8/25

Partnership for Conservation (P4C) Welcomes Conclusion of Senate Finance Investigation

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jon Conradi
860-235-3884
[email protected]

Partnership for Conservation (P4C) Welcomes Conclusion of Senate Finance Investigation, Encourages Lawmakers To Swiftly Advance Solutions to Strengthen the Integrity of All Conservation Easements

Washington, D.C. – Partnership for Conservation (P4C) chairman and president Robert Ramsay issued a statement Tuesday on the report released by the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance on syndicated conservation easement donations.

“Partnership for Conservation welcomes the conclusion of the committee’s investigation into syndicated conservation easement donations,” Ramsay said. “At the announcement of the investigation, before any data was collected, committee staff made clear it was going to find abuses, and it comes as no surprise that the report reached this predetermined conclusion. What is notable is the report again highlights the central issue is valuation, which can and should be addressed with safeguards and guidance that do not rely on a punitive and retroactive change to the law.”

“Lawmakers must now get down to brass tacks and advance real solutions that will strengthen the integrity of all conservation easements, provide clarity for thousands of Americans involved in land conservation and establish bright lines for regulators,” Ramsay said. “Partnership for Conservation will be at the table and looks forward to engaging in an open and thoughtful dialogue with policymakers and stakeholders to advance sensible solutions that will address concerns about proper valuation and at the same time maintain access to conservation easements for all Americans who own land that qualifies under Section 170(h) and choose to participate. Finally, and as the Taxpayer Advocate and others have urged, the IRS must provide taxpayers with the regulatory clarity and safe harbors they need to make easement donations with confidence.”

Read more on P4C’s legislative solutions to strengthen the integrity of conservation easements, while maintaining all Americans’ access to participate, HERE.

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