How Do I Get a Wildlife Valuation
A question that commonly asked is, “How do Texas landowners get their property to qualify for the wildlife tax exemption?” The easiest (yet still complex) answer is to refer them to the Texas Property Tax Guidelines for Qualification of Agricultural Land in Wildlife Management Use to read the extensive explanation of requirements needed to obtain wildlife management property tax exemption.
However, after a little reading, most people become lost in all of the associated legal and tax verbiage. The intent of this article is to cut through some of the complicated wording to help those with an interest get a quicker start.
The amount of land managed for wildlife in Texas has increased exponentially in the past 25 years and is increasing in other states across the country as well. For many farms and ranches in Texas, it’s a wildlife enterprise that allows the family to remain in agriculture. Prior to 1995, wildlife management was not considered an agricultural use of property. However, in 1995, Texas voters approved Proposition 11, allowing land with specific management practices for wildlife to be considered agricultural use.
This amendment is outlined in the Texas Constitution, Section 1-d-1 or open space agricultural appraisal, Article VIII. The requirements for the 1-d-1 or open space agricultural appraisal can be found in the Texas Tax Code, Chapter 23, Subchapter D or on the Window on State Government Web site.
For a Texas landowner interested in obtaining a wildlife property tax exemption, the property must currently be approved for an agricultural property tax exemption. Then the landowner must complete Form 1-d-1, submit a formal wildlife management plan outlining the wildlife management options they will implement, and submit the paperwork to the county appraisal district in the county where their property is located.
Interest in Wildlife management has skyrocketed in the past 25 years. On many Texas ranches, income from wildlife operations have allowed the owners to remain in agriculture. Before to 1995, wildlife management was not considered an agricultural use of property. But that all changed in 1995, when Texas voters approved Proposition 11, allowing land with specific management practices for wildlife to be considered agricultural use.
This amendment is outlined in the Texas Constitution, Section 1-d-1 or open space agricultural appraisal, Article VIII. The requirements for the 1-d-1 or open space agricultural appraisal can be found in the Texas Tax Code. Having 1-d-1 status is necessary to obtain a wildlife valuation.