Upper Peninsula landowners with 20 or more acres of forest have until Tuesday, Sept. 1, to apply for a state program that can cut their property taxes.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is accepting applications for the Qualified Forest Program (QFP) through the Sept. 1 deadline. Landowners who enroll for the 2027 tax year can receive an exemption of up to 18 mills of local school operating taxes on their land's value, plus protection from the uncapping of their property's taxable value after a future ownership transfer, according to an MDARD press release issued May 28.
"MDARD supports sustainable forest management as a means of preserving our environment, sustaining our $26 billion forest products economy and improving quality of life throughout Michigan," MDARD Director Tim Boring said in the release. "The QFP incentivizes sustainable forestry by offering tax exemptions to private landowners who commit to responsibly managing their forests and conducting scheduled harvests."
Private landowners own more than 11 million acres of forestland statewide, according to MDARD's program website. Public access is not required.
Who qualifies
Parcels must be at least 20 acres. Parcels smaller than 40 acres need at least 80 percent of the land stocked with productive forest; parcels 40 acres or larger need at least 50 percent, according to the MDARD press release. Buildings and structures on enrolled land are allowed but are not eligible for the tax exemption. The property is generally classified as non-homestead, though structures on the land may retain homestead status.
What to submit
MDARD requires six items by Sept. 1:
- A QFP application form
- A QFP stand summary and harvest schedule
- A copy of the most recent deed or land contract
- A copy of the property's tax bills
- A forest management plan written by a qualified forester
- A $50 application fee
MDARD's website includes a tool to help landowners find a local qualified forester to write the required management plan. Enrolled landowners also pay an annual fee; MDARD did not specify the amount in its announcement.
The department describes the QFP as a way to encourage private landowners to manage forests in an economically viable and environmentally sustainable manner, according to MDARD's program website.
Applications and program details are available on MDARD's forestry page, or by phone at 517-284-5630 or email at [email protected].
