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3/10/2009
Enroll in the New Conservation Use Program Before Your County's Normal Filing Deadline
Tax assessors across Georgia are meeting with Department of Revenue (DoR) officials to discuss the implementation of Amendment 1, the Forest Land Protection Act of 2008. Landowners who own 200 acres or more of contiguous forested property are eligible to participate in the new program which will provide significant property tax relief in exchange for an agreement not to develop the property for 15 years. The new program does not do away with or change the existing conservation use program (CUVA) that has been in place for eighteen years.

On March 6, a representative group of Georgia forest landowners was invited to GFA headquarters to hear DoR report on the progress of the rulemaking process which will establish the ground rules that the agency and local taxing authorities will use to administer the program at the local level. Within a very short time we hope to be able to share with you a draft regulation for your review.

Landowners who are interested in the program, and who wish to reserve the right to take advantage of the new conservation use program in the 2009 tax year, should visit the local tax assessor and file the enrollment form prior to the county's normal enrollment deadline (April 1 in most counties). Even though final regulations and DoR's interpretations of portions of the statute are not yet available, you landowners should still complete the paperwork. If at a later date it is determined that the program is not favorable to your circumstances, DoR has advised GFA that there will be an opportunity to withdraw or modify the enrollment application. NOTE: One landowner reported to GFA that his assessor told him that he will have an opportunity to make changes up until the time the millage rate is set in his county. It expected that the timing will vary from county to county.
 

 



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