The agricultural classification is available to land that meets the requirements set forth under applicable statutes, rules and regulations.
Specifically, pursuant to Florida Statute 193.461 (3)(a) “No lands shall be classified as agricultural lands unless a return is filed on or before March 1st of each year, and (3) (b)…only lands which are used primarily for bona fide agricultural purposes.” Bona fide agricultural purposes” means good faith commercial agricultural use of land.
The agricultural classification is a benefit to property owners that results in a taxable value based upon agricultural use; this value is typically less than the parcel would be valued without the classification. Once granted, the parcel is valued pursuant to Section 193.461 (6)(a) Florida Statutes.
When property receiving an agricultural classification contains a residence under the same ownership, the portion of the property consisting of the residence and curtilage must be assessed separately to be entitled to the “Save Our Homes” assessment limitation, found in Florida Statute 193.461 (3)(d). Curtilage is typically defined as the land area around the residence.
All equipment owned as of January 1st that is used to obtain an agricultural classification or business purposes must be reported on a DOR-405 Tangible Personal Property Tax Return by April 1st.