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Death triggers the possibility of a federal estate tax on the assets owned by the deceased person as of the date of death (called the "estate"). A conservation easement on the person’s land can reduce the tax owed.
Land that is perpetually restricted by a conservation easement is valued at its restricted value for federal estate tax purposes. In addition, up to 40% (capped at $500,000) of the value of land restricted by a conservation easement can be excluded from the value of the estate if the easement conforms with Section 2031(c) of the tax code. A charitable contribution of a conservation easement granted by the persons administering the estate (called "personal representatives") can reduce federal estate tax otherwise due. In other words, a conservation easement donated after the death of a landowner can reduce federal estate taxes.
When land subject to a conservation easement is valued for federal estate tax purposes, the restrictions on subdivision, construction of improvements, and activities and uses imposed by the conservation easement are taken into consideration. Thus the conservation easement can result in significant savings in the tax that must be paid by the estate, especially if the land is the primary asset of the estate.
If the deceased landowner failed to grant a conservation easement while alive, the persons handling the estate (called "personal representatives") can take advantage of a tax benefit by donating a conservation easement on property of the estate before the filing of the estate tax return. If the conservation easement otherwise qualifies as a charitable contribution under Code §170(h), the appraised value of the conservation easement can be claimed as a charitable deduction for estate tax purposes under the authority of Code §2055(f). In general, the appraised value of the charitable contribution will be calculated as the difference between the value of the property before restriction less the value of the property as restricted.
If property included in an estate is restricted by a conservation easement that qualifies as a charitable contribution under Code §170(h), up to 40% of the value of the eased property may be excluded from the value of the estate for purposes of estate tax. This exclusion, subject to certain qualifying factors set forth in Code §2031(c), applies whether the conservation easement was granted during the deceased owner's lifetime or after death. The exact percent reduction depends on the extent to which the conservation easement reduces the value of the property. Maximum available exclusion from estate tax is $500,000.
The personal representatives administering the estate must weigh the benefit of the partial exclusion under Code §2031(c) against the detriment that the excluded property will not get the advantage of a stepped up basis for tax purposes. In other words, when the property is eventually sold, the then-owner will pay tax based upon the gain realized over the deceased owner's investment in the property -- not fair value as of the date of death.
Patricia L. Pregmon, attorney at law, was the original author of this document.
Nothing contained in this or any other document available at ConservationTools.org is intended to be relied upon as legal advice or to create an attorney-client relationship. The material presented is generally provided in the context of Pennsylvania law and, depending on the subject, may have more or less applicability elsewhere, There is no guarantee that it is up to date or error free.
Copyright © 2010 Pennsylvania Land Trust Association
Text may be excerpted and reproduced with acknowledgement of ConservationTools.org and the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association.
