RURAL HEALTH CARE TAX CREDIT ELIGIBILITY

HB 52 expands New Mexico's existing rural health care practitioner tax credit to include additional health care providers working in underserved rural areas. The bill adds professions like pharmacists, nurse practitioners, clinical social workers, physical therapists, and emergency medical technicians to the list of eligible practitioners who can claim the credit. Eligible providers must work at least 1,584 hours annually in a designated rural health underserved area, with credit amounts set at $5,000 for physicians/dentists or $3,000 for the newly included professions (half that amount for 792-1,583 hours). The credit, which can be carried forward if it exceeds tax liability, requires providers to apply through the Department of Health for certification before claiming it on their tax return.