Need CPA or lawyer experienced with Syndicated Conservation Easements for regenerative agriculture project

Thanks for the detailed response! How does the IRS view syndicated easements specifically for regenerative agriculture? Does having tangible environmental improvements (like documented water table increases) help with avoiding scrutiny? And what kind of ratio should we expect between investment and tax deduction?

The IRS doesn't give preferential treatment to any specific type of conservation purpose - they're focused on proper valuation regardless of the environmental goal. Having documented environmental improvements is excellent for the conservation purpose test, but it doesn't resolve the valuation concerns that trigger most audits. For ratios, this is exactly what gets scrutinized. Historically, many syndicated deals advertised 4:1 or 5:1 ratios (deduction:investment), which the IRS views as abusive. A defensible ratio would be closer to 1.5:1 or 2:1, and must be supported by qualified independent appraisals showing legitimate before/after values. Remember that investors typically pay ordinary income tax rates on any easement deduction disallowed by the IRS, plus penalties.

How exactly does this service work? I'm a bit confused about how an AI tool can provide legal advice on something as complex as syndicated conservation easements. Does it connect you with actual tax attorneys or is it just analyzing documents?

I'm skeptical. Conservation easements are super nuanced and the landscape changes constantly with new court cases. Can an automated service really stay current on all of that? Don't you need someone who can understand the specifics of your land and your particular situation?

The service works by analyzing your documents and providing detailed tax guidance - it's not just generic information. You upload your specific agreements, proposals, or tax questions, and it analyzes everything against current tax law. It's particularly good at identifying potential issues with specialized deductions like conservation easements. For your question about staying current, that's actually where I found it most valuable. The analysis includes recent Tax Court decisions and IRS notices that affect conservation easements. You're right that every situation is unique - that's why being able to upload your specific documents gives you more tailored guidance than generic advice.

How does this service actually work? I've literally never been able to reach anyone useful at the IRS no matter how long I wait. Are they just using some special phone line that regular people don't have access to?

This sounds too good to be true. The IRS is notoriously unhelpful even when you do reach them. Half the time they give incorrect information anyway. I find it hard to believe they're providing detailed guidance on something as complex as syndicated conservation easements over the phone.

The service basically handles the waiting for you - they have technology that navigates the IRS phone system and waits on hold, then calls you when an actual agent is on the line. They're not using any special access, just automating the painful waiting process. Regarding getting helpful information, I specifically asked for a specialist in conservation easements. The first agent transferred me to someone in that department, and that person was actually quite knowledgeable. They didn't give tax planning advice, of course, but they clarified specific reporting requirements and documentation standards for these transactions. You're right that some agents aren't helpful, but when you speak with someone who specializes in your issue, the quality of information is much better.

Thanks for sharing this structure! I'm curious - how do you typically handle the ongoing relationship between the for-profit entity that holds the land and the non-profit doing the regenerative work? Is there a lease arrangement, or do you set up some kind of management agreement?

We typically use a long-term management agreement that gives the non-profit the right to implement their regenerative programs while the for-profit entity maintains ownership. This agreement needs to be established before the easement is placed, as it becomes part of the baseline documentation. For funding, we usually structure it so a portion of the tax benefit received by investors flows to the non-profit through a contractual arrangement. This provides ongoing operational funding beyond just the initial land access. Be careful though - the management fees must be reasonable and market-based, or the IRS might view the entire arrangement as a disguised donation scheme rather than a legitimate business structure.

That's actually really smart. We did something similar but with sustainable timber harvesting. The key was having a qualified appraiser who understood both the development value being restricted and the remaining economic use. Made the valuation much more defensible.