Welcome!
The Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation (CALT) at Iowa State University, created by the Iowa Board of Regents in 2006, provides timely, critically objective information to producers, professionals and agribusinesses concerning the application of important developments in agricultural law and taxation (federal and state legal opinions of relevance, as well as critical legislative developments), and is a primary source of professional educational training in agricultural law and taxation. CALT does not provide legal advice. Any information provided on this website is not intended to be a substitute for legal services from a competent professional. CALT's work is supported by fee-based seminars and generous private gifts. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material contained on this website do not necessarily reflect the views of Iowa State University.
Upcoming Events
2010 Summer Seminar: Farm Income Tax, Estate and Business Planning ~ June 10-11, 2010 ~ Aspen Lodge Ranch Resort and Conference Center, Estes Park, Colorado
Stay informed on our latest news, articles and events!
Ag Law and Taxation Items of Interest
No Federal Estate Tax for 2010 - What It Could Mean To You and Your Business
February 7, 2010 - The federal estate tax is not in effect (as of right now) for deaths in 2010. That has implications for current estate plans. What will the Congress do? What should they do? We have updated our technical article to include discussion of Congressional developments as of early February.
Tax Court Affirmed Again - "QFOBI" Definition Does Not Include Debt Interests"
January 30, 2009 - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has now joined the Eighth Circuit in holding that the definition of a "Qualified Family-Owned Business Interest" does not include debt interests.
Outright Gifts Are Not Present Interests if Substantial Restrictions Remain
January 30, 2009 - The Tax Court has again ruled that transfers of entity interests don't qualify for present interest annual exclusions if there are substantial restrictions on the gifted interests.
Flurry of Activity For Iowa Courts
January 10, 2010 - The Iowa Court of Appeals and Supreme Court have been busy handling numerous matters impacting agricultural producers and rural landowners. Unfortunately, they have also had to decide several cases involving family members suing each other. This time there are multiple cases involving challenges to wills on undue influence grounds, a case concerning a disqualified executor, whether farmland was a partnership asset, farm lease termination, an insurance case, a case involving condemnation of a private access route, a case concerning an abandoned railway, and a farm case involving conspiracy to defraud a bank.
Top Ten Agricultural Law and Taxation Developments of 2009
January 6, 2010 - We've made our list and checked it twice. Here are the Top Ten Ag Law and Tax Developments from 2009.
Iowa Courts Deliver Holiday "Goodies"
December 28, 2009 - The Iowa Court of Appeals and Supreme Court have been busy making their case docket list and checking it twice. This time they have issued opinions involving the Iowa notice of redemption statute, mutual mistake, self-dealing involving an estate, attorney fees in a real estate transaction, the validity of a mortgage, and contract consideration.
Massive Health Care Legislation Moves Through The Congress - Numerous Tax Provisions Included
Updated December 24, 2009 - The Congress has been "debating" health care legislation. The bills have major tax provisions contained in them. Here's a quick run-down at the present time.
Asoyia in Financial Trouble - Considerations for Contract Growers
December 24, 2009 - Asoyio, the Iowa City firm specializing in the processing of ultra-low linolenic soybeans, is in financial trouble. What does that mean for contract growers? What steps may they want to consider taking?
Court Blesses "Charitable Lid" Estate Planning Technique
December 16, 2009 - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has affirmed the Tax Court on an estate planning technique that uses formula clause language to decrease an estate's tax liability if IRS increases the taxable value on audit, and the Tax Court has followed up with the same holding in a gift tax case.
Holy Gargantuan Chiroptera Killers, Batman!
December 9, 2009 – A Federal Court has enjoined wind farm developers until receipt of an incidental take permit allowing the incidental taking of endangered Indiana bats.
Agriprocessors Bankruptcy Trustee Makes Demand on Suppliers - Are Defenses Available?
December 3, 2009 - The Agriprocessors bankruptcy trustee is seeking to recover payments made to livestock suppliers within 90 days of the bankruptcy filing. What can an affected supplier do? We've got the answers.
Iowa Court of Appeals Stays Busy - More Ag-Related Cases
November 30, 2009 - The Iowa Court of Appeals has released its most recent opinions and some of them again have importance to agricultural businesses and rural landowners. We've got the skinny on the court's opinions involving soil conservation, abandoned railroad right-of-ways, accounting for farm finances among family members and worker's compensation.
Iowa Courts Decide More Cases of Relevance to Ag and Rural Landowners
November 25, 2009 - The Iowa courts have been busy deciding more cases with application to ag producers and rural landowners. This time there's another fenceline boundary case, a lending deal involving farmland and a case with potential implications for liability of landowners for objects on their property.
Tax Extenders Act of 2009
November 23, 2009 - The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee has released the text of legislation that would extend certain tax provisions that are presently set to expire at the end of 2009. The text of the "Tax Extenders Act of 2009" can be found here.
The Zero Percent Tax Rate on Capital Gains
November 11, 2009 - 2010 is the last year for the zero percent tax rate on capital gains for lower-income individuals. Are there planning steps that can be taken to utilize it before rates go up?
Tax Provisions of the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009
November 6, 2009 – The Congress has approved legislation that expands the first-time homebuyer tax credit, and changes the net operating loss carryback rules, among other things.
County Ban On Commercial Wind Farm Development Unanimously Upheld
November 2, 2009 - A unanimous Kansas Supreme Court has upheld a county ordinance banning commercial wind farm development. See our updated technical article here.
Farm Bill Commodity Programs and Payment Limit Rules
June 6, 2008 - Updated June 19, 2008
The new Farm Bill tweaks existing commodity programs and the payment limitation rules.
