NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — One of the biggest threats to farm succession is the federal estate, or “death,” tax. Without recent changes, many family operations — like renowned California rancher Kevin Kester’s Bear Valley Ranch — would have faced significant tax burdens when passing land and equipment to the next generation.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, which passed in July, permanently increased the unified credit to $15 million per individual beginning in 2026, indexed to inflation. That compares with approximately $7 million under the prior law, a level that could have compelled many farm families to sell assets to pay their tax bills.
National Agricultural Law Center senior staff attorney Rusty Rumley says the higher credit and portability provisions for married couples mean most farms will avoid immediate estate tax exposure. Still, he warns that succession planning remains a larger concern. Sudden illness or death of a farm operator can leave successors unprepared, and a lack of planning can fracture families or force financial hardship.
Tony’s Farm-Level Takeaway: Estate tax relief reduces pressure, but succession planning remains the critical challenge for farm families.
What can these facilities do to protect themselves? I wrote about this issue last spring, and since that time, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has issued a significant opinion. That makes an update in order.
February 28, 2024 11:04 AM
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Updated Dicamba information is the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV’s agri-legal expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law.
February 27, 2024 11:19 AM
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On January 31, the U.S. House overwhelmingly passed tax legislation containing provisions of importance to farmers and ranchers in particular and many taxpayers in general.
February 26, 2024 02:49 PM
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In this Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV legal expert Roger McEowen, he looks ahead at what might be the biggest issues in ag law and tax in 2024.
February 23, 2024 01:50 PM
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In part seven of his blog series,"Top 10 Developments in Ag Law and Tax in 2023,” agri-legal expert Roger McEowen covers the #1 issues, SCOTUS and defining a “Water of the United States.”
February 22, 2024 01:15 PM
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In part six of his blog series,"Top 10 Developments in Ag Law and Tax in 2023,” farm legal expert Roger McEowen tackles issue #2, foreign ownership of ag land.
February 02, 2024 08:00 AM
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