Ag exemption

[1930]

How can I understand better what an ag exemption is and how to utilize the full benefit potential of that exemption?

Im not wanting to call my local government office and receive their often watered down interpretation of the laws.

Id like to understand what Marion County specifically says in the ordinance concerning this exemption so that if I were to do something that the ordinance allows but am questioned on later I can have the documentation to show I was within guidelines.

I am not interested in pushing boundaries. Only in exercising my full rights.

Thanks

 

[AWSubie]

An ag exemption is actually an agricultural valuation by the county for tax purposes. Your county requirements can probably be found online.

Each state has its own laws. If your property is not already under an agricultural valuation then some states require that you perform agricultural practices for a period of time before they will grant an agricultural valuation.

Check online for your specific county requirements.

 

[EarPlug]

https://www.pa.marion.fl.us/Content/PDF/infoag.pdf
https://www.marioncountyfl.org/home/showdocument?id=16369
Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine

 

[TractorGuy]

Each county has it's own rules but they have to comply somewhat with state guidelines.

In our County you have to apply at a specific time of year then the county inspector comes out unannounced even though you asked them to call ahead and looks to see if you meet the criteria for whatever type ag use you claim. Then they meet at THEIR convenience to discuss among a few people to decide if they will allow the change. It took me a year from start to finish to get a 40 year old stand of planted pines rezoned as timberland.

This was a parcel that had ag rating in the beginning and when the county passed the state mandated comprehensive plan they screwed all the ag property owners out of their status and rezoned it as unimproved residential. In the counties defense it WAS 3 lots that got grandfathered in as exempt to the new lot size restrictions. The folks I bought it from just sucked it up and paid the extra taxes for 30 years until I bought it. He paid almost half what I paid for the property in extra taxes over the years. I filed for rezoning right after I bought it.

The comprehensive plan is so restrictive you can't cut anything over a 2" diameter tree on unimproved residential land. On top of that you can't cut grass or weeds within 12" for every inch in diameter. So a 3" tree has a 6' protected perimeter. To improve unimproved residential you have to get a permit to build. Then they only allow you to clear enough for the house and septic. After it has a house on it the tree cutting restriction increases to trees under 30" so if you want to clear further after you build you an get away with more.

After you get rezoned to timberland you can clear cut it but then you have to replant within 3 years. They reinspect every 3 years to make sure you are still eligible for the exemption.

Download the ag exemption application and study it and the state guidelines. I was prepared to appeal if they refused my application but they let mine go through.

 

[/pine]

How can I understand better what an ag exemption is and how to utilize the full benefit potential of that exemption?

Im not wanting to call my local government office and receive their often watered down interpretation of the laws.

Id like to understand what Marion County specifically says in the ordinance concerning this exemption so that if I were to do something that the ordinance allows but am questioned on later I can have the documentation to show I was within guidelines.

I am not interested in pushing boundaries. Only in exercising my full rights.

Thanks

It sounds to me like you're interested in finding a loophole to get out of paying rightful taxes...!

 

[Ortimber]

As others have said, each state and county has their own rules. Here in Oregon where I'm located, getting an ag exemption is pretty easy as long as you can show some intent to have some type of farm related income. Having land set aside for timber harvesting is in my opinion one of the better programs to enter into. Very few rules to follow, and if you harvest timber at least once, you meet the income requirements. My parents are on a farm exemption, so they sell some hay and a few cattle each year to meet the income requirements. As an example, I have 80 acres zoned as designated forest. My yearly tax liability is $2650 annually.

 

[WM75Guy]

I have never had an issue calling or dealing with any tax office. We have properties in 3 different counties and have to deal with multiple tax appraisal districts and tax collection offices. In fact they have always been helpful when I had questions or wanted to know the impact of a filing, including ag exemption. If and when you decide to file for your rightful exemption allowed by law, you are going to have to deal with the tax office anyway. Better to know up front what is necessary to meet the exemption requirements and what will be required to file for the exemption.

 

[3gunr]

It sounds to me like you're interested in finding a loophole to get out of paying rightful taxes...!

rightfull taxes? your joking right.

 

[1930]

https://www.pa.marion.fl.us/Content/PDF/infoag.pdf
https://www.marioncountyfl.org/home/showdocument?id=16369
Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine

Thank you very much

Each county has it's own rules but they have to comply somewhat with state guidelines.

In our County you have to apply at a specific time of year then the county inspector comes out unannounced even though you asked them to call ahead and looks to see if you meet the criteria for whatever type ag use you claim. Then they meet at THEIR convenience to discuss among a few people to decide if they will allow the change. It took me a year from start to finish to get a 40 year old stand of planted pines rezoned as timberland.

This was a parcel that had ag rating in the beginning and when the county passed the state mandated comprehensive plan they screwed all the ag property owners out of their status and rezoned it as unimproved residential. In the counties defense it WAS 3 lots that got grandfathered in as exempt to the new lot size restrictions. The folks I bought it from just sucked it up and paid the extra taxes for 30 years until I bought it. He paid almost half what I paid for the property in extra taxes over the years. I filed for rezoning right after I bought it.

The comprehensive plan is so restrictive you can't cut anything over a 2" diameter tree on unimproved residential land. On top of that you can't cut grass or weeds within 12" for every inch in diameter. So a 3" tree has a 6' protected perimeter. To improve unimproved residential you have to get a permit to build. Then they only allow you to clear enough for the house and septic. After it has a house on it the tree cutting restriction increases to trees under 30" so if you want to clear further after you build you an get away with more.

After you get rezoned to timberland you can clear cut it but then you have to replant within 3 years. They reinspect every 3 years to make sure you are still eligible for the exemption.

Download the ag exemption application and study it and the state guidelines. I was prepared to appeal if they refused my application but they let mine go through.

Interesting, Thanks

It sounds to me like you're interested in finding a loophole to get out of paying rightful taxes...!

Not even close but whatever anyone would like to believe is fine with me

As others have said, each state and county has their own rules. Here in Oregon where I'm located, getting an ag exemption is pretty easy as long as you can show some intent to have some type of farm related income. Having land set aside for timber harvesting is in my opinion one of the better programs to enter into. Very few rules to follow, and if you harvest timber at least once, you meet the income requirements. My parents are on a farm exemption, so they sell some hay and a few cattle each year to meet the income requirements. As an example, I have 80 acres zoned as designated forest. My yearly tax liability is $2650 annually.

Id like to comment to this but Im learning to keep my business private/offline. Thank you though and I agree with everything you have said

I have never had an issue calling or dealing with any tax office. We have properties in 3 different counties and have to deal with multiple tax appraisal districts and tax collection offices. In fact they have always been helpful when I had questions or wanted to know the impact of a filing, including ag exemption. If and when you decide to file for your rightful exemption allowed by law, you are going to have to deal with the tax office anyway. Better to know up front what is necessary to meet the exemption requirements and what will be required to file for the exemption.

I know a particular person at the county office that is my go to person, anyone else and I might get a ton of help or I might get a bad attitude.

I try not to wear out my welcome with any one person so Im re-searching what I can on my own. Post # 3 above was a huge help. Thanks

 

[Tx Jim]

Having been reared on ag exempt property then in 1990 inheriting ag exempt property that has been utilized exclusively for agriculture purposes I can understand 1930's desire for land tax exempt information on land utilized for agriculture use.