WILDLIFE TAX VALUATION

The Texas Constitution and Tax Code provide that landowners can receive special tax valuations for certain kinds of farm and ranch land that are appraised based on the land’s capacity to produce agricultural products instead of at market value.  In almost every case, this appraisal technique substantially reduces taxes owed on ag and timber lands because of its productivity value.

In addition to ag and timber valuations, Texans are fortunate to have another valuation option to lower your property taxes:  a Wildlife valuation. If you own rural land in Texas and are already enrolled in ag or timber valuation yet you would prefer not to cut your timber regularly or use your land for agriculture, you can transition to specific management activities that encourage healthy wildlife populations, including songbirds.  For more details, please visit tpwd.texas.gov.

Contact your county’s appraisal district office to get more information on a wildlife valuation and to receive the form to make the switch.  And if you live in a state without a wildlife valuation, talk to your state’s game and fish agency about starting such a program.  Having more landowners doing things beneficial to wildlife habitat would be great for all sorts of species.  Do it for the owls!

Order your Owl Shack HERE.