Farm and ranch land in Gaines County can be taxed on use, not market value

Working farm and ranch land in Gaines County can be taxed on what it produces. That value may be much lower than its sale price. This is ag valuation, a special way to value land rather than a tax exemption.

The land must be used mainly for a farm or ranch purpose that qualifies. Its use must meet the local intensity test. The common open-space path also needs farm or timber use in five of the past seven years. File with Gaines County Appraisal District.

A change to non-farm use can trigger rollback tax. It can recover the tax savings for the prior three years in which the land had the lower value. Before setting aside part of a farm for a house, ask the district how that change affects the tract.