As used in this article, the term: “Bona fide production of trees” means the good faith, real, actual, and genuine production of trees for commercial uses. “Contiguous”’ means real property within a county that abuts, joins, or touches and has the same undivided common ownership. If an applicant’s tract is divided by a county boundary, […]
In accordance with Article VII, Section I, Paragraph III(f.1) of the Constitution of Georgia, qualified timberland property shall be classified as a separate and distinct class of tangible property. The procedures prescribed by this article for appraisal and valuation of such property and for appeals of the assessed value of such property shall be exclusive. […]
Qualified timberland property shall be returned to the commissioner between January 1 and April 1 each year. The fair market value of qualified timberland property shall be determined through an annual appraisal conducted by the commissioner in accordance with the qualified timberland property appraisal manual provided for in Code Section 48-5-602. The commissioner shall have […]
The commissioner shall adopt by rule, subject to Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” and maintain a qualified timberland property appraisal manual that shall be used by the commissioner in the appraisal of qualified timberland property for ad valorem tax purposes. The commissioner shall provide for a period of consultation with […]
The commissioner shall certify as a qualified owner any individual or entity registered to do business in this state that is engaged in the bona fide production of trees for the primary purpose of producing timber for commercial uses, provided that such individual or entity: Registers with the commissioner; and Certifies to the commissioner that […]
Upon application by a qualified owner, the commissioner shall certify as qualified timberland property any timberland property that is titled to a qualified owner, provided that: The timberland property is at least 50 contiguous acres; The production of trees on the timberland property is being done for the purpose of making a profit and is […]
A taxpayer or county board of tax assessors may appeal the commissioner’s decisions related to: Such taxpayer’s status as a qualified owner; The certification or noncertification of such taxpayer’s timberland as qualified timberland property; or The appraised value of such taxpayer’s qualified timberland property. Such appeals shall be made as an appeal to the Georgia […]
A taxpayer, group of taxpayers, county board of tax assessors, or association representing taxpayers may appeal the commissioner’s decisions related to the commissioner’s complete parameters for the appraisal of qualified timberland property required by paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of Code Section 48-5-602. Such appeals shall be made as an appeal to the Georgia Tax […]
The commissioner shall be authorized to prescribe such forms and promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement this article. History. Code 1981, § 48-5-607 , enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 119, § 5/HB 85.
