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Maintaining Your Agricultural & Wildlife Tax Valuation in Texas

If you own land in Texas, securing and maintaining an agricultural valuation (also known as 1-d-1 Open Space Appraisal) or a wildlife exemption can significantly reduce your property taxes. However, there are key requirements that landowners must meet to retain these benefits.

Why Maintaining Your Exemption Matters

Keeping your land’s agricultural valuation or wildlife exemption is crucial for protecting its long-term value and minimizing property taxes. If the exemption is lost due to non-compliance, property taxes can increase significantly, making ownership more expensive and potentially reducing the land’s resale value. Ensuring that the property remains in compliance with exemption requirements helps landowners preserve their investment and avoid costly rollback taxes.

How to Qualify & Maintain Your Exemption

1. Agricultural Valuation (1-d-1 Open Space Appraisal)

This special appraisal allows land to be taxed at agricultural productivity value rather than market value.

✅ Eligibility:

  • Land must be primarily used for agriculture (livestock, crops, timber, beekeeping, etc.)
  • Must have been agriculturally productive for at least 5 of the past 7 years
  • Usage must meet the intensity standards set by the county appraisal district

✅ Filing Requirements:

  • Submit Form 50-129 to the county appraisal district before April 30 of the year you are requesting the valuation
  • If you acquire new land, file a new application to continue the exemption
  • 📌 View the official 1-d-1 Open-Space Application Form (PDF)

2. Converting to a Wildlife Management Exemption

If you no longer want to use your land for traditional agriculture, you can convert it to a wildlife managementexemption.

✅ Key Requirements:

The land must have previously qualified for an ag valuation under 1-d-1

Landowners must implement at least three of the following wildlife management practices:

  • Habitat control
  • Predator control
  • Providing supplemental food
  • Providing supplemental water
  • Providing shelters
  • Conducting wildlife population censuses

A Wildlife Management Plan must be submitted to the appraisal district

📌 More info on Agricultural & Wildlife Exemptions

Important Deadlines & Common Mistakes

  • 🚨 Filing Deadline: Applications must be submitted by April 30 each year
  • 🚨 Rollback Tax Penalty: If land use changes and the exemption is lost, the state may impose a rollback tax for the previous 5 years plus interest
  • 🚨 Ownership Transfers: If land changes hands, the new owner must reapply for the special valuation

Watch This Video to Learn More

Keeping your ag or wildlife exemption in place is one of the most effective ways to ensure your land retains its value and affordability. Make sure to follow the proper guidelines and deadlines to avoid unnecessary tax burdens.

📞 Have questions? Contact your local appraisal district or an experienced land consultant to ensure you stay compliant.

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