

Basic Technology Jobs Tax Credit is 5% of Qualified New Mexico Expenditures (or 10% if in a rural area)

Additional Technology Jobs Tax Credit is 5% of Qualified New Mexico Expenditures (or 10% if in a rural area)

Specific Items to Note:

The Basic Tax Credit may be applied against the taxpayer’s compensating tax, gross receipts tax, or withholding tax due to the state of New Mexico. No taxpayer may claim an amount of approved basic credit for any reporting period that exceeds the sum of the taxpayer’s gross receipts tax, compensating tax, and withholding tax due for that reporting period.

The Additional Tax Credit may be applied against the taxpayer’s personal or corporate income tax. No taxpayer may claim an amount of additional credit for any reporting period that exceeds the amount of the taxpayer’s personal or corporate income tax due for that reporting period. A husband and wife may each claim only one-half the additional credit. A pass-through entity approved for additional credit may pass the additional credit to its owners, partners, or members using Form RPD-4136.

Qualified Expenditures means any expenditure or allocated portion of an expenditure connected to qualified research at a qualified facility. Such expenditures include the following:

  • Depletable land and rent paid or incurred for land  Improvements;
  • Allowable amounts paid or incurred to operate or maintain a facility;
  • Buildings;
  • Equipment;
  • Computer software & Computer software upgrades;
  • Consultants and contractors performing work in New Mexico;
  • Payroll;
  • Technical books and manuals; and
  • Test materials

The Qualified Expenditures must be within a Qualified Facility means a factory, mill, plant, refinery, warehouse, dairy, feedlot, building, or complex of buildings located in New Mexico at which qualified research is conducted. These include the land on which the facility is located and all machinery, equipment and other real and tangible personal property located at or within the facility and used in connection with the operation of the facility.

Qualified research and development small businesses may be entitled to a refund of all or a portion of approved additional technology jobs and research and development tax credit.  The small business must have fewer than 50 employees, total QREs.

Every application is reviewed by an auditor prior to approval.

%
%
%
carry forward for credit usage

New Mexico R&D Tax Credit Eligibility Summary:

Is the R&D Tax Credit Available?:
Yes
No
Eligible Entities:
Deadline for Tax Filing:
Data Required to Compute Credit:
What Information is needed?:

New Mexico R&D Tax Credit Guidelines:

New Mexico R&D Tax Credit Case Study

A New Mexico-based company recovered thousands in R&D tax credits to refuel growth.

$

Total state R&D tax credits earned

%

Amount of wages qualified for tax credits

$

Total R&D tax credit earned

Key New Mexico R&D Tax Credits R&D Tax Rules Changes

2019' - 22
22' and after
2019' - 22
22' and after

Resources

There are many other considerations and exemptions, including what documentation the IRS requires for the R&D tax credits. Stay updated to navigate the new tax laws with confidence.

Heading

Connect with us to find out how R&D Tax Credits can boost your organization’s performance.

Ready to Maximize Your State Credits?

With just a little info, our Strike Experts can help you start your R&D tax credit journey.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
go back

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.

What’s a Rich Text element?

What’s a Rich Text element?

The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

Static and dynamic content editing

Static and dynamic content editing

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

How to customize formatting for each rich text

How to customize formatting for each rich text

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

Ready to calculate your R&D tax credits?

To get an estimate of the potential value of your unclaimed R&D Tax Credits, try out our credit calculator.

A phone and a tablet displaying a tax calculator.
Download the app.

Download our R&D Tax Credit Calculator for Android to see how much you can receive from your qualified R&D tax credit expenses.

google-pay
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
A black background with a lightning symbol.
a screenshot of a tax calculatora screenshot of a tax calculator
Frequent Asked Questions

What is the New Mexico R&D tax credit?

mness-logo
line-logo

The Technology Jobs and R&D Tax Credit is 5% of qualified research expenses (10% in rural areas) for small businesses, offsetting gross receipts and withholding taxes. Contact Strike Tax to maximize your savings.

What activities qualify for New Mexico’s R&D tax credit?

mness-logo
line-logo

Activities must meet federal IRC § 41 criteria and be conducted in New Mexico, including research to improve products or processes. Strike Tax can identify qualifying projects.

How much can my business save with New Mexico’s R&D tax credit?

mness-logo
line-logo

For $2M in QREs with payroll growth (non-rural), you could save $200,000 state credits, plus federal. Rural firms double to $400,000. Use Strike Tax’s R&D Credit Calculator for personalized estimates.

Are New Mexico R&D tax credits refundable for small businesses?

mness-logo
line-logo

Yes, qualified small businesses (<50 employees, ≤$5M QREs) get refunds on excess additional credits after 50% income tax offset. Basic credits are nonrefundable and carry forward 3 years. Strike Tax maximizes refund eligibility.

How do I apply for New Mexico’s R&D tax credit?

mness-logo
line-logo

Submit Form RPD-41385 for pre-approval within 1 year of expenditure year-end, then claim via RPD-41386. Pass-throughs use RPD-41387. Strike Tax handles documentation and filing for compliance.

Can New Mexico businesses claim both state and federal R&D credits?

mness-logo
line-logo

Yes, stack state and federal credits on the same NM QREs for amplified savings. Strike Tax optimizes dual claims, including federal payroll offsets for startups.

What qualifies as a rural area for New Mexico’s doubled R&D rates?

mness-logo
line-logo

Rural areas include counties with <200,000 population (excluding Bernalillo, Doña Ana, and Santa Fe) or TRD-designated economically distressed areas. Facilities must be located there for 10% rates. Strike Tax confirms eligibility.

Why is New Mexico’s R&D credit valuable for tech companies?

mness-logo
line-logo

Tech firms benefit from payroll-linked additions and rural doublings, with strong utilization in the sector. Three-year carryforward for basic credits provides ongoing value. Strike Tax tailors for NM tech.

How does the payroll increase work for New Mexico’s additional credit?

mness-logo
line-logo

Requires $75K growth over prior-year base per $1M QREs claimed, applied to payroll at the qualified facility. Verified via records; unlocks 5% extra (10% rural). Strike Tax calculates benchmarks accurately.

What are the 2025 changes to R&D tax credits in New Mexico?

mness-logo
line-logo

No major statutory changes; program stable post-2015. Monitor TRD for form updates or HB 2 expansions on job ties. Strike Tax tracks compliance shifts.