Are there financial benefits to conserving my land?

There can be significant federal income and estate tax benefits, as well as local real estate tax benefits to granting a CR on your land. The Internal Revenue Service allows a federal income tax deduction if the restriction is perpetual, donated “exclusively for conservation purposes,” granted to a qualified conservation organization (or proper government entity) and supported by a “qualified appraisal.” The amount of the tax deduction is determined by the value of the conservation restriction. And, while some landowners donate a CR, others may be able to receive payment for extinguishing the development rights of the land.