Freeborn County USDA Farm Service Agency Executive Director Lee Crawford reminds producers that they must submit an Adjusted Gross Income verification consent form (CCC-927 or CCC-928) to the IRS as soon as possible in order to maintain eligibility for 2009 and 2010 program benefits.

The consent form authorizes IRS to verify for FSA whether a payment recipient’s AGI meets the eligibility requirements for FSA programs. The form became a requirement for payment eligibility beginning with the 2009 crop year, however many program participants have not yet submitted this form for 2009 and 2010 program benefits.

“Producers who fail to file these forms before September 2011 will receive a notice from the FSA National Office stating that the producer is ineligible for 2009 and/or 2010 payments,” said Crawford. “The producer will be responsible for fully refunding all 2009 and 2010 payments received, plus interest, under programs subject to AGI limitations.”

IRS requires written consent from all individuals or legal entities before verification of the average AGI can be provided to USDA. Individuals must submit form CCC-927 and legal entities must submit form CCC-928. Without these forms on file, eligible producers will not receive USDA program payments.

Crawford further clarifies that these consent forms are required for payments received from the Natural Resources Conservation Service as well as those received through FSA. Completed forms must be returned to the IRS.

For more information on AGI eligibility requirements or the AGI verification process, contact the Freeborn County FSA office at 507-373-7960.