Missouri
For the complete text of Missouri statutes and other property tax information please refer to the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Property Classification:
For property tax purposes, property is divided into three classes: (Sec. 137.015, RSMo.)
(1) real property;
(2) tangible personal property; and
(3) intangible personal property
Real property is further subdivided into three classes: (Sec. 137.016, RSMo.)
(1) residential
(2) agricultural/horticultural
(3) utility, industrial, commercial, railroad, and all other
Forest Croplands: (Sec. 254.040)
Forest land, under certain circumstances, can obtain a special classification as "Forest Cropland" under the provisions of the State Forestry Law.
Forest croplands - means those lands devoted exclusively to growing wood and timber except for such other uses as shall be approved by the commission by regulations and which are tendered to the commission by any person and accepted and classified by the commission as such; and the commission shall prescribe the terms and conditions of such tender, acceptance and classification.
Application - Any person desiring to have lands designated as forest croplands must submit an application to the state forester. The tract of land must be greater than 20 acres and valued at no more than $125.00 per acre or a greater value as set by regulation of the commissioner.
Duration - Any privately owned lands approved and classified by the commission as forest croplands shall receive partial relief from taxation for a period of time not to exceed 25 years, after which the classification shall expire. After the expiration period the owner may submit an application to have the land reclassified.
Valuation and Assessment - Privately owned lands classified as "forest croplands" shall be assessed for general taxation purposes at $3.00 per acre, and taxed at the local rates of the county where the lands are located. Lands classified as forest cropland prior to August 14, 1974, shall be assessed for general taxation purposes at $1.00 per acre and taxed at the local rate of the county where the lands are located.
Grounds for Cancellation - Use of such lands for pastures, destruction of tree-growth and failure of owner to restore forest conditions, removal of tree-growth and use of land for other purposes, or any changed condition which in the opinion of the commission shall show that the requirements of this chapter are not being fulfilled, or the use of such lands for pasture in violation of any regulations promulgated by the commission shall be sufficient ground for the cancellation of such classification. Such lands shall thereafter be taxed as other lands.
When a classification shall have been canceled for cause, the owner of such lands shall make reimbursement to the commission in a manner as the director of revenue shall prescribe for the grant which was paid by the commission to the county in lieu of taxes on this land while so classified as forest cropland, plus a penalty equivalent to 10% interest thereon. Such reimbursement shall be in addition to any yield tax which may have been paid or may be collected.
Removal of Classified lands by Owner - In the event an owner of "forest croplands" wants to remove his land from classification, he may do so by making reimbursement to the commission in a manner as the director of revenue shall prescribe for the grant which was paid by the commission to the county in lieu of taxes on this land while so classified, plus a penalty equivalent to 5% interest thereon.
The transfer of the ownership of any such forest croplands shall not affect the classification as forest cropland.
Agricultural Use:
Forest land that does not meet the qualifications for classification as "forest cropland" is valued at its true value in money and is assessed at a rate of 12%. Local assessment rates may also apply.
Yield Tax:
Whenever a cutting is made on lands classified as forest cropland, in addition to the local tax, the material cut shall be subject to a yield tax on the value at the rate of 6%. (Sec. 254.170)
Stumpage valuation - Whenever a cutting is made the owner of the land shall file a sworn statement with the commission of the quantity and species of timber cut; this statement shall be filed not later than one month following said cutting or at the end of each month where the cutting is continuous. The commission shall review this statement and determine the stumpage value and forward its report to the director of revenue. The director of revenue or his agent shall arrange collection of the yield tax from the owner.
Firewood and timber cut for domestic use by either the owner or a tenant, with the permission of the owner, are exempt from the yield tax.