(1) The following is the schedule for the full reappraisal productive capacity values for tillable, irrigated farm land for the reappraisal cycle beginning January 1, 2003:

(a) Productive capacity values are calculated by using the formula defined in 15-7-201 , MCA.

ASSESSED VALUE PER ACRE BY WATER CLASS (WC)

Tons		WC1	WC2	WC3	WC4	WC5
Alfalfa		Under	$20.00	$25.00	$30.00	$35.00
Per Acre Grade		$19.99	$24.99	$29.99	$34.55	$40.00
4.5+	1A	863.19	788.19	710.06	631.94	553.51
4.0 - 4.4	1B	741.94	666.92	588.81	510.69	432.56
3.5 - 3.9	2	620.69	545.69	467.56	389.44	311.31
3.0 - 3.4	3	499.44	424.44	346.31	268.19	218.25
2.5 - 2.9	4	378.19	303.19	225.06	218.25	218.25
2.0 - 2.4	5	256.94	218.25	218.25	218.25	218.25
<2.0	6	218.25	218.25	218.25	218.25	218.25

 

(2) The department will apply a phase-in percentage as defined in 15-7-111 , MCA, and ARM 42.20.503 to the full reappraisal productive capacity values for tillable, irrigated farm land for the reappraisal cycle beginning January 1, 2003, if the values are higher than the base values in effect for tax year 2002.

(3) The phase-in formula for each year of the reappraisal cycle is as follows:

(a) change in value = full reappraisal value - value before reappraisal;

(b) phase-in value (year 1) = value before reappraisal + (change in value x .1666) ;

(c) phase-in value (year 2) = value before reappraisal + (change in value x .3342) ;

(d) phase-in value (year 3) = value before reappraisal + (change in value x .4998) ;

(e) phase-in value (year 4) = value before reappraisal + (change in value x .6664) ;

(f) phase-in value (year 5) = value before reappraisal + (change in value x .8330) ; and

(g) phase-in value (year 6) = value before reappraisal + (change in value x 1.000) .

(4) The following examples demonstrate how the phase-in formula calculates the assessed value for irrigated land:

(a) For 2002:

(i) the 2002 full reappraisal value for irrigated grade 1A in water class five is $518.63;

(ii) the full reappraisal value for the same irrigated grade in water class five in 2008 is $553.51; and

(iii) the change in value is $34.88 ($553.51 - $518.63) .

(b) The 2003 phase-in value = $518.63 + (34.88 x .1666) = $518.63 + $5.81 or $524.44.

(c) For 2007:

(i) the 2002 full reappraisal value for irrigated grade 1A in water class five is $518.63;

(ii) the full reappraisal value for the same irrigated grade in water class five in 2008 is $553.51; and

(iii) the change in value is $34.88 ($553.51 - $518.63) .

(d) The 2007 phase-in value = $518.63 + (34.88 x .8330) = $518.63 + $29.06 or $547.69.

(5) The department will not apply a phase-in percentage calculation to the full reappraisal productive capacity values for tillable, irrigated farm land values for the reappraisal cycle beginning January 1, 2003, if the values are lower than the base values in effect for tax year 2002. If the full reappraisal productive capacity values for tillable, irrigated farm land are lower than the base values in effect for tax year 2002, the full reappraisal productive capacity values for tillable, irrigated farm land will be fully implemented on January 1, 2003, and remain in effect for each year of the reappraisal cycle.

(6) Water costs are the combination of allowable labor costs, on-farm energy costs, and a $10 base water cost which is applicable to every acre of irrigated land. Total allowable water costs may not exceed $40 for each acre of irrigated land.

(7) Allowable labor costs which pertain to this rule are provided in 15-7-201 , MCA.

(8) Allowable energy costs, expressed as cost per acre, are the actual costs incurred in the energy cost base year, which is the calendar year immediately preceding the year published by the department in ARM 42.18.124, for energy to provide water from a definitive source to identifiable fields by use of commonly accepted irrigation system practices.

(9) Energy costs shall be documented with electrical or fuel statements. The taxpayer shall furnish specific information about the irrigation system and pumps. If receipts for the taxpayer's irrigation energy costs cannot be separated from the overall farm operation, a letter to the department explaining how the irrigation energy costs were calculated will be sufficient.

(10) By July 1 of the year following the energy cost base year, all irrigated land taxpayers must provide all required irrigation type, irrigated acreage, and energy cost information incurred in the energy cost base year to the department on the prescribed forms. Failure to provide the required information will result in no energy cost deduction to the irrigated land value calculated by the department for property tax purposes.

(11) To make changes in the irrigated land values for tax years after the year published by the department in ARM 42.18.124, irrigated land taxpayers must provide to the department updated information by the first Monday in June of the current tax year or within 30 days of receiving a notice of classification and appraisal, whichever is later. That information will be limited to land use and irrigation system changes. A change in ownership is not a basis for using energy costs from a different year other than the energy cost base year. Failure to provide the updated information by the deadline will result in no change being made in the irrigated land values previously calculated by the department.

(12) The department may conduct field reviews and gather data on energy costs to ensure equality of treatment for all irrigated land taxpayers. The department may adjust the irrigated land values if information supports that action. The irrigated land taxpayer will be notified in writing of that action.