Ohio Justices Will Hear Arguments on Woodlands’ Tax Valuations

The Ohio Supreme Court decided Friday to hear a dispute about how the state should assess taxes for woodlands used for agricultural purposes while considering the deductibility of clearing costs.

Ohio asseses agricultural land at its current agricultural use value, which is based on the agricultural income potential, instead of its fair market value, according to the plaintiffs’ brief filed in August.

Nearly 30 plaintiffs said the state undervalued the costs to clear certain woodlands at $1,000 per acre for 2015 through 2020, which are deductible. The Board of Tax Appeals ignored data to show that the clearing costs ranged ...