Landmark property tax bill legality issue

8-26-2014 Update: Supreme Judicial Court in Massachusetts rules conservation lands are tax exempt.

The New England Forestry Foundation refused to pay their property taxes (<$200) for 120 acres of land and trees. They claimed they should be exempted of property taxes because their property satisfied a state law which exempts taxes if property provides a public good by preserving nature. (No, not available for normal resident if you fail to mow your grass and claim preservation - sorry.) Main question: Does vacant land provide a benefit to the community? The outcome of this case could set precedence across the country on how many other land trusts with large land tracts or organizations pay property taxes. Source: WSJ, 2-5-2014, A3 References to information, products, and/or services are not a specific endorsement, but the user must perform their due diligence and investigate whether the information, product, or service is right for them. I welcome any or all comments that would help others.

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