MI SB0051

Qualified forest property is exempt from local school district operating taxes up to 1,200,000 acres statewide, with buildings and structures on the property ineligible for exemption.

Property owners must submit a forest management plan from a qualified forester, an application, and a $50 fee to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development by September 1 to claim exemption.

Conservation districts must review applications within 45 days to verify minimum requirements, and the department has 90 days to approve or deny based on forest management plan compliance.

Property owners must file a recorded qualified forest school tax affidavit with the register of deeds and provide copies to local tax authorities by December 31 to claim exemption for up to 640 acres per tax collecting unit.

A 2-mill fee is collected annually on exempt qualified forest property and deposited into the private forestland enhancement fund; owners failing to rescind exemption when property no longer qualifies face penalties up to $1,000.