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Enrollment Resources
Instructions for New Applicants to the Qualified Forest Program (QFP)
Eligibility Requirements
- Each tax parcel must be 20 contiguous acres or more in size.
- Tax parcels 20-39.9 acres must be not less than 80% stocked with productive forest.
- Tax parcels 40 acres or more must be not less than 50% stocked with productive forest.
- Tax parcels that contain both agricultural use land and productive forests may be enrolled if the combination of the two uses exceeds the above listed stocking requirements. Note: Provide Treasury Form 5020 to your Township assessor to indicate the acres of agricultural use on the parcel(s). Available at www.michigan.gov/qfp
Submitting Your Application
If your parcel meets the above requirements, submit the following items on or before September 1st to qualify for the QFP tax exemption in the next tax year:
- Qualified Forest Program Application.
- Copy of parcel(s) Forest Management Plan (FMP).
- QFP Stand Summary and Harvest Schedule.
- Copy of the most recent deed and/or land contract reflecting the current ownership.
- Copy of tax bill(s) for each parcel that you wish to enroll.
- An application fee of $50 (non-refundable) per FMP made payable to State of Michigan. Note: If FMP covers more than one township include a $50 fee per township. Validation code for credit card payment: QFP2025!
Qualified Forest Program Application
An application per Township and/or ownership pattern is required.
Forest Management Plan
Attach a copy of the FMP written by a Qualified Forester. A list of Qualified Foresters and the FMP Checklist is available at www.michigan.gov/qfp.
QFP Stand Summary and Harvest Schedule
This form summarizes the stand conditions of all land being enrolled in QFP and states the beginning of the harvest window for stand.
Contact Name.
Deed(s) and/or Land Contract(s)
Attach a copy of the most recent deed and/or land contract for each parcel in the application. This information is utilized to determine the correct ownership pattern and verify the owner(s) hold the timber rights to the parcel(s).
Tax Bill(s)
Attach a copy of the most recent tax bill, notice of assessment or record card for each parcel to be enrolled. The tax bill, notice of assessment or record card must contain the landowner or business name, tax parcel ID number, and legal description.
Application Fee
An application fee of $50 (non-refundable) per FMP made payable to State of Michigan. Note: If FMP covers more than one township (tax collecting unit), include a $50 fee per township.
Application Submission
Send the above listed 6 items to the following address:
If you wish to send in your information via email, please submit items 1-5 to the following email address: mdard-qfp@michigan.gov. Note: you will receive an email confirmation if your email has been successfully received. You will also need to send a check made payable to State of Michigan for the application fee along with a hard copy of your QFP Application Form (MDARD QFP Form 1), to the above listed address.
IMPORTANT: Complete applications must be post marked by September 1 in order to qualify for the exemption in the next tax year.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at (517) 284-5630 or MDARD-QFP@michigan.gov.