The North Carolina General Assembly, under NCGS 105-277.2, has granted county tax offices the ability to consider the value of specific properties by their present use, or land use, versus market value.
Property taxes in all present-use programs are deferred, meaning that a portion of the taxes become due and payable when a property fails to meet any of the requirements for classification. It is the property owner’s responsibility to notify the tax office of any changes in the size, ownership, use, or income of the property. Deferred tax billing will consist of the current and preceding three years, plus interest.
Currently, there are four programs where the land is valued on the present use: agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and wildlife. Each program has different requirements which you can read about in the Present Use Value Brochure.
To apply for the Agriculture, Horticulture or Forestry Present-use Program, submit FORM AV-5. To apply for the Wildlife Conservation Program, submit FORM AV-56. These forms must be filed with the tax office during the annual listing period, January 1 through January 31.
Additional links:To make voluntary payment of deferred taxes without disqualification from Present Use Program submit
FORM AV-3.To request voluntary disqualification from the Present Use Program submit
FORM AV-6.To request an estimate of deferred taxes submit
FORM AV-7.