Wildlife Tax Valuation Guide
Wildlife management is a popular and exciting option for Texas landowners, but it can be a stumbling point to assume that just because wildlife thrives in an area that the property will qualify for wildlife management as an agriculture practice. Property can only qualify for wildlife management as its agriculture practice if it is currently appraised for 1-d-1 agriculture. It is important to note that the law only allows landowners to convert to wildlife management. Land not currently appraised with an agriculture tax valuation is not eligible for the wildlife management tax option.
Landowner Guide to Wildlife Management Use
If the property is appraised for agriculture and has not been reduced in size since the previous tax year it may have its agriculture practice changed to wildlife management use at any time during the appraisal cycle. For properties that are being divided and sold in smaller tracts, it is strongly recommended that the landowner contact your county’s central appraisal district to see if this new smaller tract will meet the minimum size requirement for the county. Tracts of land below the minimum size risk having the agricultural appraisal removed and being subjected to the 5 year tax roll-back for changing the primary use of the property.
It’s important to know before filing whether the property technically qualifies for the wildlife tax valuation, then having a professional help guide you through the process as well as help with the development of the wildlife management plan for a property.