The Riparian Tax Credit Program

   Benefit Period 2009 – 2013
   (application deadline June 30, 2009)

• The basic Riparian Tax Credit has been doubled.
• That will automatically double a participant’s slope premium if eligible.
• That may increase the off-site watering component of the credit for some operators if eligible.
• The premium for sloped riparian land has also increased from 20% to 30% of the basic credit.
• The off-site watering component of the credit will be made renewable for participants who complete one benefit period and sign up for the next available intake group.
• The same enhancements will be made available to participants of previous intake groups whose benefit period is not yet expired.
• The application deadline for the 2009-2013 intake is June 30, 2009

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The Riparian Tax Credit is an innovative green program initiated by the Manitoba Department of Finance.

The Riparian Tax Credit is designed to encourage farm operators to upgrade their management of lakeshores and river and stream banks and it recognizes those who have already done so. This property tax credit is the first program of its type in Canada.

Good management of the strip of land adjacent to lake shores and rivers and streams can reduce erosion, buffer the extremes of the flood and drought cycle, improve water quality downstream, and reduce emission of greenhouse gases.  Good riparian management practices include; elimination of tillage, limitation of grazing and watering by livestock, and maintenance of various types of cover, especially deep-rooted shrubs and trees but also including hay to control erosion.

Benefits are available to farmers and livestock producers who make a 5-year commitment to protect a strip along a waterway on agricultural land.  Over time, this approach should benefit the rural economy and contribute to safeguarding water quality throughout rural Manitoba.

Please use the following links to obtain additional information and/or an application for the Riparian Tax Credit:

• Information for Taxpayers (PDF - size 89 kb)
• Questions & Answers (PDF - size 58 kb)
• Application - Information Sheet (PDF - size 65 kb)
• Riparian Tax Credit Application (PDF - size 23kb)
• Schedule A (PDF - size 15 kb)
  

For more information on the Riparian Tax Credit, please contact

The Manitoba Tax Assistance Office
809 - 386 Broadway
Winnipeg  MB  R3C 3R6

Telephone:  1-800-782-0771(toll free)
                   (204) 948-2115 (in Winnipeg)

Fax:            (204) 948-2263
E-mail:        TAO@gov.mb.ca