New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 3 - TAXATION
Chapter 1 - TAX ADMINISTRATION
Part 9 - REFUND
Section 3.1.9.14 - INTEREST ON REFUNDS OF TAXES SELF-ASSESSED BY THE TAXPAYER

A. When an overpayment results from a self-assessment of taxes based on a return filed by the taxpayer, interest on a refund of that overpayment of taxes shall be computed from the date of filing of the claim for refund when the refund is not paid within the appropriate 60, 75 or 120 day limit specified in Subsection 7-1-68 D NMSA 1978 and when the overpayment results from a self-assessment of taxes based on a return filed by the taxpayer. The fact that a subsequent notice of assessment is issued by the department due to failure of the taxpayer to accompany the return with full payment does not change the date from which interest is computed.

B. The determinative factor in deciding whether an overpayment is an "overpayment arising from an assessment by the department" - requiring interest on a refund to be computed from the date of overpayment rather than the date of a claim for refund - is whether the action establishing the amount of liability for taxes was initiated by the taxpayer or by the department. Actions initiated by the taxpayer include, but are not limited to, the filing of a tax return reporting a tax liability, whether or not payment accompanies the return. Actions initiated by the department include, but are not limited to, an audit of the taxpayers books and records or the issuance of a provisional assessment as a result of a taxpayer's failure to file any return or returns.