Georgia landowner claimed $23m tax break; court backs $480,000 valuation

A Georgia landowner claimed a $23 million charitable tax deduction after donating a 103-acre conservation easement, arguing the property could have been used as an aggregate quarry. The US Tax Court rejected the proposed quarry use, valuing the easement at $480,000. The 11th Circuit upheld the valuation and a 40% gross valuation misstatement penalty.