Lawmakers are trying to introduce a billthat provides permanent tax breaks to farmers, ranchers, and landowners who arenot developing their land. Representatives from California and Pennsylvaniaclaim they are introducing a “bipartisan Conservation Easement IncentiveAct of 2013.” Over 125 representatives support the bill so far. Conservationeasements encourage people to preserve open land and keep the natural resourcesthat run with the land. The act enables a permanent tax incentive forfolks who donate development rights that are supposed to expire at the end of2013. The act is believed to assist moderate-income landowners make theconservation choice by raising the tax deduction by twenty percent. The act isbeing endorsed by Ducks Unlimited, the National Cattleman’s Beef Associationand more than 55 other groups.
See Michael Cohn, Congress to Introduce Cobservation Easements Bill, Accounting Today, Jul. 23, 2013.
Special thanks to Brian Cohan (Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Brian J. Cohan, P.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.
