Benefit Period 2006 - 2010 - application deadline March 31, 2006. If you were approved for the Riparian Tax Credit on your farm properties for the benefit period 2003-2005, your land may be eligible for the new higher benefit levels.  If you were approved for the Riparian Tax Credit on your farm properties for the benefit period 2004-2006, your payments will continue to apply to that land without change.  If you have other land that is now eligible you may apply for the new higher benefit levels. If you were approved for the Riparian Tax Credit on your farm properties for the benefit period 2005-2009, your payments will continue to apply to that land without change. For more information, click on the links below or call 1-800-782-0771.

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 105K)
• Questions & Answers (PDF - size 111K)
• Application - Information Sheet (PDF - size 94K)
• Riparian Tax Credit Application (PDF - size 86K)
• Schedule A (PDF - size 47K)

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