Do you own fewer than 20 acres in ag or timber? Have you been told you do not qualify for wildlife because you have fewer than 20 acres? Don’t give up so soon. Keep reading and we’ll explain why the wildlife management valuation may be right for you, and why you do actually qualify. There are over 3 million acres in Texas with wildlife management as the current ag valuation use. Many of those are smaller acreage...
Blog & Newsletters
When tax bills began arriving in the fall, you were no doubt reminded of the economic benefit of having a wildlife or agricultural valuation in place. Whenever the Texas Legislature is coming into session, we at Plateau are often asked, “Are they going to take away my wildlife or agricultural valuation?” And as certain as death and taxes, we should expect at least one or two newspaper articles next spring about how some landowners are...
21
Dec 2018
From the Plateau Land & Wildlife Management Team We’ve seen a few cold snaps here in Central Texas and we are all getting in the holiday spirit. This time of year is full of joy, relaxation*, and celebrations. The crew at Plateau is feeling particularly celebratory this year because we have a lot to be grateful for. For one, we work at one of the best companies in the world. This company allows us to do what...
05
Nov 2018
A variety of challenges are encountered in land ownership and management, and few are more sensitive than the prospect of endangered species. As a result of complicated state and federal laws and regulations, many landowners are uncomfortable with the implications of having endangered or threatened species on their property. There are also numerous misconceptions associated with endangered species and landowner rights and responsibilities. However, having endangered species on your property, particularly a Hill Country specialist...
22
Sep 2018
From the Plateau Land & Wildlife Management Team It hardly seems possible, but another summer is behind us and a beautiful Texas fall is now upon us. With the arrival of fall, we all know that deer and quail season, crisp fall weather, changing leaves, and the holiday season are right around the corner. Our hope is that you all got to spend some quality time on your land this summer. Fall brings a rejuvenated excitement for life...
21
Jun 2018
From the Plateau Land & Wildlife Management Team Where did the first half of this year go? It has been the most eventful Winter and Spring seasons on record for us here at Plateau. We’ve been busy helping another 300+ landowners take advantage of all the benefits Wildlife Management has to offer. Mostly, we have been getting as much done as we could before another stifling Texas Summer hits home. Those of us who are from...
14
Jun 2018
For land that loses “ag” valuation, Plateau works closely with our sister company, Braun & Gresham, and together we have an interesting and effective alternative to paying taxes on market value while reestablishing agricultural use. Taxes can be returned to “ag” rates if the property is made available for ecological research. Plateau and Braun & Gresham are uniquely able to set up qualifying Ecological Laboratories through our many relationships with colleges and universities. As a conservation-minded...
14
Jun 2018
At the end of the day, it’s a property tax savings, but using the right terms can help avoid confusion. As we have learned over more than two decades of helping landowners with ag and wildlife exemptions (turns out that’s what most people call them), misunderstandings are common and conventional wisdom can be misleading. Even something as simple as what to call this significant property tax benefit can be confusing. Some of our recent efforts to...
01
Jun 2018
Each year over 300 landowners purchase an Annual Wildlife Management Service Agreement to help implement their wildlife management plans. Here are just a few benefits these landowners are taking advantage of each year: Ease and Peace of Mind: Plateau will take care of your wildlife management activities giving you more time to enjoy your property resting easy knowing your valuation is being taken care of and you are moving toward the goals set forth in...
23
Apr 2018
By Sarah Kahlich, AWB ®, Senior Wildlife Biologist & Registered Property Tax Consultant Around May 1st every year, central appraisal districts mail notices of appraised value to property owners. Often, the first thing a landowner notices is there is no value in the “Productivity Value of Ag/Timber Land” for the current year when there was the year before. This may cause increased heart rate and confusion to the person reading the notice. The most common first...