Present Use Valuation

When a parcel of land has been classified by the assessor of property as agricultural, forest, or open space land under the provisions of T.C.A. § 67-5-1001 et seq., it shall be subsequently considered that its current use for agricultural or timber purposes or as open space is its immediate most suitable economic use, and assessment shall be based upon its value in that current use, rather than on value for some other use as may be determined in accordance with T.C.A. § 67-5-601 et seq. It is the responsibility of the applicant to promptly notify the assessor of any change in the use or ownership of the property which might affect its eligibility under the Greenbelt Law.¹

After a parcel of land has been classified by the assessor of property as agricultural, forest, or open space land under the provisions of T.C.A. § 67-5-1001 et seq., the assessor shall record it on a separate list for such classified property. The assessor may record with the register of deeds the application for the classification of the property. However, if the assessor does not record the application, then the property owner shall record with the register of deeds the application for the classification of the property. Any fees which may be required are paid by the property owner.²

The assessor must appraise the land and compute the taxes each year based upon both the 25 percent of appraised value applicable to property in the farm classification and present use value; and farm classification and value as determined pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-5-601 et seq., but taxes shall be assessed and paid only on the basis of farm classification and present use value under the provisions of T.C.A. § 67-5-1001 et seq. The taxes computed pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-5-601 et seq. shall be used to compute the rollback taxes as defined in T.C.A. § 67-5-1004 and as provided for in T.C.A. § 67-5-1008(d).³