A recent IRS press release announced a significant increase in enforcement actions focused on syndicated conservation easement transactions. The IRS announced that these transactions are a “priority compliance area for the agency.” The enforcement actions are directed as “coordinated examinations” across various divisions of the IRS.
The Criminal Investigation Division has initiated separate investigations as well. All told, the investigations and audits cover billions of dollars of deductions that the government believes may have been inflated, including thousands of investors and hundreds of partnerships. The IRS has indicated that it believes many syndicated conservation easements fail to comply with the basic requirements necessary to claim a charitable deduction for a donated easement.
The IRS Commissioner issued a clear warning: “We will not stop in our pursuit of everyone involved in the creation, marketing, promotion and wrongful acquisition of artificial, highly inflated deductions based on these aggressive transactions. Every available enforcement option will be considered, including civil penalties and, where appropriate, criminal investigations that could lead to a criminal prosecution, our innovation labs are continually developing new, more extensive enforcement tools that employ advanced techniques. If you engaged in any questionable syndicated conservation easement transaction, you should immediately consult an independent, competent tax advisor to consider your best available options. It is always worthwhile to take advantage of various methods of getting back into compliance by correcting your tax returns before you hear from the IRS. Our continued use of ever-changing technologies would suggest that waiting is not a viable option for most taxpayers.”
The IRS has announced that it is investigating appraisers, tax return preparers, promoters, and other professionals involved in syndicated conservation easements. Taxpayers and professionals may be subject to penalties for gross and substantial valuation misstatements attributable to incorrect appraisals, penalties for promoting abusive tax shelters, and penalties for understatement of liability.
The Dirty Dozen and DOJ Complaint
There are currently more than 80 conservation easement cases pending in Tax Court, and the IRS has publicly committed to pursuing more conservation easement cases. Taxpayers and professionals who have engaged in aggressive syndicated conservation easement transactions should consult an independent, competent tax advisor to consider their available options to decrease civil or criminal exposure.
The IRS has warned taxpayers of abusive tax avoidance schemes and those individuals who are engaged in promoting them. There are three primary variations of abusive conservation easement schemes – abusive syndicated conservation easements, abusive trusts, and abusive micro-captive insurance shelters. These schemes are featured in the IRS’s Dirty Dozen list.
Last year, the Department of Justice filed a complaint to stop individuals from selling, promoting, or organizing “allegedly abusive syndicated conservation easement transactions.”
In conjunction with the DOJ’s enforcement actives, the Tax Division’s Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General warned, “The Department of Justice is working with our partners in the Internal Revenue Service to shut down fraudulent conservation easement shelters, which in this case were based on willfully false valuations, individuals investing in these schemes with benefits that seem too good to be true should ensure they are paying their proper federal income tax liability.”
In light of the government’s aggressive enforcement action, taxpayers and professionals involved with syndicated conservation easements and related tax benefits should consult a qualified tax attorney.
Conservation Easement Defense Attorneys
Need help with conservation easement issues? Contact us as soon as possible to discuss your rights and the ways we can assist in your defense. We handle all types of cases, including complex syndicated conservation easements. Schedule a consultation or call (214) 984-3000 to discuss your concerns or questions.
