Today's article is intended to inform prospective purchasers, specifically how to buy a farm in Howell Township, New Jersey and receive property tax relief under the New Jersey Farmland Assessment Act.

Howell, New Jersey is "home" to beautiful agricultural tracts of land.  

Many folks outside New Jersey are surprised to learn of our state monicker, The Garden State.  Some think it's the Toxic State or the State of Fiscal Folly or the Drop the Mob Hit on the Turnpike Median State. 

No, we're green here and we have the advantageous state tax code that benefits farm owners with lower property taxes. 

Let's say you want to purchase a Howell Township farm for sale. How do you qualify for the favorable tax treatment?  

Here are the basic requirements of the New Jersey Farmland Assessment Act:

Basic Requirements: 

1. Applicant must own the land. 

2. Owner must annually apply for Farmland Assessment on Form FA-1 with the 

municipal tax assessor on or before August 1 of the year immediately preceding 

the tax year. 

3. Land must be devoted to agricultural or horticultural uses for at least two years 

prior to the tax year (also see Qualifying Woodland, page 8). 

4. Land must consist of at least 5 contiguous (adjoining) acres being farmed and/or 

under a woodlot management plan. Land under and adjoining the farmhouse is 

not counted in the 5 acre minimum area needed to qualify.  

5. Gross sales of products from the land must average at least $500 per year for the 

first 5 acres, plus an average of $5 per acre for each acre over 5, except in the case 

of woodland or wetland where the income requirement is $.50 per acre for any 

acreage over 5.   

6. Owner must represent that the land will continue in agricultural or horticultural 

use to the end of the tax year.  

Many Howell Township farms for sale do come with a New Jersey farmhouses so you can use your new purchase for your primary residence. The fertile Monmouth County soil is conducive to agricultural pursuits.  Howell Township boasts many a fine horse farm and equestrian center.  

Quite a few of these lush lots for sale operate as Christmas tree farms and nurseries; it's not unusual for landscape companies that sell mulch, shrubbery and even chicken eggs to operate on Howell Township raw land parcels, receiving the benefit of the farm assessment. 

Fast forward to thirty years hence -- you've enjoyed your Howell Township farm and appreciate the opportunity to preserve its pristine beauty.  Howell land owners can sell their development rights back to the Township and the state under the Open Space Preservation.  Entities like the Garden State Preservation Trust and the Monmouth Conservation Foundation (a non-profit organization) are key to securing the natural wonder of the Garden State. 

TO SEARCH HOWELL NEW JERSEY LOTS OR PARCELS GREATER THAN FIVE (5) ACRES CLICK HERE!

If you would like additional information and advice on how to buy a Howell Township farm for sale, please contact me today!

Andrew J. Lenza, ABR GRI MBA
Broker Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker
Mobile (732) 580-0822
www.gardenstate360.com

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