The cost of programs established under Sections 49-5-101 through 49-5-119 shall be borne by any funds or property donated or granted for such purposes by any firm, person, corporation or agency of the U.S. Government and/or from such funds as may be appropriated from time to time by the Legislature; provided, further, that such funds as may be donated or granted by any firm, person, corporation or agency of the U.S. Government shall be placed in a separate fund to be known as “the endangered species protection fund” and such funds may be spent by the commission in its discretion as they become available in carrying out the provisions of Sections 49-5-101 through 49-5-119.
Provided, further, the commission may in its discretion have printed, issue and sell singly or in blocks of five annual editions of not more than five thousand (5,000) endangered species stamps for sale and voluntary purchase as a contribution at Five Dollars ($5.00) each; and funds so derived, less printing costs, shall be deposited in the endangered species fund.
Citation: Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-119.
(1) As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:...
(f) “Specified conservation purposes” mean the preservation of stream bank habitats and the stability of stream banks, or the protection of land necessary because of high biodiversity significance or high protection urgency due to the presence of exemplary natural communities or species of special concern, including threatened or endangered species.
(2) For the taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2003, for any income taxpayer who is an eligible owner, a credit against the taxes imposed by this chapter shall be allowed in the amounts provided in this section upon the donation of land or an interest in land for specified conservation purposes.
(3) The credit provided for in this section shall be fifty percent (50%) of the allowable transaction costs involved in the donation for the tax year in which the allowable transaction costs occur. The aggregate amount of the credit provided in this section for allowable transaction costs shall not exceed the lesser of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or the amount of tax imposed upon the taxpayer for the taxable year reduced by the sum of all other credits allowable to such taxpayer under this chapter, except credit for tax payments made by or on behalf of the taxpayer. Any unused portion of the credit may be carried forward for ten (10) succeeding tax years. The maximum dollar amount of the credit provided for in this section that an eligible owner may utilize during his lifetime shall be Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) in the aggregate.
(4) To be eligible for the credit provided for in this section, an eligible owner must demonstrate that the donation qualifies as a conservation contribution under Section 170(h) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, by means of being a donation in perpetuity, for conservation purposes and made to a qualified holder or donee. A letter from the donee indicating acceptance and a completed copy of the appropriate United States Internal Revenue Service form shall constitute proof of acceptance. The eligible owner also must submit any other documentation that the State Tax Commission may require.
Citation: Miss. Code Ann. § 27-7-22.21.
(1) The Chairman of the State Tax Commission shall determine annually the total amount designated by individuals to be paid to the fund, along with all interest earned thereon, and shall report such amount to the State Treasurer who shall pay such amount into the “Wildlife Heritage Fund,” established in Section 49-5-77.
(2) The Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may expend such monies deposited into the fund pursuant to subsection (1) of this section only to implement the “Mississippi Natural Heritage Law of 1978,” Sections 49-5-141 through 49-5-157, Mississippi Code of 1972, by providing for the protection and management of nongame species, threatened or endangered wildlife or plants, and unique geological formations such as waterfalls, caves and canyons, and by purchasing, leasing, registering, dedicating and maintaining natural areas.
Citation: Miss. Code Ann. § 27-7-93.