Rural Money: New Rule Lets Farm Families Spread Out Taxes on Farmland Sales

Paul Neiffer outlines the requirements and when the change takes effect

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI (RFD News) — Farmers selling farmland may now be able to spread out their tax payments over several years under a new provision. However, there are a few requirements.

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer says the land must have been actively farmed for at least 10 years before it is sold. It also has to stay in farming for 10 years after the sale, with that agreement recorded with the property.

He says the full income from the sale is still reported right away, but the taxes don’t all have to be paid at once.

Instead, 25 percent of the tax is due April 15 after the sale, with the rest paid over the next three years.

There’s also some confusion around timing.

While the rule applies to sales after July 4, 2025, it applies only to tax years that begin after that date. For most farmers, that means it won’t apply until the 2026 tax year.

Neiffer says the benefit depends on interest rates, but spreading out payments could help lower the overall tax burden.

Related Stories
High ownership does not always translate into high output, underscoring the importance of structural differences in understanding state-level farm performance.
Benchmark machinery costs against those of similar-sized, high-performing operations to inform equipment and investment decisions.
A narrower Section 1071 rule could reduce regulatory pressure on ag lenders while keeping credit available in rural communities.
Reviewing risk management now can help dairy and livestock producers enter 2026 with clearer margins and fewer surprises.
National Land Realty’s Jeramy Stephens shares his outlook on farmland market trends, which remain under close watch as new federal assistance programs roll out — with experts analyzing potential impacts on land values, buying, and stability.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer outlines the key difference between previous ECAP payments and the Farm Bridge Assistance Program.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Arbor Day event launches statewide effort led by 4-H and FFA
Feed demand and premiums drive growth for the crop
Record auction prices accompany more than $1.4 million in scholarships for young exhibitors in Mississippi.
Smoke in Chimneys hatchery’s partnership with a local restaurant is help bring farm-raised fish to the table in Roanoke.
Tasting events in Ghana highlight potential for new export markets
U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman and U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin meet with Ohio farmers to discuss E15 expansion, rising input costs, trade concerns, and the need to move forward on a new farm bill.