Property Reassessment

September 25, 2008

Rural property owners can get tax break

Reassessment chief said qualified owners should seek Clean and Green designation.

CAMILLE FIOTI Times Leader Correspondent

NANTICOKE – Nearly 100 people packed the conference center at Luzerne County Community College Wednesday to learn about the county’s Clean and Green program, which gives tax relief to qualified rural property owners.

The informational meeting was sponsored by the county’s assessment office.

Tim Barr, chief technology officer of 21st Century Appraisals, explained the guidelines of Clean and Green, also known as the Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest Land Assessment Act 319, which was enacted in the 1970s. The program encourages property owners to retain their land as agricultural, open space or forest land.

The act requires the use of the land to meet certain requirements to be eligible. The land must be a minimum of 10 contiguous acres, or if less must produce an anticipated annual gross income from agricultural products of at least $2,000. The land must be designated for agricultural use, agricultural reserve or forest reserve. Eligible land under the Clean and Green status receives a different tax assessment value than other landowners, Barr said.

Normally, the value of property for tax purposes is based on “fair market value.” However, land enrolled in Clean and Green will be valued on a “use value” basis, which most often results in a lower tax assessment value.

Barr said when a property owner applies for Clean and Green status, the application is recorded in the county Recorder of Deeds office, but he assured the audience that a lien is not placed on the property. He encouraged everyone to apply for the program, pointing out the tax savings.

“The tax savings under Clean and Green are significant,” he said.

The deadline to apply for the program is Oct. 15 and the cost is $50. The application becomes effective beginning Jan. 1, 2009. For more information on the program, contact the assessor’s office.

The Clean and Green program encourages property owners to retain their land as agricultural, open space or forest land.

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