SELLERS

  • Turn credits into cash

  • Convert a depreciating asset into an investment

  • Reduce the cost of your conservation gift

When you donate land or an easement, or sell your property for less than fair market value for conservation purposes, you may be eligible for a South Carolina income tax credit for 25% of the value of the donation up to $250 per acre. You can use the credits to the extent of your tax liability up to $52,500 per year, and carry forward, gift or sell any remaining credits.

Since your qualified gift is deductible at the federal and state levels, you may not have the tax liability to benefit from the credits on your personal tax returns. The SC Conservation Credit Exchange finds qualified buyers for your credits by educating taxpayers and their financial advisors about the benefits of conservation tax credits. We develop demand for the credits to build a higher cash value for you. A year-round market exists for the credits, so you do not have to wait until year-end to sell your credits.

To begin the process, give us a call or submit your request here. You pay no upfront fees. We deduct a 5% transaction fee from the buyer at the time of closing.

Six reasons conservation tax credit holders work with us:

Focus – We are the only organization chartered for the sole purpose of making a market in South Carolina Conservation Tax Credits. The Exchange was created with you and your needs – conversion of credits to cash – in mind.

Competitive Price – The Conservation Credit Exchange works to find buyers for your credits. We educate potential buyers and their financial advisors about the benefits of buying credits to offset tax liability.

Professional Assistance – Unlike other states that currently allow the transfer of conservation tax credits, South Carolina requires not only notification to the state but also approval of the transfer before you can proceed. We will work through the South Carolina Department of Revenue process to obtain approval.

Value – We are your one-stop-shop for transferring your conservation credits. We ensure that you meet all of the steps necessary to complete the transaction. We help you gather the information necessary to sell your credits using simple forms; we review your credits to see if they meet our rigorous standards; we bring you a pre-qualified buyer; we work with the Department of Revenue to gain approval; we deliver your payment promptly.  That’s making a very complex process user-friendly. In short, we do most of the work for you.

Credibility – While no organization can guarantee that the IRS won’t challenge the value of your deduction, we add vast experience and understanding about conservation easements, land trusts and tax rules. Our added level of review and credibility offers a higher degree of confidence to you – and to others – that your easement is both in keeping with the IRS and South Carolina tax code and is appropriately valued.

Commitment – Finally, we share similar interests. You provided a land or conservation easement donation not for the tax gains alone, but also because you care about your land and want to see it protected in perpetuity. We believe in the same goals.

Seller Steps for Consideration of Transfer of Tax Credits

Step 1: Call us and we will be glad to walk you through the steps.
 704-975-3016 or email us:

SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST

Step 2: EMAIL or MAIL copies of your appraisal, Form 8283, gift acknowledgement letter and SC Schedule TC-19.

Step 3: We will contact you to discuss your sale.

Step 4: We will assign your credits to a buyer and send you the sale documents.  Once you have returned the sale documents to us, you can expect to receive your payment in about 2 weeks.