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
ASFMRA’s Howard Halderman gives an update on Corn Belt farmland values, buyer activity, and what to expect for the rest of 2026 as geopolitical tensions and bridge payments move
Farmers this year will finally be able to update their base acres with the USDA, something that experts warn must be done with complete accuracy.
Faster approvals could speed projects, but may face scrutiny.
Seth Tucker of Tucker Farms, a first-generation Arkansas farmer, says rising input costs are forcing changes to his operation, including stepping away from rice this season.
Local groups distribute potatoes to support hundreds of families across the Idaho Panhandle to celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month.
Dr. Michael Langemeier with Purdue University provided perspective on the improving farmer sentiment and the trends shaping the agricultural economy moving forward.

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:

Georgia Farm Bureau event focuses on leadership, connection, and opportunities in agriculture
Event brings livestock competition into downtown setting
The Official Texas Longhorn Herd works to preserve one of the nation’s oldest cattle breeds, and considered a living symbol of American cattle history.
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture students traveled to Italy to study Roman and medieval construction, gaining a unique global educational experience.
Funds will support student programs and leadership opportunities across the National FFA Organization. The next Give FFA Day is scheduled for February 25, 2027.
A Nebraska rancher says his land may not support cattle this year after 2,000 acres were burned in recent devastating wildfires across the state.