On August 29, the Town Meeting of the Town of Suffield unanimously approved a Farm Building Exemption Ordinance. The enabling state statute, CGS Section 12-91 (c), provides the language for the ordinance. Thirty-three other towns offer this exemption.
The town will exempt up to $100,000 of assessed value to each eligible farm building. The qualifying buildings must be used exclusively for agriculture or for any building used to provide housing for seasonal employees of the farmer. The exemption will not apply to any building that already receives a different abatement (e.g. Dairy Abatement).
In order to qualify for the exemption the farmer must derive at least $15,000 in gross receipts from the farming operation or incur at least $15,000 in expenditures related to the farming operation in the most recently completed tax year prior to application. The farmer should be prepared to provide the Assessor with an IRS Schedule F (Form1040) Farm Profit and Loss from the most recent tax year.
Leased farm buildings are eligible if the Lessee certifies annual gross sales or expenses of at least $15,000.
The farmer/property owner must apply for the exemption with the Assessor’s office annually on or before November 1. Forms will be mailed with the farmer’s Personal Property declaration and will also be available on the Assessor’s department page of the town website (www.suffieldct.gov) and in the Assessor’s office. The Assessor’s Office is located at Town Hall, 83 Mountain Rd, and is open Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. If you have any questions, email ltrase@suffieldct.gov or call the office at 860-668-3866.