The Wildlife Exemption in Kimble County, Texas
Land appraisal in Texas generally involves determining the market value of land. However, this is not the case when landowners possess a wildlife exemption in Kimble County. In fact, the appraisal, or valuation, is different for all land used for farming, ranching, or other agricultural purposes. In Texas, active wildlife management practice is considered an agricultural practice.
When determining the taxable value for ag lands, the process typically uses the “productivity” method, which evaluates land based on its ability to generate income from agricultural activities such as crop production, livestock grazing, or timber harvesting. Factors like soil quality, water availability, and land use history are considered in the appraisal process.
Agricultural Land, Taxes, & Wildlife
Since Texas offers special agricultural exemptions, such as the Open Space Land Valuation, which allows land to be taxed based on its agricultural productivity rather than its market value, providing significant tax savings for qualifying landowners. Landowners that convert to a wildlife tax valuation or wildlife exemption in Kimble County will retain the prior tax valuation that was associated with the agricultural land that is being managed for wildlife.
With that in mind, only agricultural lands can switch to wildlife management us. This is straight form the Kimble County Appraisal District (CAD): “A wildlife exemption can only apply to land which qualifies and is already receiving 1-d-1 Open Space Agricultural Valuation. The Texas Property Tax Code, Section 23.51(7) defines wildlife use day actively using land in at least three of the following ways to breed and sustain migrating, wintering population of indigenous wild animals: habitat control, erosion control, predator control, providing supplemental supplies of water, providing supplemental supplies of food, providing shelter and making of census counts to determine population.”
Why a Wildlife Exemption in Kimble County?
What is the purpose of landowners having a wildlife exemption in Kimble County or any other Texas County? Well, the goal is to encourage the preservation of open space for wildlife management and conservation of the state’s natural heritage in all areas of the state. The codes and guidelines create definitive standards for Kimble County and other county tax appraisers to follow in determining the qualifications of property for appraisal on the basis of wildlife management use.
Wildlife management use helps meet these objectives:
• To create a mechanism in addition to traditional agricultural use to allow ranchers, farmers, and land managers to conserve open space.
• To affirm local control of property taxation.
• To preserve revenue neutrality for all concerned parties.
• To allow each property currently qualified in wildlife management use to continue appraisal as open space land.
Switch to a Wildlife Exemption?
Wildlife tax appraisal is important because it allows landowners in Texas to receive property tax reductions for managing their land in ways that support wildlife conservation. While qualifying for this appraisal, landowners can conserve wildlife habitat, support biodiversity, and promote sustainable land practices, while also benefiting from tax savings. This program encourages responsible land stewardship, helping to protect native wildlife species and ecosystems, and it provides an incentive for landowners to maintain open spaces that contribute to the overall health of the environment.
We specialize in helping Texas landowners such as yourself identify qualifying practices that work both you and your land. We then develop a wildlife management plan that meets or exceeds the requirements for wildlife appraisal region and Kimble CAD. Please contact us if you are interested in converting your agricultural land to a wildlife exemption in Kimble County. It’s a great way to help native plants and wildlife and maintain your land.