This property tax savings program reduces the taxes on your land if you get a forest management plan and agree to sustainably harvest timber. QFP will also prevent the taxes from increasing if ownership changes. The parcel must also be at least 20 acres and should not be a primary residence. QFP is very popular with hunters as they are often already managing their woods for wildlife and timber. This program is great for family forest owners as it does not require public access, management is based on landowner goals, and it helps keep the land affordable. Please contact the Gladwin Conservation District if you feel that this program is the right fit for you.
Enrolling in the Qualified Forest Program
If you are interested in enrolling your property in the Qualified Forest Program, you will likely follow these steps:
1) Contact your local Conservation District Forester. Please note: Clare and Gladwin Counties do not currently have a forester, so contact the conservation district for assistance.
2) Contact the Qualified Foresters, and choose one to write a plan. (Please be advised that the Qualified Foresters are private-sector contractors who charge for plan writing. Be sure to ask your forester about cost-share programs!)
3) Using the completed plan, fill out the QFP application forms available at www.michigan.gov/qfp. Note that there are two forms to fill out: the application and the practice schedule. The practice schedule must include any timber harvesting mentioned in your plan.
4) Mail your forms, a copy of the management plan, supporting documents, and $50 to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) in Lansing. They have 90 days to respond to you, during which time they will review your management plan and tax documents, and ask your local Conservation District to go out to your property and verify that you have enough forest cover to qualify for the program. If you are approved, you will receive an affidavit.
5) Take the affidavit from MDARD to your local register of deeds, and record it. Signed copies should go to your local assessor and MDARD. The letter accompanying the affidavit will contain instructions on proper filing and notification, so be sure to read it carefully.
6) Follow your management plan! Make sure to keep MDARD informed of all management activities to prove that you are following the management schedule in the plan. (This is important, as failure to comply with the plan may result in loss of tax exemption and assessment of back taxes.)
1) Contact your local Conservation District Forester. Please note: Clare and Gladwin Counties do not currently have a forester, so contact the conservation district for assistance.
- the forester will conduct an initial site visit to (a) verify your property's eligibility for the program, and (b) write a summary of the property in order to find a Qualified Forester who can write a management plan for you
- about two weeks after you request a referral, you can expect to receive a list of Qualified Foresters who have expressed an interest in working with you
2) Contact the Qualified Foresters, and choose one to write a plan. (Please be advised that the Qualified Foresters are private-sector contractors who charge for plan writing. Be sure to ask your forester about cost-share programs!)
3) Using the completed plan, fill out the QFP application forms available at www.michigan.gov/qfp. Note that there are two forms to fill out: the application and the practice schedule. The practice schedule must include any timber harvesting mentioned in your plan.
4) Mail your forms, a copy of the management plan, supporting documents, and $50 to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) in Lansing. They have 90 days to respond to you, during which time they will review your management plan and tax documents, and ask your local Conservation District to go out to your property and verify that you have enough forest cover to qualify for the program. If you are approved, you will receive an affidavit.
5) Take the affidavit from MDARD to your local register of deeds, and record it. Signed copies should go to your local assessor and MDARD. The letter accompanying the affidavit will contain instructions on proper filing and notification, so be sure to read it carefully.
6) Follow your management plan! Make sure to keep MDARD informed of all management activities to prove that you are following the management schedule in the plan. (This is important, as failure to comply with the plan may result in loss of tax exemption and assessment of back taxes.)
***If at any point you have questions about the application process, please contact your Conservation District Forester for assistance.***