U.S. Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) recently introduced legislation that would make permanent the enhanced tax incentives for conservation easements (including historic buildings) that are scheduled to expire at the end of 2013. The Rural Heritage Conservation Extension Act of 2013 (S. 526) allows all taxpayers to deduct up to 50 percent of their adjusted gross income (AGI) for qualified donations of conservation easements.  Any unused deduction can be carried forward for up to 15 years.  S. 526 was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance for consideration.

Click here to read S. 526.