The enhanced deduction for conservation easement donations expired Dec. 31, 2014. Advocacy will continue to in an effort to make this enhanced deduction permanent.
The incentive raised the deduction a landowner can take for donating a conservation easement from 30 percent of his or her income in any year to 50 percent. It allowed qualifying farmers and ranchers to deduct up to 100 percent of their income. And it extended the carry-forward period for a donor to take tax deductions for a voluntary conservation agreement from five to 15 years.