The Maine Legislature enacted the Tree Growth Tax Law in 1972 to help Maine landowners maintain their property as productive woodlands, and to broadly support Maine’s wood products industry. By choosing to develop a Woodland Management Plan  designed to realize the value of your timber (and meet other goals for your forest) through well-planned harvests over time, your property may be eligible for enrollment. You should be sure you understand all of the benefits and obligations of Maine's Tree Growth Tax Law, as well as the penalties for removing your land from the program.

View Property Tax Bulletin No. 19 - Maine Tree Growth Tax Law

To enroll your property in the Maine Tree Growth Tax Program, you must have at least ten acres of forest land managed primarily for the production of commercial forest products. You may benefit from a reduction in property taxes, making it more affordable for you to own and manage your woodland. The decision to enroll land in the Maine Tree Growth Tax Program is a long term one. The penalties for removing land from the program can be high, so consider all the aspects before enrolling.

By completing your Woodland Management Plan and working with your Consulting Forester, you'll go a long way toward determining whether Maine's Tree Growth Tax Law is right for you. To be sure you're up to date with current requirements of the Tree Growth Tax Law, call the Maine Forest Service. View current Tree Growth Tax Rates

Download the Tree Growth Tax Law Application and Schedule (Adobe version)

If you elect to enroll a parcel of land in the Tree Growth Tax Program, you need not designate all of the acres as productive forest. You may decide to manage some of your land (minimum of ten acres) for timber production, and some of your land for other purposes. Remember, land managed for timber harvesting can often provide many other benefits, including wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, recreation, and clean water, to name a few. Land within the parcel not managed primarily for commercial harvesting will be valued on the basis of just value. Your consulting forester can help you make those choices and document them in your Management Plan. The Maine Forest Service respects your choices and helps you put them into action.

For more information on Maine's Tree Growth Tax Program and other “current use” property tax programs, please contact the Bureau of Revenue Services or the Maine Forest Service. Tax Bulletin #20 explains the Farmland Program and Tax Bulletin #21 explains the Open Space Program. These two programs may be alternatives for those who do not wish to actively manage their land for commercial forest products.

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