Provincial and State Forestland Property Taxation Systems at Work

摘要

The Canadian province of Ontario and the state of Idaho in the United States share many characteristics that are similar. As the forest tax systems in these jurisdictions are explained by the authors, comparisons will allow the reader to determine similarities with the forest tax system in their own state or province. Traditional valuation methodologies include the Ad valorem, productivity, site value and flat property tax systems. In some jurisdictions there are more than one of these property taxsystems available for forestland owners to choose from. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Property tax systems should be fair, neutral, administratively simple, and stable. They should efficiently provide revenues to support services totaxpayers without creating undue hurdles for forest management and production. Taxpayers should easily understand a property tax system. The tax system should also provide a stable source of revenue for the support of schools, roads, local government,and in some instances hospitals. Many forest economists have presented their view of forest property taxation. This presentation will focus on the practical aspects of setting up and maintaining forest tax systems across the border affecting our one forest under two flags.