By participating in the Native Prairie Tax Exemption Program, Minnesota landowners may qualify for exemption from property taxes on land that is enrolled to preserve native prairie. The program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) in partnership with county tax assessors. Lands eligible for inclusion in the Native Prairie Tax Exemption program must meet the following criteria:

• “Never been plowed, cultivated, or reseeded; not severely altered by heavy grazing or herbicides
• Dominated throughout by native prairie vegetation and no, or limited, tree cover
• At least 5 native prairie species of grasses or sedges and 12 native prairie wildflower species present
• Not be in use as pasture (annually hayed tracts may still qualify)
• Be at least 5 acres [2 hectares] (smaller tracts with important rare species habitat or other significant prairie features may still qualify)” (MnDNR 2016)

Landowners interested in protecting native prairie on their land must apply with the county assessor, and a representative from the MnDNR will conduct a site visit to “evaluate and certify qualifying acres.” Landowners may reduce property taxes by US$1,000 per 0.4 hectares (1 acre) of enrolled qualifying native prairie lands (MnDNR 2016).

•  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR). 2016. Native Prairie Tax Exemption.

Amount of the Incentive
Reduce property taxes by US$1,000 per 0.4 hectares (1 acre) enrolled

Keywords: tax relief