Conservation Easements: Tax and Real Estate Planning for Landowners and Advisors

Interest in using conservation easements in charitable and estate plan continues to grow, but to competently advise clients considering an easement donation or sale requires an understanding of the statutory, regulatory, and common-law principles involved as well as a working knowledge of how to use the available resources in this complex field. Conservation Easements provides the information necessary to advise clients on an easement donation or sale, and also provides an invaluable collection of tips and techniques learned from decades of conservation easement practice. Topics covered range from the statutorily allowed conservation purposes required for tax deductibility to tax consequence, valuation and appraisal, and funding sources. Other issues are also examined, including when limited development might be allowed, issues that can arise over the life of the easement, and the roles of each participant in the transaction, including individuals, estates, land trusts, and governmental entities. Showing how this information is applied in practice, the book features four conservation easements in actual use, along with a recap of practical drafting tips and helpful IRS materials. Appendices are also provided on an accompanying CD-ROM.