Ontario Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP)
Certain forestlands in Ontario may be privately owned, but they benefit all Ontarians. The Ministry of Natural Resources’ (MNR) Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program recognizes the importance of these lands. The goal of the MFTIP program is to bring greater fairness to the property tax system by valuing forestland according to its current use. The program is designed to increase landowner awareness about forest stewardship.
Landowners who apply and qualify for the program have their property classified and assessed as managed forest under the Managed Forest property class. The land is taxed at 25 percent of the municipal tax rate set for residential properties.
MFTIP is a voluntary program and in order to be eligible, landowners must own at least 4 hectares (9.88 acres) of forested property, must prepare a Managed Forest Plan and have it approved by a certified Managed Forest Plan Approver, and activities on the property must be carried out in accordance with “good forestry practices” as defined in the Forestry Act.
For More Information
The Ministry of Natural Resources administers the MFTIP. MNR program staff in Peterborough can provide you with more information about the program. Applications and program guides including the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) Guide, A Guide to Stewardship Planning for Natural Areas and a list of Managed Forest Plan Approvers in your area can be downloaded from MNR’s MFTIP website or requested by contacting MFTIP program staff at the following:
Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
300 Water Street
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 8M5
Toll free: 1-855-866-3847
E-mail: MFTIP@ontario.ca
Website: www.Ontario.ca/MFTIP
Submitting your Application Package
Applications packages (including a copy of the approved Managed Forest Plan) are now to be submitted directly to the MFTIP Administrator in Peterborough. The deadline for new participants is June 30th (of the year before you enter the program).
Managed Forest Property Assessment 101
Woodlot owners who are interested in entering the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) will find this article insightful on how managed forest properties are assessed by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. Details
Assessment of Managed Forest Properties
For more information on how managed forest properties are assessed, refer to the fact sheet “Backgrounders and Questions and Answers – Assessment of Managed Forest Properties” posted on the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation’s website.