MAS Pageant is RESCHEDULED to Wednesday, September 25th out of respect for the upcoming services.

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SANTA FE, New Mexico – The State of New Mexico/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Horton Complex, 237 Service Road, Ruidoso, NM will change its weekday hours of operation beginning Monday, Sept. 23. The new hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday hours are unchanged, noon to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Residents of Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba and San Juan counties, as well as the Mescalero Apache Reservation can visit the center to apply for FEMA assistance, upload documents, learn about available resources and get their questions answered in person. Recovery specialists from the state, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and other organizations are available at the DRC to meet with visitors. No appointment is needed. Two Spanish language interpreters are also on hand to help residents impacted by the Southfork and Salt Fires and flooding.

You can also apply, update your contact information or upload documents in several ways:

• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov

• Download the FEMA app for smartphones.

• Call 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Lines are open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. MT, seven days a week. Help is available in most languages.  

The deadline to apply for assistance is October 19, 2024.

The deadline to apply to Small Business Administration (SBA) for property damage is Oct. 19, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is March 20, 2025. Applicants may apply at https://lending.sba.gov. Business owners also may apply in-person by visiting SBA Business Recovery Center at the Ruidoso Public Library.For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 7-1-1.

For the latest information on the New Mexico recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4795. Follow the FEMA Region 6 X account at X.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6.

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Updated on 7/12/2024:  This news release has been updated to include Rio Arriba and San Juan counties.

NM-2024-05, June 26, 2024

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today tax relief for individuals and businesses in southern New Mexico that were affected by the South Fork Fire, Salt Fire, and Flooding that began on June 17, 2024. These taxpayers now have until Nov.1, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

Following the disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), individuals and households that reside or have a business in Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba and San Juan counties, and on lands of the Mescalero Apache Tribe qualify for tax relief.

The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, certain deadlines falling on or after June 17, 2024, and before Nov. 1, 2024, are granted additional time to file through Nov. 1, 2024. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Nov. 1, 2024, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.

The Nov. 1 filing deadline applies to:

• Individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2023 return due to run out on Oct. 15, 2024. The IRS noted, however, that because tax payments related to these 2023 returns were due on April 15, 2024, those payments are not eligible for this relief.
• Businesses with an original or extended due date including, among others, calendar-year partnerships and S corporations whose 2023 extensions run out on Sept. 16, 2024, and calendar-year corporations whose 2023 extensions run out on Oct. 15, 2024.

The Nov. 1, 2024, deadline also applies to any payment normally due during this period, including the quarterly estimated tax payments due on June 17, 2024, and Sept. 16, 2024, and the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on July 31, 2024, and Oct. 31, 2024. In addition, penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after June 17, 2024, and before July 2, 2024, will be abated as long as the tax deposits are made by July 2, 2024.

If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty.

The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies filing and payment relief. But affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area should call the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227 to request this tax relief. Disaster area tax preparers with clients located outside the disaster area can choose to use the bulk requests from practitioners for disaster relief option, described on IRS.gov.

Covered disaster area

The localities listed above constitutes a covered disaster area for purposes of Treas. Reg. §301.7508A-1(d)(2) and are entitled to the relief detailed below.

Affected taxpayers

Taxpayers considered to be affected taxpayers eligible for the postponement of time to file returns, pay taxes and perform other time-sensitive acts are those taxpayers listed in Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(d)(1), and include individuals who live, and businesses (including tax-exempt organizations) whose principal place of business is located, in the covered disaster area. Taxpayers not in the covered disaster area, but whose records necessary to meet a deadline listed in Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(c) are in the covered disaster area, are also entitled to relief. In addition, all relief workers affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization assisting in the relief activities in the covered disaster area and any individual visiting the covered disaster area who was killed or injured as a result of the disaster are entitled to relief.

Under section 7508A, the IRS gives affected taxpayers until Nov. 1, 2024, to file most tax returns (including individual, corporate, and estate and trust income tax returns; partnership returns, S corporation returns, and trust returns; estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax returns; annual information returns of tax-exempt organizations; and employment and certain excise tax returns), that have either an original or extended due date occurring on or after June 17, 2024, and before Nov. 1, 2024, are granted additional time to file through Nov. 1, 2024.

Affected taxpayers that have an estimated income tax payment originally due on or after June 17, 2024, are postponed through Nov. 1, 2024, will not be subject to penalties for failure to pay estimated tax installments as long as such payments are paid on or before Nov. 1, 2024.

The IRS also gives affected taxpayers until Nov. 1, 2024, to perform other time-sensitive actions described in Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(c)(1) and Rev. Proc. 2018-58, 2018-50 IRB 990 (December 10, 2018), that are due to be performed on or after June 17, 2024, and before Nov. 1, 2024, are granted additional time to file through Nov. 1, 2024.

