(a) There shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by Chapters 11 and 19 of this title, an amount equal to 40% of the fair market value of any land or interest in land located in Delaware that is conveyed for the purpose of open space, natural resource and/or biodiversity conservation or historic preservation as an unconditional donation in perpetuity by the landowner/taxpayer to a public or private conservation agency eligible to hold such land and interests therein for conservation or preservation purposes. The fair market value of qualified donations made under this chapter shall be substantiated by a “qualified appraisal” prepared by a “qualified appraiser,” as those terms are defined under applicable federal law and regulations governing charitable contributions.
(b) The amount of the credit that may be claimed by a taxpayer shall not exceed $50,000. In addition, in any 1 tax year the credit used may not exceed the amount of individual or corporate income tax otherwise due. Any portion of the credit that is unused in any 1 tax year may be carried over for a maximum of 5 consecutive tax years following the tax year in which the credit originated, subject to the limitations provided herein, until fully expended.
(c) Qualified donations shall include the conveyance in perpetuity of a fee interest in real property or a less-than-fee interest in real property, such as a conservation easement, pursuant to Chapter 69 of Title 7. Dedications of land for open space for the purpose of fulfilling density requirements to obtain subdivision or building permits shall not be considered as qualified donations under this chapter.
(d) Qualified donations shall be eligible for the tax credit herein described if such donations are made to the State, an instrumentality thereof or a charitable organization described in § 501(c) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. § 501] and meet the requirements of 26 U.S.C. § 170(h)(3)(A) or (B).
(e) To be eligible for treatment as qualified donations under this section, land or interests in lands must meet the requirements for land protection of the Delaware Land Protection Act as set forth in § 7503 of Title 7; or consist of lands that are natural habitat for the protection of Delaware's unique and rare biological and natural features as determined by the Department, relying on information supplied and maintained by the Delaware Natural Heritage Program; or meet the requirements for Delaware's important historic resources as determined by the Delaware Department of State, Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. The use and protection of such lands or interests therein for open space, natural area protection, biodiversity habitat conservation, historic preservation or similar use and purpose shall be assured in perpetuity.
(f) Any qualified donation made in a tax year for which the tax credit herein described is claimed by a taxpayer shall not also be eligible for treatment in the same tax year as a charitable contribution for state income tax deduction purposes in calculating Delaware income tax liability.