What do rollback taxes generally refer to?

Rollback taxes generally refer to increased property taxes that occur when property owners change the use of their land, particularly when converting agricultural or open space land to a more developed or non-agricultural use. In many jurisdictions, when land that has benefited from the lower tax rates associated with agricultural use is converted to another type of use, the owners may be required to pay "rollback" taxes. These taxes reflect the difference between the lower tax rate previously applicable and the higher rate that would apply based on the new usage.

This mechanism is designed to recapture some of the tax revenue that the tax authority may have lost during the time the land was utilized for its previous, lower-taxed purpose. It serves to ensure that property owners who benefit from lower tax assessments due to specific land uses pay their fair share when that use changes.