This relief also includes the filing of Form 5500 series returns that were required to be filed on or after June 17, 2024, and before Nov. 1, 2024, are postponed through Nov. 1, 2024, in the manner described in section 8 of Rev. Proc. 2018-58. The relief described in section 17 of Rev. Proc. 2018-58, pertaining to like-kind exchanges of property, also applies to certain taxpayers who are not otherwise affected taxpayers and may include acts required to be performed before or after the period above.

Unless an act is specifically listed in Rev. Proc. 2018-58, the postponement of time to file and pay does not apply to information returns in the W-2, 1094, 1095, 1097, 1098 or 1099 series; to Forms 1042-S, 3921, 3922 or 8027; or to employment and excise tax deposits. However, penalties on deposits due on or after June 17, 2024, and before July 2, 2024, will be abated as long as the tax deposits were made by July 2, 2024.

Casualty losses

Affected taxpayers in a federally declared disaster area have the option of claiming disaster-related casualty losses on their federal income tax return for either the year in which the event occurred, or the prior year. In this instance, the 2024 return normally filed next year), or the return for the prior year (the 2023 return filed this year). Taxpayers have extra time – up to six months after the due date of the taxpayer’s federal income tax return for the disaster year (without regard to any extension of time to file) – to make the election. See Publication 547 for details. Individuals may deduct personal property losses that are not covered by insurance or other reimbursements. For details, see Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts PDF and its instructions PDF. Affected taxpayers claiming the disaster loss on their return should put FEMA disaster declaration number, 4795-DR on any return. See Publication 547 for details.

Other relief

The IRS will waive the usual fees and requests for copies of previously filed tax returns for affected taxpayers. Taxpayers should put the assigned FEMA declaration number (4795-DR), in bold letters at the top of Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return PDF, or Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return PDF, as appropriate, and submit it to the IRS.

Qualified disaster relief payments are generally excluded from gross income. This means that affected taxpayers can exclude from their gross income amounts received from a government agency for reasonable and necessary personal, family, living or funeral expenses, as well as for the repair or rehabilitation of their home, or for the repair or replacement of its contents. See Publication 525 for details.

Additional relief may be available to affected taxpayers who participate in a retirement plan or individual retirement arrangement (IRA). For example, a taxpayer may be eligible to take a special disaster distribution that would not be subject to the additional 10% early distribution tax and allows the taxpayer to spread the income over three years. Taxpayers may also be eligible to make a hardship withdrawal. Each plan or IRA has specific rules and guidance for their participants to follow.

The IRS may provide additional disaster relief in the future.

Affected taxpayers who are contacted by the IRS on a collection or examination matter should explain how the disaster impacts them so that the IRS can provide appropriate consideration to their case. Taxpayers may download forms and publications from the official IRS website, IRS.gov.

Reminder about tax return preparation options

• Eligible individuals or families can get free help preparing their tax return at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites. To find the closest free tax help site, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887. Note that normally, VITA sites cannot help claim disaster losses.
• To find an AARP Tax-Aide site, use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 888-227-7669.
• Any individual or family whose adjusted gross income (AGI) was $79,000 or less in 2023 can use IRS Free File’s guided tax software at no cost. There are products in English and Spanish.
• Another Free File option is Free File Fillable Forms. These are electronic federal tax forms, equivalent to a paper 1040 and are designed for taxpayers who are comfortable filling out IRS tax forms. Anyone, regardless of income, can use this option.
• MilTax, a Department of Defense program, offers free return preparation software and electronic filing for federal tax returns and up to three state income tax returns. It’s available for all military members and some veterans, with no income limit.

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SANTA FE, New Mexico – It has been 90 days since President Biden declared a major disaster for the state of New Mexico following the South Fork and Salt Fires and flooding June 17 through Aug. 20, 2024. To date, more than $22 million in federal assistance has been approved for New Mexican families affected by the disaster.

FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) have approved grants, loans and insurance settlements for recovering homeowners, renters and businesses in Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba and San Juan counties and the Mescalero Apache Reservation. This assistance helps pay for eligible losses and disaster-related damage repair and replacement of homes and personal property, temporary housing, cleaning and sanitizing, moving and storage, childcare, medical and dental expenses and other needs of New Mexicans affected by the fires and flooding.

“We are working closely with our federal, state and local stakeholders to help those that need assistance to recover from fires and flooding,” said Federal Coordinating Officer James McPherson.

1. As of Sept. 19, FEMA Individual Assistance totaled more than $6.68 million in grants to eligible homeowners and renters, including:
2. More than $3.99 million in housing grants to help pay for home repair, home replacement and rental assistance for temporary housing.  
3. More than $2.69 million grants to help pay for personal property replacement and other serious disaster-related needs, such as moving and storage fees, transportation, childcare, and medical and dental expenses. 
4. The first household licensed in for Direct Housing took place on Sept. 9, with seven households currently occupying a temporary travel trailer, 14 more households are in the process of being housed.

The deadline to apply to FEMA for federal disaster assistance is Oct. 19, 2024.

