Add Number Fields Legal South Carolina Farm Operations Forms For Free

In the eyes of the IRS, a small farm must be actively cultivating, operating, or managing land for profit. That could include livestock, poultry, dairy, fish, vegetables, or fruit.

Another question that frequently comes up in this discussion is “how big does my farm have to be to be considered a farm?” Since property taxes are handled at the local level rather than the federal level, the answer will vary from state to state. Generally speaking, there is no minimum acreage for farm tax exemption.

As a beginning farmer you will need a federal tax ID number , also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN is used to identify a business entity, hire employees, apply for business licenses, permits, and more. The EIN is necessary for reporting to the IRS.

Here's how it translates into everyday language. First, the farm must consist of a minimum of 15 acres of land which is actively being used for agricultural purposes. That would include growing crops, plants, flowers, livestock…even fish.

With a farm number you can apply for FSA farm loans, disaster assistance, and crop insurance as well as for conservation programs through NRCS. You will also be able to elect FSA officials to help prioritize programs in your county. If you purchased land, it might already be established with FSA and have a farm number.

USDA defines a farm as any place that produced and sold—or normally would have produced and sold—at least $1,000 of agricultural products during a given year. USDA uses acres of crops and head of livestock to determine if a place with sales less than $1,000 could normally produce and sell at least that amount.

For tracts not used to grow timber, the tract must be ten acres or more. Non-timberland tracts of less than ten acres which are contiguous to other such tracts which, when added together, meet the minimum acreage requirements, are treated as a qualifying tract.

South Carolina's right-to-farm legislation was enacted in 1980 and can be found in the Code of Laws of South Carolina at Sections 46-45-10 – 46-45-80. South Carolina defines “agricultural operations” to include the breeding, hatching, raising, producing, feeding, keeping, slaughtering, or processing of aquatic animals.

Animals such as dogs, cats, reptiles, fowls (excepts baby chicks and poults), minnows, worms, fish (excepts those cultivated for human consumption), and animals of a wild nature are not considered livestock.