Mary Alice Reporting –
The Ohio Farm Bureau recently held a discussion with a Director of State Policy regarding tax relief.
Some Ohioans may have heard about increases in their Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV), which is a program where farmland is taxed at a rate reflective of its value for agricultural purposes instead of development.
There are worries about how the CAUV increases will translate into their property tax bill, and ultimately the bottom line of their business.
Director of State Policy and Grassroots Engagement with Ohio Farm Bureau Whittney Bowers says there is currently a short-term option being discussed that can help provide immediate relief for Ohio farmers while lawmakers work for a more permanent solution to Ohio’s Tax system.
“When applied. This short term option will adjust the values of properties undergoing reappraisal by averaging a property’s value over three years, which is compared to being valued based on only one year’s value, which could make a significant difference for Ohio farms.”
According to Bowers, Ohio Farm Bureau has worked with the legislature over the past several months to find a possible solution.
“We had discussions this summer about the tax landscape in Ohio, and the General Assembly ultimately created a tax study committee tasked with looking for long term solutions that our organization’s leaders will continue to engage with on behalf of our producers. But there is still an identifiable need to help those in a current reappraisal year.”
This issue has prompted Ohio Farm Bureau to put out an Action Alert to its members, and by taking part, members could help provide lawmakers the information needed to secure support for a short-term solution to the sharp increases in Ohio’s property taxes. For more information go to www.FarmVotesMatter.org.
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