Ag appraisal follows the land's use, not just its acreage

A big Starr County tract does not earn ag appraisal by acreage alone. Under the common 1-d-1 path, the land must be used mainly for agriculture at the level normally accepted around here. It also generally needs farm, ranch, or timber use in five of the past seven years. Wildlife management can qualify, but it has its own rules.

A switch away from farm or ranch use can bring rollback taxes for the prior three years. Texas lists exceptions for some roads, public projects, cemeteries, schools, and oil-and-gas work. Before changing a ranch road, homesite, or shop corner, show Starr CAD the real plan. The answer turns on the new use and the tract's history.