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Monetizedconservation credo

MONETIZED CONSERVATION EASEMENTS: FRIEND OR FOE?

Cost Free
Presentation Length 1.0 hour

Recorded DateJune 19, 2018
CPE:Not available
(archived webinars do not offer CPE credits)
Subject AreaTaxes
Course LevelBasic
Series: Taxes
Course Description

In March 2016, the Wall Street Journal published an article regarding Donald Trump’s use of conservation easements.  The article addressed how the then president-elect frequently donated development rights on his properties to conservation groups and these donations allowed Trump to take significant federal income tax deductions. In December 2016, the IRS declared syndicated conservation easements to be a listed transaction (Notice 2017-10). In December 2017, Fortune Magazine Published “The Billion Dollar Loophole”, which described in detail how high-income taxpayers are deriving tax benefits from syndicated conservation easement projects, again, including Donald Trump as an example.  Notice 2017-10 caused a stir in the conservation community that has settled down recently, yet the question remains…are syndicated conservation easements a result of good tax and environmental policy in Washington or are they merely a risky tax avoidance scheme?    

Learning Objectives

  • Attendees will gain knowledge about what a conservation easement is and what is meant by a syndicated conservation easement project.

  • The federal income tax benefits that are associated with the donation of a conservation easement.

  • Requirements a taxpayer must meet in order to obtain that deduction and how the amount of the deduction is determined.

  • The audit risks.

  • Current climate for legislation regarding conservation easements.

  • Important Disclosures and Limitations.

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PLEASE NOTE: ARCHIVED WEBINARS DO NOT QUALIFY FOR CPE
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As the President of Credo, Dan Lucas advises clients with a CFO mentality, in all aspects of accounting, finance, tax, operational strategy and best practices. He also directs the Credo team in establishing the strategies for the growth of the firm and continually raising the bar on its standards of exceeding clients’ expectations.

In 2004, Dan simultaneously founded Bordwok Enterprises, LLC and Credo Financial Services, LLC. These two entities allowed Dan to provide hands-on leadership and financial management services for various private companies and REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts).

He has accrued broad financial experience working with companies ranging in revenues from $50,000 to $60 billion. This work includes leadership roles with a large public accounting firm, two different marketing agencies, several real estate investment and/or construction companies, a Fortune 15 healthcare technology and pharmaceutical company, just to name a few.

Dan has worked with technology services, software, real estate, retail, manufacturing companies, professional services firms (mainly law firms and marketing services), marketing/advertising agencies, dental practices, medical practices, and various other industries, providing each with the specific financial guidance needed to establish sustained business growth and financial health.

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Joseph C. Skalski, CPA, JD of Dunwoody, Georgia is the owner and operator of the Skalski Law Firm, LLC, and the President of Asset Strategists, LLC, where he serves private clients in the following ways:

• Advising on sophisticated real estate transactions, including forward and reverse 1031 exchanges, land conservation, charitable contributions of real estate, capital gain structuring, and loan forgiveness issues
• Counseling with respect to utilization of income tax reduction techniques
• Optimizing entity structures and interrelationships with respect to corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, trusts, and available tax elections
• Planning for estate and business succession in a manner that minimizes transfer taxes and protects assets against waste while maintaining peace in the family
• Helping with formation and maintenance of tax exempt entities such as family foundations and other not-for-profits
• Advocating for clients who encounter Internal Revenue Service challenges to their tax return positions by employing suitable tax defense strategies
Joe is a Certified Public Accountant, Georgia (2004), Florida (1987) and Maryland (1984), was admitted to practice law, Georgia (2015), Florida (1989), Maryland (1984), New Jersey (1983), U.S. Tax Court (1990).

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Cheri is a seasoned, proven problem solver with a strong background in both finance and business. Cheri is especially talented in diagnosing weaknesses in processes and organizational structures — and promptly proposing solid solutions. This makes Cheri the perfect choice to lead Credo’s Operations.

Under Cheri’s leadership, Credo provides world-class delivery and service to Accounting, Business Services, Tax and CFO clients alike.  An organized and positive person, Cheri has a passion for providing clients with the information necessary to make decisions that grow their businesses.

Cheri spent more than 10 years at Wachovia Corporation (now Wells Fargo). She had roles ranging from Budget Analyst to Director of Management Reporting to Deposit Pricing Manager. There, she was recognized as a leader through multiple process redesigns saving hundreds of work hours. Using a combination of grass roots training and online tools, Cheri also streamlined the exception process resulting in growth of deposits and client base.

Later, Cheri continued to hone her financial modeling and business analysis skills at Equifax, serving as their corporate budget and forecast owner. She maintained and analyzed the three-year corporate model running multiple acquisition and decision point scenarios. Her customer service focus led her to a role supporting the marketing and legal functions where she became a trusted advisor and facilitator.

Her favorite pastime is hitting the ski slopes with her three children and loving husband.

About Our Presenter

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