Wildlife Exemption Deadline in Texas
A landowner can generally file the necessary application and wildlife management plan after January 1 of the year in which they apply. In Texas, the deadline to apply for a wildlife exemption (also known as the “1-d-1 Wildlife Management” exemption/appraisal) is April 30 each year. While January 1 – April 30 is the standard Texas wildlife exemption 1-d-1 application period, landowners can file even later in year, but we will discuss that further into this article.
An application for 1-d-1 appraisal on land is always filed with the county appraisal district in the county where the land is located. A 1-d-1 tax appraisal applies to a property that is managed for wildlife conservation and for other agricultural uses. However, it’s not really a tax exemption. A “wildlife exemption,” is really just land is appraised under wildlife management use, or wildlife tax valuation. While this is different that an actual property tax exemption, a wildlife appraisal is beneficial for landowners because it keeps their low agricultural taxes in place.
The application requires that the land meet certain wildlife management criteria, such as performing habitat management practices for native wildlife. If you do plan to file, we generally recommend that the application is submitted by the standard deadline, April 30, to ensure it’s considered for the upcoming tax year.
Texas Wildlife Exemption Deadline: Late Filing
In Texas, a landowner does have the option of filing a late application for a wildlife exemption, but there are specific rules. If a landowner misses the April 30 deadline, the owner can still apply for the special tax valuation, but the application will be subject to a penalty (fee) for late filing.
The penalty can vary depending on how late the application is filed. The late fee is generally tied to a percentage difference between tax accessed to the property with and without the agricultural tax valuation. In some cases, a landowner may be able to appeal the penalty with the local county appraisal district, but it’s best to try and meet the deadline to avoid complications.
A late application for agricultural appraisal in Texas can be filed before the appraisal review board approves the appraisal records for the year. This is often sometime in late June or July, but varies by appraisal district. A late application will typically incur a 10% penalty on the difference in taxes. If you are considering filing or need to file after the standard wildlife exemption deadline of April 30, contact the local county appraisal district for details on penalties and the process for submitting a late 1-d-1 application.
Apply for a Wildlife Management “Exemption”
At the time of application, landowners interested in switching to wildlife management appraisal must also submit a wildlife management plan. A wildlife management plan is a document that outlines the wildlife management practices a landowner will implement on their property. The plan is required for landowners who want to convert their property from agricultural to wildlife use.
We can assist you by creating a tailored wildlife management plan that focuses on conserving the health and balance of local plant and wildlife communities on your land. We take into account your interests as well as the features of the land itself to make recommendations that work for both. The wildlife management plans we develop include practical, cost-effective practices that meet or exceed the requirements for maintaining a wildlife exemption. And we can make sure you get everything in before the wildlife exemption deadline in Texas! Thanks for stopping by and please reach out to us if you are interested in a management plan that meets you and your lands needs.