Form CR-RP, Application for Rural Preserve Property Tax Program, is the application the Hennepin County Assessor uses to enroll qualifying class 2b rural vacant land in Rural Preserve. It is one of the Hennepin County property tax forms, and it is filed by the landowner, who lists each parcel and the acres to be enrolled. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF. The form itself is published by the county, and the application deadline printed on it is May 1 for taxes payable the following year.
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What is CR-RP?
Form CR-RP, Application for Rural Preserve Property Tax Program, is the county assessor application for property tax relief on class 2b rural vacant land tied to the Green Acres program, under Minnesota Statutes, section 273.114.
The form is for land that was enrolled in Green Acres for the 2007 assessment year (taxes payable in 2008), or that is contiguous to agricultural homestead land enrolled in Green Acres. Completing it asks the county assessor to enroll the parcels you list, with the number of acres for each.
Once land is enrolled, the assessor determines two values: the estimated market value, and a "value without regard to outside influences," called the Rural Preserve Value, which must not exceed the class 2a tilled value for the county. Taxes are calculated on both values but paid on the lower one each year. The difference is deferred until the property no longer qualifies. Special local assessments may also be deferred while the land qualifies.
Rural Preserve is designed to work together with Green Acres, but it is a separate application: land already enrolled in Green Acres, Open Space, Metropolitan Agricultural Preserves or the Sustainable Forest Incentive Act cannot be enrolled on this form. The county's fact sheet on the program also points readers to its Green Acres fact sheet (Fact Sheet 5).
Who needs to file CR-RP?
Owners of class 2b rural vacant land use Form CR-RP when they want that land in Rural Preserve. To qualify, at least one of two statements on the form must apply:
- The property was properly enrolled in Green Acres for taxes payable in 2008 under your ownership and is contiguous to class 2a agricultural land currently enrolled in Green Acres.
- The property is part of an agricultural homestead and is contiguous to class 2a agricultural land currently enrolled in Green Acres.
Before applying, the form says you must certify that the land is not enrolled in the Green Acres program, Open Space program, Metropolitan Agricultural Preserves program or the Sustainable Forest Incentive Act, and is not classified as 2c Managed Forest Land. You must also certify that no delinquent property taxes are owed on any of the land. All parcels on one application must be under the same ownership.
The form can be signed by an owner of the property, or by an authorized member, partner or shareholder of the entity that owns it. Owner types listed on the form include a private individual, a family farm entity, an authorized farm entity under Section 500.24, a corporation owning a nursery, and other entities you specify.
When to file CR-RP
The application must be filed by May 1 to be considered for taxes payable the following year. The county's fact sheet words it the same way: applications are due by May 1 of the assessment year, for taxes payable in the following year.
If the county grants the deferment, you are not required to file the application each year. The county assessor may still ask for an additional application or other proof at any time to verify that you continue to qualify.
Leaving the program has its own consequences. If you withdraw the property, or it no longer qualifies, you must pay back the deferred taxes for the year of termination plus the two prior years, along with any deferred special local assessments and interest. The form also lists a sale or transfer of the property among the events that end the deferment.
Documents you need
- Copy of the most recent available aerial photograph from the Farm Service Agency of the USDA or the County GIS service, clearly outlining the land you wish to enroll. The application requires it.
- Another copy of Form CR-RP, attached if you need more space to list parcels and the acres to be enrolled for each.
- Other supporting documents the county assessor may request to prove the property meets all requirements for enrollment.
How to fill out CR-RP
Leave the office-use box blank
The top box marked For Office Use Only (Approved, Denied, Assessor's signature, Date) is completed by the assessor. Do not write in it.
Confirm the Before You Can Apply statements
Read the instructions on the back, then confirm each statement: you meet the requirements, the land is not in the other listed programs, no delinquent taxes are owed, and the aerial photograph is attached.
Select who owns the property
Under Property is Owned By, mark one: Private Individual, Family Farm Entity, Authorized Farm Entity Under Section 500.24, Corporation Owning a nursery, or Other and specify.
Enter the landowner information
Give the Name of Owner (if Owned by an Individual) or Entity, the Middle Initial if an individual, and the Mailing Address. Add City, State, Zip Code and County.
