Are there any laws that protect farmers from property taxes?

Question

Have there been any federal acts passed to make the burden of owning so much land easier on farmer in the form of property tax relief. If so where can I find the specifics of these laws or acts?

Answer 1

I am not aware of any federal acts, however in Wisconsin there are laws that state the property it to be taxed based on what it is used for not what it might be used for. This is advantageous to the farmers.

Answer 2

The federal government does not have jurisdiction over property taxes so the answer to your question is No.

States can pass laws to benefit farmers. In my state, California, farmland can be placed in a Williamson Act contract. In that case the owner has to keep the land in agricultural use for the length of the contract--from 10 to as much as 30 years. In exchange, the land is assessed at its value as farmland even it would otherwise be subject to reassessment for a higher use.

Answer 3

There are special estate tax rules that try to make it easier for heirs to keep the farm intact as it passes from one generation to another.

At the state level, if the land is used for agricultural purposes, the tax rates are kept artificially low. From my old office building, I could see land that handn't been built on yet and a number of cows grazing so the owner could keep the ag designation.

Answer 4

You could always contact either, or both, your congressional representative or your senator for specific information. Another possibility is your State's Attorney General. I have found that if you send them a written request providing them with as much detail as you can, they will respond.

Give it a try. What have you got to lose besides time, an envelope and a sheet of paper, plus postage.

Answer 5

property taxes will be a lot lower per acre or whatever on farm land than on a residential building lot