Iowa Admin. Code r. 701—304.40(422) — Charitable conservation contribution tax credit

Effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2008, a charitable conservation contribution tax credit is available for individual income tax which is equal to 50 percent of the fair market value of a qualified real property interest located in Iowa that is conveyed as an unconditional charitable donation in perpetuity by a taxpayer to a qualified organization exclusively for conservation purposes. 304.40(1) Definitions. The following definitions are applicable to this rule: “Conservation purpose” means the same as defined in Section 170(h)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, with the exception that a conveyance of land for open space for the purpose of fulfilling density requirements to obtain subdivision or building permits is not considered a conveyance for a conservation purpose. “Qualified organization” means the same as defined in Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. “Qualified real property interest” means the same as defined in Section 170(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. Conservation easements and bargain sales are examples of a qualified real property interest. 304.40(2) Computation of the credit. The credit equals 50 percent of the fair market value of the qualified real property interest. There are numerous federal revenue regulations, rulings, court cases and other provisions relating to the determination of the value of a qualified real property interest, and these are equally applicable in determining the amount of the charitable conservation contribution tax credit. The maximum amount of the tax credit is $100,000. The amount of the contribution for which the tax credit is claimed shall not be claimed as an itemized deduction for charitable contributions for Iowa income tax purposes. 304.40(3) Claiming the tax credit. The tax credit is claimed on Form IA 148, Tax Credits Schedule. The taxpayer must include a copy of federal Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions, which reflects the calculation of the fair market value of the real property interest, with the Iowa return for the year in which the contribution is made. If a qualified appraisal of the property or other relevant information is required to be included with federal Form 8283 for federal tax purposes, the appraisal and other relevant information must also be included with the Iowa return. Any credit in excess of the tax liability for the tax year may be credited to the tax liability for the following 20 years or until used, whichever is the earlier. If the taxpayer claiming the credit is a partnership, limited liability company, S corporation, or an estate or trust electing to have the income taxed directly to the individual, an individual may claim the credit. The amount claimed by an individual must be based on the individual’s pro rata share of the individual’s earnings of the partnership, limited liability company, S corporation, or estate or trust. 304.40(4) Examples. The following noninclusive examples illustrate how this rule applies: Example 1: A taxpayer conveys a real property interest with a fair market value of $150,000 to a qualified organization during 2008. The tax credit is equal to $75,000, or 50 percent of the $150,000 fair market value of the real property. The taxpayer cannot claim the $150,000 as an itemized deduction for charitable contributions on the Iowa individual income tax return for 2008. Revenue Example 2: A taxpayer conveys a real property interest with a fair market value of $500,000 to a qualified organization during 2009. The tax credit is limited to $100,000, which equates to $200,000 of the contribution being eligible for the tax credit. The remaining amount of $300,000 ($500,000 less $200,000) can be claimed as an itemized deduction for charitable contributions on the Iowa individual income tax return for 2009.