Answer the qualification questions
Mark YES or NO for statement 1 (enrolled in Green Acres for taxes payable in 2008 and contiguous to class 2a land) and statement 2 (part of an agricultural homestead and contiguous to class 2a land). At least one must apply.
List each parcel and its acres
In the parcel section, enter each Parcel I.D. with its Number of Acres to be Enrolled. Attach another form if you need more space.
Enter the total acres
Write the total of the acres to be enrolled across all parcels in the Total acres to be enrolled box.
Attach the aerial photograph
Attach a copy of the most recent available aerial photograph from the USDA Farm Service Agency or the County GIS service, clearly outlining the land you wish to enroll.
Sign and date the certification
Sign in the Sign Here block and enter the date. You certify the information is true and that you are an owner or an authorized member, partner or shareholder of the owning entity.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check parcel numbers, acres and totals against your records, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Mail it with the attachments as described under How to submit.
How to submit CR-RP
Form CR-RP is submitted by mail to the county assessor. Rural Preserve applications are made to, and approved by, the county assessor of the county where the property is located. The form prints this mailing address:
- By mail: Hennepin County Assessor, 300 S. 6th Street, Mail Code 213, Minneapolis, Mn 55487-0213.
Include the signed application and a copy of the most recent available aerial photograph, from the Farm Service Agency of the USDA or the County GIS service, clearly outlining the land you want to enroll. If you need more room for parcels, attach another form. The form names no online portal, in-person option or filing fee. For questions, contact your County Assessor's Office. If the property is in another county, apply with that county's assessor. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing after May 1; the form says applications must be filed by May 1 to be considered for taxes payable the following year.
- Leaving out the aerial photograph from the Farm Service Agency of the USDA or the County GIS service, or sending one that does not clearly outline the land to enroll.
- Omitting the number of acres to be enrolled for a parcel; the form says the application will be delayed or denied without it.
- Applying with land that is enrolled in Green Acres, Open Space, Metropolitan Agricultural Preserves or the Sustainable Forest Incentive Act, or classified as 2c Managed Forest Land.
- Applying while delinquent property taxes are owed on any of the land being enrolled.
- Listing parcels under different ownership on one application; all parcels must be under the same ownership.
- Signing as someone who is neither an owner nor an authorized member, partner or shareholder of the owning entity.
- Not understanding the consequences of leaving the program: deferred taxes for the year of termination plus two prior years, and deferred special assessments with interest, become due.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form CR-RP?
Form CR-RP is the Application for Rural Preserve Property Tax Program. It asks the county assessor to enroll class 2b rural vacant land in Rural Preserve, which provides property tax relief by deferring the difference between taxes on the market value and on the lower Rural Preserve Value.
When is the Rural Preserve application due?
May 1. The form must be filed by that date to be considered for taxes payable the following year. Once the deferment is granted, you do not have to file the application every year, though the assessor may ask for proof that you still qualify.
Who qualifies for Rural Preserve?
Owners of class 2b rural vacant land that was properly enrolled in Green Acres for taxes payable in 2008 or that is part of an agricultural homestead, and that is contiguous to class 2a land enrolled in Green Acres. The land must not be in other listed programs and must have no delinquent taxes.
What do I attach to the Rural Preserve application?
A copy of the most recent available aerial photograph from the USDA Farm Service Agency or the County GIS service, clearly outlining the land you want to enroll. The assessor may also ask for other supporting documents to prove the land qualifies.
Where do I mail Form CR-RP?
The form prints this address: Hennepin County Assessor, 300 S. 6th Street, Mail Code 213, Minneapolis, Mn 55487-0213. Applications are made to the assessor of the county where the property is located, so land in another county goes to that county's assessor.
What happens if I leave Rural Preserve?
If you withdraw the land or it no longer qualifies, you must repay deferred taxes for the year of termination plus the two prior years. The deferred taxes are a lien against the property, and deferred special local assessments plus interest also come due.
Can I fill out Form CR-RP online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the form; you mail it to the county assessor yourself.
Who can sign the Rural Preserve application?
An owner of the property, or an authorized member, partner or shareholder of the entity that owns it. Your signature certifies the information is true and that you understand the consequences of ending enrollment.
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