Ohio farmland

The first bill introduced in the 2023 Ohio House is drawing quick opposition from Ohio Farm Bureau. House Bill 1 would create a flat income tax of 2.75%, but what is catching the ire of Ohio’s largest farm organization is a change to the property tax system that, if passed, could give landowners in rural Ohio an increase in their tax bill. In fact, according to the Legislative Service Commission, net taxes charged to owners of residential and agricultural real property would increase an estimated $929 million if this legislation were to become law.

“Property taxes are the most costly tax a farmer pays due to the nature of how they impact production agriculture directly,” said Brandon Kern, senior director of state and national policy with Ohio Farm Bureau, during his testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee in Columbus earlier this week. “Property tax is a tax on agriculture’s most important production asset, farmland. The proposal in HB 1 to repeal the 10% property tax rollback is a significant concern for our members.”

When considering the full spectrum of taxes, Ohio Farm Bureau members have crafted a policy that ranks each type of tax from most palatable to least, based on the costliness and impact of each tax-type on farming production. Given this policy, Farm Bureau takes a holistic approach when reviewing tax proposals. This policy allows Farm Bureau to support or oppose tax reform proposals that take on a number of different forms, according to Kern’s testimony.

“HB1 is a perfect example of a tax proposal that can present mixed results through the lens of our tax policy,” Kern said. “While we welcome policies that help lower the income tax burden on our members, we are very concerned HB 1 will increase property taxes on many, many farm operations.”

Kern told the committee that while Ohio Farm Bureau supports the goal of continuing tax reform in the state, the changes made to property taxes in HB 1 will have significant negative impacts on agriculture in Ohio and urged the removal of the property tax provisions in the bill.

Action Alert

While our organization supports the goal of continuing tax reform in Ohio, the changes made to property taxes in HB 1 will have significant negative impacts on agriculture in Ohio. We urge the removal of the property tax provisions in the bill. Please contact your state representative to urge them to consider changes to HB 1.

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Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
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Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
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Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

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Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
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Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

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Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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