Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) encourages communities and localities to consult a forester to discuss goals and objectives for their community’s land and forest resources. No matter what the objectives are, the implementation can be daunting and come with a cost. DOF can assist local leaders with identifying financial assistance and incentive programs that may be available to help with the financial costs associated with forest management and conservation efforts.
Forest Sustainability Fund for Local Government
Financial assistance is available for localities to provide use value taxation to assist landowners in keeping their land as forests. The Forest Sustainability Fund for local government can help eligible localities obtain an allocation from the Fund to help offset lower, or forgone tax revenue resulting from use value taxation.
Learn more about Forest Sustainability Fund for local government.
A variety of financial assistance programs are available through DOF and partner agencies for forest management activities.
Explore All Financial Assistance Programs
Additional Resources
| Image | Title | ID | Description | Date | Content Type | View | hf:tax:document-category | hf:tax:document-tags | hf:tax:Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Hardwood Initiative Tax Credit Program – Offering Tax Incentives for Hardwood Management | FT0062 | Information sheet details the Department of Forestry’s Hardwood Initiative Tax Credit Program, including eligibility and qualifications. Printed copies available. | July 18, 2023 | Publication | View | financial-assistance-forest-management forest-management | 456233 r 434334 2 | publication |
 | Hardwood Initiative Tax Credit Application | 7.29 | Application to apply for Hardwood Initiative Tax Credit. | June 29, 2023 | Form | View | financial-assistance-forest-management forest-management | r 434334 | form |
 | Hardwood Initiative Cost-Share Program – Cost Assistance for Hardwood Management | FT0071 | Information sheet details the Department of Forestry’s Hardwood Initiative Cost-Share Program, including eligibility and qualifications for cost share. | July 18, 2023 | Publication | View | financial-assistance-forest-management forest-management | 456233 r hardwood-initiative-cost-share-program 2 | publication |
 | Forest Sustainability Fund Locality Award Amounts FY2025 | This document presents the forgone revenue from forest land use reported by applying localities and the Forest Sustainability Fund amounts awarded for fiscal year 2025. | January 11, 2023 | Document | View | financial-assistance-forest-management forest-management | forest-sustainability-fund | document | |
 | System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Requesting an Agreement Modification | System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of forestry grants. This guide assists with requesting an agreement modification. | May 4, 2023 | User Guide | View | finance financial-assistance-forest-management urb financial-assistance financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response forest-management urban-and-community-forestry fire-and-emergency-response | firewise-virginia-community-hazard-mitigation-grant-program forest-sustainability-fund system-access-portal-forestry-grants ucf-grant-program va-trees-for-clean-water-program volunteer-fire-assistance-grant-program | user-guide | |
 | System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Agreement Signing | System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of forestry grants. This guide assists with agreement signing. | May 4, 2023 | User Guide | View | finance financial-assistance-forest-management urb financial-assistance financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response forest-management urban-and-community-forestry fire-and-emergency-response | firewise-virginia-community-hazard-mitigation-grant-program forest-sustainability-fund system-access-portal-forestry-grants ucf-grant-program va-trees-for-clean-water-program volunteer-fire-assistance-grant-program | user-guide | |
 | System Access Portal for Forestry Grants User Guide – Forest Sustainability Fund Program | System Access Portal User Guide for application and administration of the Forest Sustainability Fund Program. | September 25, 2024 | User Guide | View | financial-assistance-forest-management forest-management | forest-sustainability-fund system-access-portal-forestry-grants | user-guide | |
 | Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for the 2021 Tax Year | FS-1188 | This USDA Forest Service publication provides tax tips intended to assist forest landowners and their tax advisors in preparing 2021 Federal income tax returns. It can also help plan for future years. This material is for information and educational use only and is not intended as financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with your tax advisor concerning your particular tax situation. | January 12, 2022 | Publication | View | financial-assistance-forest-management forest-management forest | estate-planning forest-planning land-planning tax-planning | publication |
| Cost-Share/AMP Project Amendment | 3.11 | Form to request amendments to existing cost-share or forestry management projects. | October 28, 2020 | Form | View | finance financial-assistance financial-assistance-forest-management financial-assistance-water-quality financial-assistance-forest-health forest-health forest-management water-quality | cost-share-programs eabt-program grant-programs lpfct-program lpr-program pct-program rt-program | form |
| Multiple Landowners Supplement | 3.10 | Form to document multiple landowner information and participation for tracts requesting Virginia Department of Forestry services. | October 28, 2020 | Form | View | finance financial-assistance-water-quality financial-assistance-forest-health financial-assistance financial-assistance-forest-management forest-health forest-management water-quality | cost-share-programs eabt-program grant-programs hemlock-woolly-adelgid-treatment-cost-share-program lpfct-program lpr-program pct-program rt-program | form |
| Forestry Cost-Share or Grant Program Certification of Work Completed | 3.09 | Form to certify completed work and request reimbursement for forestry cost-share or grant program expenditures. | October 28, 2020 | Form | View | finance financial-assistance-forest-health financial-assistance financial-assistance-forest-management financial-assistance-water-quality forest-health forest-management water-quality | cost-share-programs grant-programs lpfct-program lpr-program pct-program | form |
 | Environmental Quality Incentives Cost-Share Program – Project Success Stories | FT0009 | Forestry topic information sheet provides “success stories” portraying real-life experiences of Virginia forest landowners who have used Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) cost-share assistance to accomplish sustainable forest management activities. Printed copies available. | November 3, 2020 | Publication | View | financial-assistance-forest-management forest-management | cost-share-programs environmental-quality-incentives-program 456233 tree-planting wildlife-habitat | publication |
 | Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (Virginia Dept. of Accounts) | W-9 | Form to request taxpayer identification number and certification for tax reporting purposes. | October 28, 2020 | Form | View | finance financial-assistance-water-quality financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response financial-assistance-forest-management urb financial-assistance-forest-health fire-and-emergency-response forest-health forest-management urban-and-community-forestry water-quality | cost-share-programs eabt-program grant-programs hemlock-woolly-adelgid-treatment-cost-share-program lpfct-program lpr-program pct-program rt-program throwing-shade-va-program | form |
| National Timber Tax Website | The National Timber Tax Website was developed to be used by timberland owners, as well as a reference for accountants, attorneys, consulting foresters and other professionals who work with timberland owners regarding the tax treatment of timber related activities. | April 21, 2021 | Resource | View | financial-assistance-forest-management forest-management | forest-planning land-planning landowner-assistance landowner-resources timber-harvesting timber-sales | resource |
Contact Us
DOF foresters can assist with your forestland conservation and management efforts, and financial assistance options available. Contact your local DOF forester.
For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.