Tax Benefit Information

The New Mexico Land Conservancy provides the following information as a resource to assist you as you consider placing your land under a conservation easement.

Federal and state laws, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, provide income and estate tax incentives for conservation easements and other forms of land conservation. All of these are based on the concept that protecting certain conservation values serves the public good.

Federally recognized conservation values include natural habitat of fish, wildlife, or plants; historically important lands or structures; scenic views and open space; and public recreational and educational opportunities. The preservation of open space can include farm, ranch and forest land, when it is for the scenic enjoyment of the general public or when such preservation is in accordance with a governmental conservation policy for the benefit of the general public.

Protection of these conservation values is the purpose of a conservation easement and what potentially qualifies the donation of a conservation easement for federal and state tax benefits.

The following section outlines the Federal and New Mexico state tax benefits in more detail.

Federal Tax Benefits

New Mexico State Tax Benefits

Estate Tax Benefits

The New Mexico Land Conservancy cannot provide tax and legal advice, and recommends that you consult with your own tax and legal advisors when considering placing your land into a conservation easement.