Your Real Estate Can Be a Gift for Nature To learn more, complete the form on this page or contact our specialists at (833) 336-PLAN or legacy@tnc. You can also visit our website.
A conservation easement is just one of many options. You may also donate or sell property, donate or sell development rights, or do a bargain sale with a land trust. The opportunity of a permanent conservation easement can protect a family farm or ranch, allowing for future generations to continue in agriculture.
Landowners who want to protect their land well into the future can enter into a conservation easement with a land trust, government agency, tribe or other qualified organization. Conservation easements offer effective and flexible protection, and are one of the most frequently used tools for conserving private land.
Individuals may deduct qualified contributions of up to 100 percent of their adjusted gross income. A corporation may deduct qualified contributions of up to 25 percent of its taxable income. Contributions that exceed that amount can carry over to the next tax year.
If you give property to a qualified organization, you can generally deduct the fair market value (FMV) of the property at the time of the contribution.
Income tax strategies—Donations to 501(c)(3) public charities qualify for an itemized deduction from income. Because the tax rate is then applied to a reduced income, this can minimize your overall tax liability.
Contact land trusts and government agencies that work to assist landowners in your community who are interested in conservation. Get to know their policies and services, and discuss what you'd like to accomplish on your land and what rights you'd like to keep.
TNC accepts two types of real estate gifts, both of which are critical to our work: land that donors would like permanently protected and land that donors permit us to sell, with the proceeds going to support our work.