Winter Woodlands can help you save property taxes through Ontario'S Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP). If you have at least 4 ha (9.88 ac) of forest we can prepare your application and approval documents along with the required forest management plan, reflecting your unique objectives for your forest and property.

You save at least 75% on MFTIP eligible lands compared to the default residential tax rates. If you're not sure how your forest is being taxed or whether you are eligible for MFTIP, contact us.

The MFTIP is a voluntary program and is appropriate whether you are ‘managing’ your forest for environmental benefits, your own recreation, sustainable timber production or ‘all of the above’. Land participating in the MFTIP is taxed in a similar manner to farmland. It is assessed as woodland and taxed at 25% of the residential rate directly on your property tax bill. 

While saving taxes, the preparation of a professional management plan can help you to learn more about your forest, get valuable advice on good stewardship and management, forest health, and invasive species. MFTIP management plans must be based on good forestry practices – which are often already required under local forest bylaws and are also the optimal approach to maximizing both environmental and economic benefits (see our forest management page).

Key MFTIP facts

•  a voluntary, application-based program; management plans are valid for up to 10 years

• an individual property must have at least 4 ha (9.88 ac) of forest; once this threshold is reached certain types of eligible open areas can also be included
  

• eligible areas must remain as forest and management must follow good forestry practices
  

• if a property is sold, new landowners choose whether they want to participate
  

• applications are due June 30th of the year prior to commencing in MFTIP