Homeseading my property for tax purposes

Here the homestead exemption only applies to retired (over 65 years old) or disabled people. They have to file papers and the county approves/declines the exemption. It has to be on a primary residence. We do not have any other ways to cut our tax bill--ag land is taxed at 75% and in town is 99%. (it was last time I checked) You would have to talk to the county you are in to find out what is out there.

Obviously every area is different. VT has a current use program which rewards you with a tax break for "good civi-culture" on parcels over 25 acres (27 if you live on it). All you have to do is get the county forester to set you up with a management plan. Management could be anything from almost clear cut to very little thinning.

The OP is in Michigan. My DH is the head guy of the tax assessment dept for our county (County Equalization). She can call the Equalization Dept at her county and ask for an explanation. However, it is the assessor who will make any changes, and who will determine how the property is to be classed. For property tax purposes, your primary residence is your homestead. Your summer home is not. Agricultural property, classed as such, is taxed the same as primary residence (homestead). If the property is in the Ag class, it will automatically be given the homestead exemption.

If the property is in the Residential class (your property tax notice and bill will show what class the property is in) and it isn't your primary residence, then it doesn't have the homestead exemption. If it is wooded, not farmed, then it will probably be in Residential. We used to use "timber cutover" and give it an Ag pricing, but I'm sure all timber cutover has been put into the residential class.

If it is in the residential class, but is farmed (livestock, farmer's garden, tree farm), doesn't matter how many acres, then you have a case to be given the homestead exemption, and you have to call your assessor.

Does that answer your question?