Michigan Timber Tax Information

Are you interested in managing your forestland for timber production? Would you like to reduce your yearly property taxes by as much as 50% by implementing proper forest management? If your goals and objectives are for long term management of timber resources, than recent legislation pertaining to forest management, and taxes will be of interest to you.

Application for Qualified Forest Property Tax Program  download here

Summary of Requirements:

• Enrolled property will not pay 18+/- local school millage

• No public access required

• Must have a DNR Forest Management Plan in place

• 20 to 320 acres per tax collecting unit

• 80% productive forest

• Forest must be growing at a rate of 20 cubic feet per acre per year

• Stocked with forest products

• No buildings or structures

• Penalties for withdrawal = current SEV x mills x 7 if one or more timber harvests have taken    place or current SEV x mills x 14 mills if no timber harvests have taken place.                     

If you have specific tax questions relating to the qualified forest property tax exemption please contact:

Harold Anderson, Manager

Assessment Review Unit
Assessment and Certification Division
Michigan Department of Treasury
517-373-3327
andersonh@michigan.gov

Shirley Businski
Commercial Forest Program Leader
Forest, Mineral & Fire Management
Department of Natural Resources
517-373-1277
businsks@michigan.gov

Below find additional links to information about the Qualified Forest Property Tax Program.

Forestry Fact Sheet 32

      Taxation and Forest Land By Bill Cook

Michigan DNR Website