Section 180 Works Best When Your CPA Is Part of the Team

One of the biggest misconceptions about the Section 180 soil fertility deduction is that hiring a soil fertility specialist somehow replaces your CPA.

It doesn’t.

At Soil Tax Guys, we believe the best client outcomes happen when everyone works together.

Our role is to provide the agronomic expertise and support the deduction with a credible soil fertility analysis. Your CPA’s role is to determine how that deduction integrates into your overall tax strategy, including whether to claim it in the year of purchase, spread it over multiple years, or coordinate it with other deductions and income.

Neither role replaces the other. They complement each other.

Our Role: Agronomic Analysis

Section 180 begins with understanding the value of the fertilizer and soil amendments that already exist in the soil when agricultural land is purchased.

That’s where we come in.

Our team focuses on:

• Soil sampling or reviewing client-provided soil tests
• Evaluating soil fertility levels
• Estimating the value of excess soil fertility
• Preparing a detailed Opinion of Value Report supported by agronomic data

We don’t prepare tax returns.

We don’t provide legal advice.

We don’t decide how much of the deduction you should claim in a given year.

Our expertise is agronomy.

Your CPA’s Role

Your accountant understands your complete financial picture.

They know your taxable income, other deductions, business structure, carryforwards, and long-term planning goals.

Using the information we provide, your CPA can determine the strategy that makes the most sense for your situation.

For example, many of our clients choose to spread their Section 180 deduction over several tax years rather than using it all immediately. Others benefit from claiming the deduction more quickly.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.

That’s why your CPA’s guidance is so important.

Why Collaboration Produces Better Results

The strongest Section 180 projects happen when communication starts early.

When Soil Tax Guys and your CPA work together before tax filing deadlines, everyone has the information they need to make informed decisions.

That collaboration often leads to:

• Better tax planning
• Fewer surprises during tax season
• Proper documentation
• More efficient preparation of tax returns
• Greater confidence in the overall process

Most importantly, it helps ensure the deduction is implemented as part of a broader tax strategy instead of being viewed in isolation.

We Welcome Conversations With Your CPA

If your accountant has questions about our methodology, we’re happy to discuss the agronomic side of the report.

We believe transparency builds confidence.

Our goal isn’t to replace your trusted advisors.

Our goal is to give them high-quality agronomic information they can use when advising you.

Section 180 Is a Team Effort

The most successful farmland buyers don’t work with one advisor.

They build a team.

Your real estate broker helps you find the property.

Your lender helps finance it.

Your attorney helps protect the transaction.

Your CPA develops the tax strategy.

Soil Tax Guys provides the agronomic analysis that supports the Section 180 soil fertility deduction.

When every professional contributes their expertise, the client receives the best possible outcome.

That’s exactly how we believe Section 180 should work.

Alec Bean

Alec Bean is the CEO of Soil Tax Guys, he is a Certified Crop Advisor and has spent his entire career in Agronomic Consulting relating to soil fertility. He can be reached at [email protected] to discuss how Soil Fertility Tax Deductions fit into your land buying strategy.