Is Your Conservation Easement A Listed Transaction?

If you invested in a partnership or other passthrough entity, which provides pass-through deductions for conservation easements, that arrangement may be considered a "syndicated conservation easement" and a "listed transaction,"  and you may be faced with  new IRS reporting obligations.

According to Notice 2017-10, if you entered into this type of arrangement on or after January 1, 2010, and if that arrangement is "the same as or substantially similar to" the syndicated conservation easements described in the Notice, the "listed transaction" provisions of  §1.6011-4(b)(2) and §§6111 and 6112 become effective December 23, 2016.  If these provisions apply, you must disclose the transaction to the IRS, for each taxable year in which you participated in the transaction, provided that the period of limitations for assessment of tax has not ended on or before December 23, 2016.  Failure to disclose your participation can result in stiff civil monetary penalties.