Reduce your property taxes: Managed Forest Tax Incentive workshop in Sharbot Lake

Mar 29, 2012

Owners of woodlots who wish to save money on their property taxes can take advantage of the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) workshop. Landowners who apply and qualify for the program have the eligible portion of their property classified and assessed as Managed Forest under the managed forests property class. The eligible land is taxed at 25 percent of the municipal tax rate set for residential properties.

On Saturday, April 14 in Sharbot Lake, the Limestone Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association and the Frontenac Stewardship Council are holding a workshop on this program. Local forest technician Dave Smallwood, highly experienced with the MFTIP and forest management planning, will walk you through the entire process.

The Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) is available to landowners who own four hectares (excluding residences) or more of forest land. Participating landowners have their property reassessed and classified as Managed Forest, and taxed at a rate similar to farmland.

The landowner has a management plan prepared and submitted to a certified approver. When followed, the plan enhances owner participation in managing the forest, and in turn, encourages the stewardship of Ontario's private forests.

In one case, 94 acres of mixed hardwood, young spruce plantings and abandoned farmland was registered under MFTIP and the cost of preparing the plan was recovered in the first year. Tax savings in the following years have been used to carry out the management plan.

The event fee is $10, payable at the door. In the morning indoor session, participants will learn all about MFTIP and how to prepare a woodlot plan. In the afternoon session, everyone will travel to a hardwood woodlot for practical demonstrations of what was learned in the morning session. Bring your own bag lunch. Coffee and snacks will be provided in the morning.

Be sure to dress for all types of weather and be prepared for the afternoon with rain wear, boots, and warm clothing. Given our early spring, we may be greeted by black flies, so bug repellent may be advised.

The workshop is at the North Frontenac Telephone Company Business Office, Lower Level, at 1019 Windwood Drive in Sharbot Lake on Saturday, April 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more on the Ontario Woodlot Association, visit ont-woodlot-assoc.org. For more on the Frontenac Stewardship Council, visit www.ontariostewardship.org/councils/frontenac.

For more information, contact Dave Sexsmith, OWA at 613-373-9334 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact Cam McCauley, Frontenac Stewardship Coordinator at 613-531-5714, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..