Committee hears expansion of Beginning Farmer Tax Credit to include buyers, raise cap and add limited refundability

Representative Paul Friel introduced a bill to expand the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit so it benefits both sellers and buyers in farm transitions, raises the maximum credit amount and adds limited refundability after a three‑year hold period.

Friel said the bill makes existing program rules more flexible by allowing a beginning farmer who purchases or leases (with discussion about removing lease language) to use the credit, raising the maximum credit to better match land values and extending the redemption window from one to three years so new farmers have more time to use the benefit.

Russell Redding, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Agriculture, told the committee the changes are revenue‑neutral (no increase in total tax credit authorization) and would create more flexibility…