Released on July 19, 2000
Saskatchewan farmers will get a rebate of about $450 on their property tax forthe tax years 2000 and 2001. The rebate is part of a $50 million program
announced in this year's budget.
The program will rebate $25 million of taxes paid for two years, dropping the
total agricultural property taxes for education from about $140 million per
year to about $115 million.
Program details will be distributed soon via rural mail drop to all rural
residents.
"Tax relief is a way to help farmers manage their input costs at a time when
farm income is under pressure," Agriculture and Food Minister Clay Serby said.
"Reducing the property tax on farmland, along with other tax reduction
initiatives and incentives to increase diversification and value-added activity
in the province, will help our industry adjust to a rapidly changing
marketplace."
Landowners and lessees of Crown land, who are responsible for paying property
taxes, are eligible for the rebate. All farmland, except for the home quarter,
is eligible for the rebate. If there is no home quarter, or if the farm
residence is located on a parcel of less than 130 acres, then the highest
assessed quarter will be excepted. Financial institutions, out-of-province
owners and government agencies are not eligible.
Application forms will be available by the fall at rural service centres and
rural municipality offices and on the Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food web
site www.agr.gov.sk.ca
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For more information, contact:
Gloria Parisien
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-0541