Rhode Island (Summary)
Last Updated: March 2020
Tax Type: Current Use or Exemption
Description: Enrolled forestland is assessed based on the land's potential to produce timber.
Law: Farm, Forest, and Open Space Act, Modified Assessment Law Gen. Laws Title 44 Sec. 5-12, 5-39 to -41, 27-1 to -6
Objective: To encourage the preservation of farm, forest, and open space land in order to maintain readily available source of food and farm products close to the metropolitan areas of the state, to conserve the state's natural resources, and to provide for the welfare and happiness of the inhabitants of the state.
Principal Forest Property Tax Incentive Program:
Program legal-common name: Farm, Forest and Open Space Property Tax Program
Program Requirements
Min/Max Acreage: at least 10 acres
Min. Stocking Growth: Dense growth of trees.
Forest Management Plan: Plan prepared by a qualified forester and approved by the Director of Environmental Management.
Duration of Enrollment: Annual confirmation to assessor that land is still in forest use.
Evidence of Use: Every five years, parcel re-inspected by the Department of Environmental Management (or at the request of Town Tax Assessor) to determine compliance with approved forest stewardship plan.
Penalties for Use Change: Land use change tax is in the amount of 10 percent of fair market value in the first six years, declining to 1 percent in the 15th year (no additional tax after year 15).
Program Administration
State: Department of Environmental Management administers the program. A Farm, Forest and Open Space Valuation subcommittee under the State Conservation Committee developed the methodology and values for assessment. The values are updated periodically by the subcommittee. The Department of Revenue annually publishes the information and makes it available to local assessors.
County Tax Assessor and Commissioner: County Tax Assessor classifies land and assigns assessed value.
University: N/A
Landowners: File a completed application form, signed by the tax assessor, along with a forest management plan, a map of the property, and landowner file card (supplied by DEM).
For a more in depth discussion of Rhode Island property taxes click here!