Learn how you can contribute to healthy forests in Ontario and get a property tax reduction when you follow an approved Managed Forest Plan for your property.The Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program encourages good forest management by giving a property tax reduction to eligible landowners who prepare and follow an approved Managed Forest Plan.
When your forested area is enrolled in the program, it is:
- classified as managed forest
- taxed at 25% of the municipal residential property tax rate
The regular tax rate still applies to any other part of the property that is not managed forest, such as your house.
You must hire a Managed Forest Plan Approver to prepare or approve a Managed Forest Plan for the forest on your property. This plan describes how you will manage your forest responsibly over a 10 year period.
To enroll in the program, your Managed Forest Plan Approver submits your plan to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).
You need to follow your Managed Forest Plan and submit a progress report in the fifth year of your plan.
After 10 years, you can renew your participation in the program with a new approved Managed Forest Plan.
What land is eligible
To be eligible, land must:
- be owned by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or a Canadian business, trust or conservation authority
- have at least 4 hectares (9.88 acres) of forest on a single property in Ontario on one municipal roll number
- have a minimum number of trees per hectare (read the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program Guide for details)
Residences, landscaped areas and land used for residential or other purposes are not eligible.
