Landowners who have a minimum of four hectares of forested land on their property can reduce their taxes through the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program.
Ausable Bayfield Forestry Specialist Ian Jean said the default tax rate for forested land is 100 per cent of the rural residential rate. But if the landowners enroll in the Managed Forest Tax Incentive program, they're taxed at the same rate as the farm tax rate.
Jean said the plan involves having a forest inventory done and preparing a forest management plan by a qualified person. He added there are also additional benefits to having a forest management plan done.
Most of the time, a managed forest will increase in value whether it's being managed for timber, used for aesthetic reasons or for a wildlife habitat.
CORRECTION: corrected to reflect the minimum about of forested land needed is four hectares not acres
