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Jackson
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# Posted: 9 Feb 2022 07:22pm - Edited by: Jackson
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Hello all.
I am interested in hearing from any users and their experiences of joining a program like CAUV or OFTL, primarily in Ohio as that is where I am, but any relevant info is appreciated with other states.
CAUV is "Current Agriculture Use Value" and OFTL is "Ohio Forest Tax Law"
I bought a 20+ ac. property in So. Ohio about 4 or 5 years back that was already in the CAUV and I pulled out from that as at the time I failed to recognize the tax benefits of the program. At this point I am unsure of how to get my property back enrolled in the system as it is primarily wooded land.
I have a strong desire to keep the land as is, but would like to keep it strong for the future as well. If I can do that and save on my taxes, it's win win IMO.
Also, if anyone knows of any other type of conservation programs with or without tax benefits I am all ears.
Also since this is a small cabin site, here is a pic of my shack.
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jsahara24
Member
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2022 08:58am
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Cool place!
I can't help you with Ohio specific information, but in PA I am in the clean/green program which discounts your taxes based on agricultural uses, which includes logging or standing timber value.
The state doesn't dictate what I can do on my property, or require any easements, etc. However if I develop the property in the future i am liable for all the "saved" tax revenue. I have no intention to develop the property, and there is an exemption that allows you to remove a small portion of the land without incurring the back tax responsibility.
Probably best to reach out to the state organization that runs the program and get their information packet, and do some reading.
Good Luck!
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2022 11:29am
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Talk to the county ag dept
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Tim_Ohio
Member
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2022 11:58am
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You will need to contact your county auditor. They are responsible for your taxes and will instruct you on how to apply for CAUV. It is not as flexible or easy as it used to be. They are criminal organizations, basically, that are trying to collect every dime they can and not reciprocate with services, such as road maintenance (one of the few obvious ones) and other supposed responsibilities of your county. Since you have far more then the 10 acres required, you should be able to get a timber CAUV application. They may audit you to see that you are maintaining the timber, ie. cutting vines off of trees, pruning and other activities.
I'm guessing your taxes are around 500.00 a year, if they are in line with mine. The savings is not that great, by the way, for the headache.
Tim
Pike County, Ohio
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Jackson
Member
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2022 04:32pm - Edited by: Jackson
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Thanks Tim.
I am pretty sure I am going to end up needing a Forestry management plan regardless of how I go. Depending on the headaches anyways...
Currently my taxes are $420 per year, but I am trying to get it adjusted since the Co auditor is assessing my neighbors cabin on my property. They seem to be having a hard time believing me that I in fact don't have another cabin on my land. I have invited them to come and help me look for it.
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Jackson
Member
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2022 04:35pm
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Quoting: jsahara24 Cool place! I can't help you with Ohio specific information, but in PA I am in the clean/green program which discounts your taxes based on agricultural uses, which includes logging or standing timber value. The state doesn't dictate what I can do on my property, or require any easements, etc. However if I develop the property in the future i am liable for all the "saved" tax revenue. I have no intention to develop the property, and there is an exemption that allows you to remove a small portion of the land without incurring the back tax responsibility. Probably best to reach out to the state organization that runs the program and get their information packet, and do some reading. Good Luck!
Thanks for the info. I know the CAUV program has a recoupment period, but the other program OTFL, has no such thing that I see.
I'll have to see what other programs Ohio has.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2022 05:08pm
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Rather than have them walking around my property (here they can anyway without notice!) Id go into their office, with my copy of my certified survey and a sat-view of same, and talk about that neighbor's cabin.
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Jackson
Member
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2022 05:36pm
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Quoting: Paulie Just my opinion......FWIW, don`t get involved in any government programs, whether its at the local, state or federal. You don`t want the government involved in anything you do on YOUR property. They will find a way to control what you do on YOUR property... Of course I`m anti government!
Understood.
My land is mine. I'm just seeing if anything out there could work in my favor.
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Jackson
Member
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2022 05:41pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 Rather than have them walking around my property (here they can anyway without notice!) Id go into their office, with my copy of my certified survey and a sat-view of same, and talk about that neighbor's cabin.
Co. Auditor emailed me those pics last night! My assessment lists 2 buildings on my property, clearly you can see there is only one.
It's crazy how hard it is to get through to these people sometimes. I imagine they are going to search my property on foot, my trail cams should show it. Anything that gets this resolved ASAP I am all for at this point. I'm just concerned I will be on their radar for awhile though.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2022 08:27am
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I am under the timber tax, I did have to draw up a forest management plan. I just hired a forester and she sent me a copy to sign and send into assessor. I have 40 acres, the back 20 acres cost me 32 dollars a year, front 20 acres basically the same except they did remove one acre for my cabin site.
I have to renew it every 10 years. A harvest is no longer a requirement, they say old growth is also beneficial and I am also providing wildlife habitat.
There is other classifications, ie open pasture land (but it better have stock on it, you can rent or give out free pasture land for grazing) or it can have produce growing, ie veggies, fruit trees, alfalfa, christmas tree farm or plant seedlings and a tree farm like mine is etc.
I'm allowed to remove 10% for building, but I have joined lots, I can go 4 acres, but once i do that, I can sell off the back one. So limited to 2 acres on each 20 now.
If I take it out to develop, I have to pay 10 years back taxes. Not going to happen, will remain wooded as long as I own it.
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Jackson
Member
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# Posted: 17 Mar 2022 09:35pm
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech I am under the timber tax, I did have to draw up a forest management plan. I just hired a forester and she sent me a copy to sign and send into assessor. I have 40 acres, the back 20 acres cost me 32 dollars a year, front 20 acres basically the same except they did remove one acre for my cabin site. I have to renew it every 10 years. A harvest is no longer a requirement, they say old growth is also beneficial and I am also providing wildlife habitat. There is other classifications, ie open pasture land (but it better have stock on it, you can rent or give out free pasture land for grazing) or it can have produce growing, ie veggies, fruit trees, alfalfa, christmas tree farm or plant seedlings and a tree farm like mine is etc. I'm allowed to remove 10% for building, but I have joined lots, I can go 4 acres, but once i do that, I can sell off the back one. So limited to 2 acres on each 20 now. If I take it out to develop, I have to pay 10 years back taxes. Not going to happen, will remain wooded as long as I own it.
This is very similar to the OTFL I was looking into. I still might do it one day as it appeals to me on a personal level, but I have put it on the back burner for now. In Ohio you don't have to actually have proceeds from selling timber, so you can just leave it as is. As for the forest management plan, I want to do one anyways as I think it would be interesting to have done and figure out the best course to care for my land.
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Jackson
Member
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# Posted: 17 Mar 2022 09:38pm - Edited by: Jackson
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So I ended up getting my Co. Auditor to go back over my property and adjust my taxes appropriately. I ended up miss reading the improvements to my land and was wrong, but the auditor found they had also miscalculated the size of my "cabin" by a lot. So ultimately my taxes got cut in half, from $420 to $204. So for now I will consider this good enough and keep the other tax saving plans for a rainy day.
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jsahara24
Member
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# Posted: 18 Mar 2022 08:29am
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Hard to get much lower than that!
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Jackson
Member
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# Posted: 18 Mar 2022 03:01pm
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Quoting: jsahara24 Hard to get much lower than that!
That's what I thought. Co. Auditor even credited my overpayments back from when I bought the land!
My Auditor gets an A from me. Now I hope to never need her again lol. 
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