Last summer, the USDA published in the Federal Register a Notice of Determination by the Secretary that all payments under the Conservation Security Program paid to farmers could be eligible to be excluded from income. Unfortunately, that statement is very misleading. To be excluded from income, the payments must be for a capital improvement. Cost-share payments for the adoption or maintenance of management or vegetative practices are not excludible from income. Similarly, payments for "existing practice," "new practice," or "enhancement activity" are not necessarily excludible from income. Instead, those payments are likely to be reported as ordinary income except, of course, to the extent the payments are for capital improvements.
If there are expenses associated with payments that are not excludible from income (because they are not for a capital improvement - a land-based structural practice), they might be deductible as a soil and water conservation expense if the taxpayer is engaged in farming (not a cash-rent landlord). Also, the expense might also qualify to be deducted as an ordinary farm expense.
This is becoming a critical issue this tax season. Unfortunately, the USDA Notice has created tremendous confusion over the issue.