An Agricultural Assessment or Ag Assessment is a plan to determine if a farm has the ability to gain tax exemption on land that is in agricultural production.

 

Submissions are due by March 1st of every year to your local town Assessor. The Agricultural Districts Law allows reduced property taxes for land in agricultural production by limiting the property tax assessment of such land to its prescribed agricultural assessment value.

 

The first step in the application procedure is to contact your county Soil & Water Conservation District office about a Soil Group Worksheet. Alternatively, if your property is located in Rensselaer County, download the Soil Group Worksheet Request form here and mail it to the address noted on the form with a check payable to RC SWCD.​ The cost to prepare a Soil Group Worksheet is $40 per Tax Parcel.  We must receive a completed form accompanied with a check before processing your request.  You may also prepay for this service by credit card.  

 

Soil Group Worksheet Requirements Include:

• Land must consist of seven or more acres and have been used for agricultural production in the last two years.

• Annual gross sales (AGS) of agricultural products must average $10,000 or more for the last two years. AGS means the actual proceeds from the sales of Agricultural (Ag) Products.

• A start-up operation may qualify if its AGS amount is $10,000 for 7+ acres or $50,000 for operations less than 7 acres.

• Rented land also qualifies for an Ag exemption as long as it meets the above qualifications.

• More information can be found at: https://www.tax.ny.gov/research/property/assess/valuation/ag_overview.htm 

• Below is an example of a Soil Group Worksheet and the accompanying Soils Map that you would receive from the District after payment is received.