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.
The modest cut should slightly reduce borrowing costs on operating loans, land notes, and equipment financing for agriculture, giving some relief to producers under heavy debt loads.
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How many burgers could you buy instead of a house?
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The Interior Department is proposing to repeal the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule. This move would make huge strides to empower local decision-making and restore balance between conservation and protecting rural livelihoods tied to these public lands.
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