Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Tax Break Credited In Saving Va. Land
This Washington Post article describes Virginia's (and, to a lesser extent, Maryland's) land "conservation" programs.
I consider most of these to be a waste of taxpayer dollars.
The following lines, from deep in the article, are relevant:
Critics view the tax credit less favorably. They say the program is a boondoggle for rich landowners that isn't adequately monitored for compliance. Landowners donate their easement to a third-party agency -- usually the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, which then assumes responsibility to protect the easement. Easement donors qualify not only for the state tax credit but also for charitable deductions on their federal income tax returns. And they are eligible for major reductions in their local property tax bills.
"It's a huge scam," said Sally R. Mann, a property owner near Hamilton who believes her neighbor's use of his land for farming violates the terms of his easement. "The government is paying very wealthy people to live on their estates that they would never subdivide to begin with."
The Virginia Outdoors Foundation, the state agency that holds most easements donated in the state, disagrees. Easements are noted permanently on property deeds, making it almost impossible for property to be developed illegally, said Leslie Grayson, a stewardship director with the foundation. And the foundation employs field inspectors to investigate complaints and monitor compliance, she said.
I consider most of these to be a waste of taxpayer dollars.
The following lines, from deep in the article, are relevant:
Critics view the tax credit less favorably. They say the program is a boondoggle for rich landowners that isn't adequately monitored for compliance. Landowners donate their easement to a third-party agency -- usually the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, which then assumes responsibility to protect the easement. Easement donors qualify not only for the state tax credit but also for charitable deductions on their federal income tax returns. And they are eligible for major reductions in their local property tax bills.
"It's a huge scam," said Sally R. Mann, a property owner near Hamilton who believes her neighbor's use of his land for farming violates the terms of his easement. "The government is paying very wealthy people to live on their estates that they would never subdivide to begin with."
The Virginia Outdoors Foundation, the state agency that holds most easements donated in the state, disagrees. Easements are noted permanently on property deeds, making it almost impossible for property to be developed illegally, said Leslie Grayson, a stewardship director with the foundation. And the foundation employs field inspectors to investigate complaints and monitor compliance, she said.
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