IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
v January 21, 2013 – USDA Offices will be closed in observance Of Martin Luther King Jr Day Holiday
v January 30, 2013 – deadline to apply for ECP Fencing benefits
v March 15, 2013 – deadline to purchase 2013 NAP Coverage for hay and grazing
v June 7, 2013 – deadline to apply for 2011 SURE benefits
Farm Service Agency Conservation Loans Available
Funds are available for Guaranteed Conservation Loans. Conservation Loans allow farmers and ranchers to implement conservation practices on their land that will help protect natural resources. Guaranteed Conservation Loans are a useful alternative to help operators implement any Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) approved conservation practice including, but not limited to, waste management systems, conservation structures or water conservation measures. Unlike other FSA guaranteed loan programs, Conservation Loans are not limited to family size farms. Operators who may not normally qualify for an FSA guaranteed farm operating or ownership loan could be eligible for a Guaranteed Conservation Loan. The Guaranteed Conservation Loan limit is $1,302,000 and interest rates and terms will vary. The maximum guarantee FSA can issue is 75 percent. A streamlined application process is available for applicants with a strong financial position. The streamlined process reduces paperwork requirements and eliminates the requirement to provide a cash flow statement and supplementary documentation. Interested applicants who do not already have a conservation plan approved by NRCS should work with their local NRCS staff to develop a conservation plan. As with other guarantees, lenders can reduce risk, increase liquidity and offer lower rates by selling the guaranteed portion in the secondary market.
For questions regarding Guaranteed Conservation Loans, please contact your lender or your local County FSA Office.
IRS Reporting Changes to IRS Form 1099-G and 1099-MISC
The Farm Service Agency has implemented some changes regarding issuing IRS Form 1099-G and 1099-MISC for payments issued in 2012. FSA will no longer issue IRS Form 1099-G and/or 1099-MISC if a producer’s total reportable payments are less than $600. In addition, FSA will only issue one IRS Form 1099-G and/or 1099-MISC for producers participating in multiple counties. Producers receiving reportable payments that total $600 or more before withholdings were applied are still being issued an IRS Form 1099-G and/or 1099-MISC.
The changes to the report of payments on the IRS Form 1099-G and 1099-MISC are according to the Internal Revenue Code.
Producers who have questions about 2012 payments and/or refunds should contact their local FSA Office. Any FSA office can perform a search of all payments and refunds using a Tax I.D. Number through their Financial Inquiries software.
If you have any questions please contact the Dawes/N Sioux County FSA Office in Chadron 432-4616 ext. 2, the Sheridan County FSA Office in Rushville 327-2489 ext. 2, or the Box Butte County FSA Office in Alliance 762-4322 ext. 2
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.