Tax Benefits For Conservation Easements

Tax benefits for conservation easements or other donations are unique to each taxpayer's situation and depend on many factors including donation value and the donor's adjusted gross income.

The Land Trust does not provide tax advice to landowners and highly recommends that landowners consult their financial advisors when considering potential or actual tax benefits of conservation easements.

As of January 2012, the federal tax benefits for conservation easements reverted back to the pre-2006 status, whereby federal deductions can be up to 30% of the landowner's AGI in the year of the easement gift. Any unused deduction may be carried forward for five additional tax years.

Resources

Land Trust Alliance Tax Policy for Land Conservation - provides up to date information on federal tax incentives and other tax policies for conservation easements

The South Carolina Conservation Incentives Act: An Innovative Approach to Conservation - by LOLT's former President Scott Barnes and Senator Chip Campsen. Includes a summary of tax incentives for South Carolina with brief example calculations

Local, State and Federal Tax Incentives for Conservation Easements, 3rd ed. - an extensive resource by former Governor Mark Sanford and Burnet R. Maybank III, Director, SC Dept. of Revenue