Ways that supporting habitat conservation can help your wallet
As a nonprofit organization, contributions to Ducks Unlimited are tax-deductible – but in addition to just cash donations for tax deductions, there are other ways that individuals and landowners can contribute to DU and receive a break on their taxes.
Landowners who are looking to preserve their land can also save on their tax bills by donating their voluntary conservation easements to groups like Ducks Unlimited. By donating their land to DU, landowners can permanently set aside a piece of property in exchange for deducting the value of that land from their annual tax bill.
Individuals over the age of 59½ can donate all or part of their distributions from their IRAs and be relieved from the associated tax burden – lowering their tax responsibility and helping to conserve waterfowl habitat for future generations at the same time.
Despite a recently passed extension, the authorization for these important tax incentives will expire on December 31, 2011. The total bill is expensive, which leaves us with concern about the reality of the passage of this bill. These provisions have helped conserve thousands of acres of wetlands and waterfowl habitat in just a few years, but must be made permanent so they can continue to be successful.
Senators Max Baucus (MT), Charles Grassley (IA), and Jon Tester (MT) and Congressmen Jim Gerlach (PA) and Mike Thompson (CA) have introduced bills to make incentives for donating Conservation Easements permanent. See list of supporters and encourage your Representative to sign on if they haven't already!
