|
If the burden of high property taxes is a concern, or if your
town has done a recent re-appraisal, Vermont's Use Value Appraisal program, or Current Use, may provide
some relief. The program provides a significant tax benefit for those interested in managing their forest and
farm land on a long term basis. If you own a minimum of twenty five acres of forest land, exclusive of two
acres for buildings and dwellings, and/or active agriculture land you may qualify. Contact us for more information on
the program. If you'd like to send an e-mail, click on the link below:
Current Use Assessment Values 2013 Tax Year - $265.00 per acre for agricultural land
- $119.00 per acre for productive & nonproductive forest land
- $89.00 per acre for productive & nonproductive forestland more than
1 mile from aclass 1, 2, or 3 road
Using the above, 2013 current use assessment rates, an owner
with 100 acres of enrolled forestland and a town tax rate of 2.6% would be assessed $11,900.00 for the
parcel and would owe $309.40 dollars in taxes for the year. This is a substantial savings. Contact us about
enrollment requirements.
|
 |
|
Current Use Basics Forest Land An application must be filed by September 1 for entry in the following tax year. - Forest land parcels must be at least 25 acres in size exclusive of two acres for
each residence, mobile home, or camp.
Other
mandatory exclusions include utility rights of way, land used for commercial mining or removal of gravel, and any forest land
where the landowner chooses not to harvest trees. Landowners may elect to exclude portions of a parcel from enrollment, provided 25 forest land acres are enrolled. Excluded land will continue to be taxed at fair market value. Forest land enrollment requires a forest management plan written
for a ten year period, a map made to orthophoto scale, and a schedule of Silvicultural (forestry) treatments for that
ten year period. Forest management
plans and maps are due October 1 of the year the application is filed. Forest management plan updates are due by April 1 every ten years.
|
|
|
Current Use Basics
Agricultural Land
-
Applications and maps must be completed by September 1
-
To qualify land must be owned by a farmer or leased to a farmer,
under a written lease, as part of their farming operation for a period of at least three years.
-
Qualifying land can also be enrolled if it has, and will continue to,
produce an annual gross income from the sale of farm crops in one of two or three of five, immediately preceding years of
at least $2,000.00 for parcels less than 25 acres and $75.00 per acre for each acre over 25 acres, with a total income not
to exceed $5,000.00.
-
Qualifying land is also at least 25 contiguous acres in active use in
one of the following: grow and annually harvest hay or crops; pasture at least 1 animal unit per three acres for a minimum
of 30 days per year; cultivate Christmas trees, bushes or vines to produce an annual crop of edible fruit or maple product.
-
In addition to standard farm crops, farm crops include: animal fiber,
cider, wine & cheese produced on the enrolled land or on a house site adjoining the enrolled land from agricultural products
grown on the enrolled land.
-
Farm buildings can be enrolled, and are tax exempt if they qualify.
Qualifying buildings must either be leased to a farmer as part of their farming operation, or used to house farm employees. See
Current Use Application for details. Or contact us at the link below: Timbercraft98@aol.com
|
|
|
click for: Current Use Application CU-301
Applications & Information
Locations
Current use applications
and additional information are available at the division of Property Valuation and Review, from
your county forester, or from most town offices. Forms are also available
on line at the link below:
For more information or an application you can
also contact us.
Current Use Application CU-301
|