Conservation easements have a legitimate place in tax and estate planning, but for years promoters have been packaging them into abusive investment schemes that have drawn IRS enforcement. If you’ve been approached with one of these arrangements, or if you’ve already participated in a prior year, the consequences of getting this wrong include disallowed deductions, steep penalties, and in serious cases, criminal prosecution. This article breaks down how legitimate easements work, what the abusive versions look like, and what steps to take if you have questions about your situation.

Hiring family members can create real tax advantages for small business owners, but the rules depend on entity type, relationship, age, reasonable compensation, and payroll compliance. Here’s what to know before putting relatives on payroll.