What are Farm and Forestland special assessments?
Some properties are eligible for reduced assessments through either farm use special assessment or forest special assessment. The guidelines for qualifying for farmland are influenced by zoning. Properties in an Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zone must be farmed with intent to make a profit. If these properties are employed in a farm activity, and there are annual sales of commodities, the properties may qualify for farm use special assessment. Properties zoned other than EFU can also qualify for farm assessment using the same guidelines, with two important differences. There are specific sales levels required and the operator must file an IRS Schedule F or Farm Schedule and said form must be supplied to the Assessor’s office on request. Non-zoned properties must prove that they have met the farm income level 3 of the past 5 years before they are eligible for farm use special assessment. Property in an EFU zone must have been farmed the prior year to be eligible for special assessment. Prope
Some properties are eligible for partially-deferred property taxes through either farm or forest special assessments. Program requirements differ and some are influenced by the zoning of your property. Here are the highlights of our most popular programs: “Zoned” Farm Deferral (for EFU, SA, FT and UT zoning) – The land must be used primarily to make a profit from farming. No application is necessary to put your property into the program, and there is no minimum annual income requirement. “Un-Zoned” Farm Deferral (for all other zoning) – The land must be used primarily to make a profit from farming. An application is necessary to put your property into the program. To qualify initially, the land must be currently used, and have been used, for the two previous years exclusively for farm use. In addition, the land must meet an income requirement in three of the five previous years. Once on the program, ongoing income reporting requirements apply. Designated Forestland – The land must be u
