§ 10-723. Preservation and conservation easements.

(a)  Credit authorized.-

(1) An individual may claim a credit against the State income tax as provided in this section for an easement conveyed to the Maryland Environmental Trust or the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation for the purpose of preserving open space, natural resources, agriculture, forest land, watersheds, significant ecosystems, viewsheds, or historic properties, if: 

(i) the easement is perpetual; and 

(ii) the easement is accepted and approved by the Board of Public Works. 

(2) Subject to subsection (c) (2) of this section, the credit under this section shall be allowed for the taxable year in which the donation is approved by the Board of Public Works. 

(b)  Amount of credit.-

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the amount of the credit allowed under this section is the amount by which the fair market value of the property before the conveyance of the easement exceeds the fair market value of the property after the conveyance of the easement. 

(2) The fair market value of the property before and after the conveyance of the easement shall be substantiated by an appraisal prepared by a certified real estate appraiser, as defined under § 16-101 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article. 

(3) The amount of the credit shall be reduced by the amount of any payment received for the easement. 

(c)  Credit limitation.-

(1) For any taxable year, the credit allowed under this section may not exceed the lesser of: 

(i) the State income tax for that taxable year; or 

(ii) $5,000. 

(2) If the credit otherwise allowable under subsection (b) of this section exceeds the limit under paragraph (1) of this subsection, an individual may apply the excess as a credit against the State income tax for succeeding taxable years until the earlier of: 

(i) the full amount of the excess is used; or 

(ii) the expiration of the 15th taxable year after the taxable year in which the donation was approved by the Board of Public Works. 

(3) For each taxable year, the amount carried forward to the taxable year under paragraph (2) of this subsection may not exceed the limit under paragraph (1) of this subsection. 

(d)  Exception.- The credit under this section may not be claimed for a required dedication of open space for the purpose of fulfilling density requirements to obtain a subdivision or building permit. 

[2001, ch. 676.]