MANAGE FORESTS & LAND

  • 2025 Texas Timber Tax Workshop

    Many landowners continue to pay more than their fair share of taxes on their timber income. Even forest landowners who use accountants need to understand how timber expenses and income are taxed, since some tax preparers are not well versed in special tax treatment for forestry. Knowing the tax laws will give you an advantage in planning your forest management activities.


    The two-day workshop will provide basic information about timber taxation and the latest changes to tax laws and rules for 2024 tax return preparations. Topics will focus on federal timber income tax issues for private forest owners with a refresher on local timberland property tax incentives. Participants will gain a clear understanding of commonly misunderstood timber tax issues.


    Who Will Benefit

    The workshop is designed for forest landowners, consulting foresters, accountants, attorneys, and others who work with forest landowners in matters pertaining to timber taxes.

     + Speakers
    Dr. Tamara Cushing

    Dr. Cushing is an Extension Forest Business and Economics Specialist at University of Florida. She was Starker Chair of Private and Family Forestry and Assistant Professor at Oregon State University from 2009 to 2021. She was named a fellow of the Society of American Foresters in 2017 and served as President in 2020. She holds a forestry degree from University of Florida, two Master’s degrees – one in Forest Economics and one in Taxation – from Mississippi State University, and a Ph.D. from University of Georgia in Forest Finance. She works to educate landowners, foresters and tax professionals about the economics of growing trees and tax code interactions with forestry.


    Mr. Matt Broyles, CPA

    With a career spanning over 13 years, Matt has amassed a wealth of experience in taxation and accounting. His areas of expertise include income and estate tax, accounting services, software consulting (including QuickBooks), and tax planning. He has had the privilege of working with clients from diverse industries, such as real estate, forestry, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and retail, demonstrating his adaptability and versatility. Matt is a proud alumnus of Sam Houston State University and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Science in accounting. He joined the firm in 2011 as a tax associate, earned his Certified Public Accountant license in 2014, and became a partner in 2018. In 2024 he was appointed Tax Director for the firm. Matt is a member of the AICPA and the TXSCPA and currently serves as a member of the Sam Houston State University Accounting Advisory Council. He has been invited to speak about income taxes related to timber at the Texas A&M Forest Service Timber Tax Workshop since 2020. Matt’s charitable activities include coaching his children’s Little League team and volunteering at his church. Matt and his family reside in the Livingston area and spend their free time outdoors or on the water.


    Ms. Sarah Gutierrez

    Agriculture and Timberland Appraiser, Property Tax Assistance Division, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.


    Mr. Mark Freeman

    Agriculture and Timber Appraiser at San Jacinto County Appraisal District.


    Mr. Eric Wannlund

    Staff Forester at Texas A&M Forest Service.

     + Continuing Education Credits

    The workshop qualifies for Continuing Education Credits: CFE (foresters) 10.0 hours, CLE (loggers) 10.0 hours, CPE (CPAs) 12.4 hours, and CPT (property tax professionals) 7 hours. No prerequisite needed.

     + Agenda

    Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 (by Tammy Cushing):

    8:30-8:45

    • Welcome & Introduction
     

    8:45-10:15

    • Update for the Federal Timber Income Tax
    • Record Keeping, Reforestation Expenses, Basis Determination, Depletion, and Amortization
     

    10:15-10:30

    • Q&A session
     

    10:30-11:45

    • Form T and other related Tax Forms: Detailed Explanation 
     
    11:45-12:00
    • Q&A Session 
     

    12:00-1:00

    • Lunch & Break
     

    1:00-2:30

    • Cost-share Payments under Section 126
    • Income Tax Considerations during Timber Sales
     

    2:30-3:00

    • Q&A Session
     
    3:00
    • Adjourn
     


    Wednesday, February 5th, 2025:

    8:30-8:45 

    • Welcome & Introduction
     

    8:45-9:30

    • Texas Timberland Property Tax (by Sarah Gutierrez) 
     

    9:30-9:45

    • Q&A session / Transition
     

    9:45-10:30

    • Appraisal of Timberland (by Mark Freeman)
     
    10:30-10:45
    • Q&A session / Transition
     

    10:45-11:30

    • Use of Advanced Technology for Record Keeping: A Demonstration of TexasForestInfo.com (by Eric Wannlund)
     

    11:30-11:45

    • Q&A session
     

    11:45-1:00

    • Lunch & Break
     
    1:00-2:00
    • Practical Issues during Tax Filing
    • Discussion on Current Tax-related Issues (by CPA Matt Broyles)
     

    2:00-3:00

    • Q&A Session
     

    3:00

    • Adjourn
     
     + Time & Location

    Feb 4 - Feb 5, 2025 (Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm CST)

    Online

     + Registration

    ==REGISTER NOW==

     + Contact
    If you are interested in exhibiting at the workshop or want to know more about the event, please contact Melissa Yeldell at (979) 458-6650 or melissa.yeldell@tfs.tamu.edu.