Certain forestlands in Ontario may be privately owned, but they benefit all Ontarians. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) 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.

Assessment of Managed Forest Properties

For more information on how managed forest properties are assessed, visit the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation’s website