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Hilltown Land Trust

Dedicated to protecting the working lands, native habitats and rural beauty of the Hilltowns since 1986

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You are here: Home / Conserving Your Land / Financial incentives for land protection

Financial incentives for land protection

Tax advantage of land protection

Donations or bargain sales of land or Conservation Restrictions offer significant income tax, estate tax and capital gains tax benefits. The amount of tax deduction depends on your income and tax situation. We encourage you to consult with your financial or tax adviser for information on the benefits to you.

Protecting your land with a Conservation Restriction usually either reduces the property tax burden on your land or causes it to remain relatively constant if your land is already enrolled in the chapter 61 program. Your town assessors will make the ultimate judgment on the tax rate for your property once protected.

Massachusetts Conservation Land Tax Credit Program

Land protected with a Conservation Restriction where the CR or the land is donated to a 501(c)3 organization can qualify for a refundable state income tax credit of half the appraised value, up to $75,000. This state tax credit is in addition to any federal tax deductions. The tax credit is awarded as a cash payment if the donor does not have sufficient state tax burden, and is available to out of state residents donating property in Massachusetts. It applies to both land and Conservation Restriction donations, as well as donations of a life estate, or a bargain sale of land. This tax credit provides an important incentive for landowners who are willing to protect their land. The Conservation Land Tax Credit program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and annual funding for the program is capped at $2 million. More information is available in this summary sheet or at the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

More information about conserving your land and the advantages of conservation can be found on the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition’s Resources for Landowners page.

Events Calendar

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1:00 PM - Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
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1:00 PM - Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
6:00 PM - Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
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2:00 PM - Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
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12:00 AM - Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
Apr 27th, 2025    
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Clary Hill
  • Family Fun
  • Hike
**RESCHEDULED TO SUN. APRIL 27TH DUE TO WEATHER** Celebrate the opening of HLT’s newest trails at Clary Hill with a 2-mile hike! Explore the meadow, [...]
More Info
Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
May 8th, 2025    
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Workshop
“Forest resilience” is a big buzzword right now, especially in the face of climate change. But what does a resilient forest – or farm or [...]
More Info
Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
May 8th, 2025    
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • Partnership Event
  • Webinar
Do you have a disability, have a loved one with a disability, or advocate for accessible outdoor spaces? Our state partners invite you to join [...]
More Info
Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
May 27th, 2025    
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Workshop
“Forest resilience” is a big buzzword right now, especially in the face of climate change. But what does a resilient forest – or farm or [...]
More Info
Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
May 31st, 2025 - Jun 1st, 2025    
All Day
  • Partnership Event
  • Race
Join Hilltown Land Trust and Beast Coast Trail Running for the sixth-annual Chesterfield Gorge Ultra and 25k Race, including the only 100 mile race in [...]
More Info
Events on Apr 27th, 2025
Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
27 Apr 25
Goshen
Events on May 8th, 2025
Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
8 May 25
Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
8 May 25
Events on May 27th, 2025
Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
27 May 25
Events on May 31st, 2025
Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
31 May 25
  • About
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    • Staff and TerraCorps members
    • Affiliation with The Trustees
    • Announcements
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    • Contact
    • Open Positions
  • Land Protection
    • Conservation Restrictions
    • Agricultural Preservation Restrictions
    • Financial Incentives
    • Donating or Selling Land
    • Estate Planning
    • Landowner & Town Resources
  • Properties
    • Trails & Maps
      • Big View Trail
      • Bradley
      • Breckenridge
      • Clary Hill
      • Conwell
      • Hilltown Boulders
      • Historic Dam Trail
      • Locke’s Loop Trail
      • Robert’s Meadow Brook Trail
      • Round Top Hill
      • Stevens
      • Two Mamas Farm Waterfall Trail
    • Land Stewardship
    • Conservation Stories
  • Get Involved
    • Events
    • Volunteer
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    • Support
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© 2025 Hilltown Land Trust | Hilltown Land is a 501c3 nonprofit organization | Est. 1986