In any proceeding pursuant to the provisions of the Tax Administration Act, the department shall be estopped from obtaining or withholding the relief requested if it is shown by the party adverse to the department that the party's action or inaction complained of was in accordance with any regulation effective during the time the asserted liability for tax arose or in accordance with any ruling addressed to the party personally and in writing by the secretary, unless the ruling had been rendered invalid or had been superseded by regulation or by another ruling similarly addressed at the time the asserted liability for tax arose.

History: 1953 Comp., § 72-13-73, enacted by Laws 1965, ch. 248, § 61; 1979, ch. 144, § 54; 1993, ch. 30, § 10.

The 1993 amendment, effective June 18, 1993, substituted "department" for "director or the division" and for "director" near the beginning; substituted "secretary" for "director" near the end; and made minor stylistic changes.

State was not estopped from applying extended limitation period to taxpayer, since taxpayer had not acted reasonably in relying on taxation and revenue department's oral representations that department would not change its policy regarding taxation of cigarette sales on Indian reservations. Taxation & Revenue Dep't v. Bien Mur Indian Mkt. Ctr., Inc., 1989-NMSC-015, 108 N.M. 228, 770 P.2d 873.

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 72 Am. Jur. 2d State and Local Taxation § 712.

Estoppel of state or local government in tax matters, 21 A.L.R.4th 573.