Qualified Forest Program
The Purpose of the Qualified Forest Program is to encourage private forestland owners to manage their land in an economically and environmentally viable and environmentally sustainable manner. Landowners receive an exemption from local school operating taxes and/or exemptions from the uncapping of the taxable value of the property in the event of a change in ownership.
To qualify, landowners must:
Prior to application, landowners should consider:
To qualify, landowners must:
- have 20 acres or more of productive forestland on their property
- have a management plan written by a Qualified Forester
- file the necessary application and corresponding paperwork with MDARD by September 1st to receive benefits for the following tax year
Prior to application, landowners should consider:
- speaking with their District Forester to learn more about the program and how to apply
- speaking with a Qualified Forester to develop and write a new management plan, or amending their old plan
For more information on this program, please visit MDARD's QFP website.