Ag Valuation Can Cut Your Property Tax Bill in Comal County

A tract can have a high market value and a much lower productivity value. That lower appraisal is for land in qualifying farm, ranch, timber, or wildlife use. It is not a blanket discount for acreage or a rural address.

The land generally must be in qualifying use now and for five of the past seven years. The use must also meet the degree of intensity normally accepted in this area. Comal Appraisal District publishes local standards for livestock, bees, orchards, vineyards, wildlife plans, and other uses.

Wildlife management is not a fresh path around the history test. The land first needs the qualifying open-space or timber base described by state law. Read the current district manual for the tract and use in front of you; a few animals or a hobby garden may not meet the local standard.