• Public Assistance  

FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program for the South Fork and Salt Fires and flooding reimburses the state, counties, local governments, tribes, and certain private nonprofits (including houses of worship) for eligible costs of disaster-related debris removal and emergency protective measures. PA is available, on a cost -sharing basis, in all five designated areas: Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba and San Juan counties and the Mescalero Apache Reservation. 

• Under the direction of the state, private contractors have removed 146,000 cubic yards of debris from impacted areas. This is the equivalent of 14,000 dump trucks lined up end-to-end, stretching 38 miles – the distance between Ruidoso and Tularosa, NM.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, to date, has settled claims for homeowners and businesses totaling more than $1.74 million.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $13.62 million in long-term, low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations. Of that amount, more than $11.5 million was approved for homeowners and renters; the rest is approved for businesses.

1. Applicants may apply at https://lending.sba.gov. Business owners also may apply in-person by visiting SBA Business Recovery Center at the Ruidoso Public Library. The deadline to apply to SBA for property damage is Oct. 19, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is March 20, 2025.
   1. How to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance 

The first step for individuals and households to receive assistance is to apply to FEMA for federal assistance. There are no costs involved to apply for or receive FEMA assistance. There are four ways to apply: 

• Go online to disasterassistance.gov/  
• Download the FEMA App for mobile devices at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products  
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. MT. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. 
• Visit the Disaster Recovery Center operated by the state of New Mexico and FEMA at the Horton Complex, 237 Service Road, Ruidoso, NM. Hours are., Monday through Friday. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, visit youtube.com/watch= WZGpWI2RCNw. 

The deadline to apply to FEMA federal disaster assistance is Oct. 19, 2024.  

For more information about FEMA’s Individual Assistance program, visit  www.fema.gov/assistance/individual.   

For the latest information on New Mexico’s recovery visit fema.gov/disaster/4795. Follow the FEMA Region 6 X account at X.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6. 

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Seeking Vendors and Floats

For more information about vendors or floats, please contact: Christopher Rupp, Kawanis Club of Tularosa Board Member, 575-430-1002, email: rupp_christopher@yahoo.com

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Head Start will be closed Monday, September 23rd (TODAY) & Tuesday, September 24th. Resuming regular hours on Wednesday, September 25th. Thank you.

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Open To All Tribal Members

UPDATE: In addition to state agency resource/information booths, the Office of Tribal Liaison will distribute information on it’s programs and will have the following items available for distribution:

• Medication Lock boxes
• Portable cribs (limited supply)
• COVID test kits
• Face masks
• Baby body wash/shampoo
• Toothpaste
• Reusable water bottles

Dinner will be served at IMG for this event on September 20th!

The Town Hall will be with the Governor and anyone can attend to ask questions.
Tribal Members can get access to resources, enroll in programs provided by the State, and speak one-on-one with agency representatives!

Cabinet In Your Community is held in Ruidoso the following day also; September 21st!

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ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, September 17, 2024 – Smokey Bear, the iconic symbol of wildfire prevention, took center stage as a Grand Marshall of the New Mexico State Fair Parade on Saturday, September 7, 2024, accompanied by Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford, his wife, Traci, and Lincoln National Forest employee Erica Enjady. The appearance of the famous bear not only celebrated his 80th birthday, but paid homage to his New Mexico roots, where he was found as a cub in 1950 on the Lincoln National Forest near Capitan.

This group appearance also served as a reminder of the resilience of the communities recovering from the devastating South Fork and Salt Fires, and the continued partnerships that will help these communities move forward.

Enjady, who served on the Lincoln as the Public Services Staff Officer this summer, said that the parade was an opportunity to highlight Smokey’s decades of wildfire prevention messaging, and how the little bear that was born in New Mexico so many years ago continues to reach millions of fans.

“Even after 80 years, Smokey Bear continues to help us spread the word and educate the public on wildfire,” Enjady said. “He helps us have important conversations about the natural role fire can have in keeping diverse and healthy ecosystems. We are grateful to the New Mexico State Fair for the opportunity to help share Smokey’s message and highlight our ongoing commitment to communities surrounding the Lincoln.”

In June, the communities of Ruidoso, Mescalero, and Alto received national attention when they were affected by two wildfires, which resulted in the loss of two lives. Burning more than 17,000 acres, the wildfires also destroyed more than 1,000 structures on private property. The effects of those incidents continued as record-breaking flash floods resulting from the fires further affected communities in Ruidoso and Mescalero.

A massive interagency effort, from local resources such as the Smokey Bear Hotshots and volunteer fire departments, to the New Mexico National Guard and emergency response teams from throughout the country, were able to eventually confine and have both fires. Currently, recovery partnerships continue as families remain displaced from both wildfires and flash floods. Local economies, which rely heavily on tourism, are slowly moving forward as well.

Mayor Crawford emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and long-term solutions to mitigate future wildfire risks in the area. “We continue to work closely with our community and government partners as we move forward,” he said. “We’re focused on protecting our communities and forests through proper land management and public education.”

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