OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION: FEDERAL TAX POLICIES ENCOURAGING DONATION OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

Donation of conservation easements is one way to achieve open space objectives for land. As an incentive for easement donation, tax reductions are available to the easement donor. One of the major tax incentives is deduction of the value of the easement as a charitable contribution on the donor* s personal Federal income tax return. Additional tax reductions may occur annually and/or on disposition of the property. Local real estate taxes should be less after the development rights are given away in the conservation easement. Capital gains tax, gift taxes, or estate taxes should be decreased when the easement donor disposes of his property