SIMSBURY, CT — Local officials earlier this month approved two tax abatement proposals providing a major financial helping hand to local farmers.
In two separate votes on Sept. 9, the Simsbury Board of Selectmen unanimously approved tax breaks for farm machinery as well as tax abatements for buildings used in farming.
The farm machinery tax abatement would require local farmers to apply annually for the tax break on items such as combines, tractors, etc.
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As for the buildings, the passage of that abatement now requires the town’s assessor’s office to visit the sites of applicants seeking the abatement for verification a building is used, strictly, for agricultural purposes.
According to the new tax breaks, the assessed value limit for farm machinery tax breaks is up to $1000,000 while the agricultural buildings exemption is for buildings assessed up to $250,000.
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Town officials said only professional, working farms are eligible for the tax breaks.
“Only actual, true farmers are able to apply for that,” said Simsbury Tax Assessor Francine Beland. “It’s not a gentleman’s farm. It’s an active farm that qualifies for that.”
Prior to the votes, both items were the topics of a single public hearing, with some mixed opinions on the abatements.
Both Whitcomb Drive resident Joan Coe and Oakhurst Road resident Lori Boyko opposed the abatements, both expressing concern about single groups of people being exempted from tax obligations.
Coe said she is “concerned when a tax group is incentivized.”
Boyko, meanwhile, said she doesn’t feel “any of the businesses should be charged for their equipment,” adding the problem regarding taxes is everyone is being taxed too much.
“We should have equal treatment without increased taxation,” Boyko said.
Others supported the tax breaks for farmers, saying the job of farming is both necessary and difficult and anything to help the profession is welcome.
Among those showing support were Nevin Christensen of Flamig Farm on West Mountain Road and Susan Masino of Madison Lane and Simsbury Grange No. 197.
Christensen said farms require “a lot of work” and they “need to evolve to survive” and tax incentives help when a farm’s profitability is so uncertain.
Masino said tax breaks for farmers are beneficial given what farms provide to a community.
For more information on the Simsbury farming tax abatement programs, click on this link.
For the minutes of the Sept. 9 Simsbury Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.
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