Working Lands Initiative

Farmland Preservation Tax Credits

The Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative provides participating landowners with an opportunity to claim farmland preservation tax credits. The tax credits are income tax credits that are applied against tax liability.

Tax credit amounts are:

• $5.00 for farmers with a farmland preservation agreement signed after July 1, 2009 and located in an agricultural enterprise area
• $7.50 for farmers in an area zoned for farmland preservation
• $10.00 for farmers in an area zoned and certified for farmland preservation and in an agricultural enterprise area, with a farmland preservation agreement signed after July 1, 2009

Landowners must be residents of Wisconsin and must meet other eligibility criteria to claim the credit, including compliance with state soil and water conservation standards. More information about eligibility and program participation can be found by clicking the link below.

• New! Tax Preparers: Information Sheet on Farmland Preservation Tax Credit Changes - 3 page PDF
  Those preparing taxes for farmers for the 2011 tax year should be aware of farmland preservation tax changes due to the Working Lands Initiative. 
  
• Updated! Farmland Preservation Tax Credit Information Sheet (12/11) - 2 page PDF

Contact DATCPWorkingLands@wisconsin.gov with questions.