USDA to Partner with IRS to Reduce Fraud

USAgNet reports that USDA is partnering with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to reduce fraud in farm programs and streamline payment limits for family farmers. The Department says the actions are intended to strengthen the integrity and defensibility of USDA farm safety net programs and help the agricultural industry to meet requirements included in the 2008 Farm Bill.

As part of the announcement, USDA has finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with the IRS to establish an electronic information exchange process for verifying compliance with the adjusted gross income provisions for programs administered by USDA’s FSA and Natural Resources Conservation Service. This agreement, the USDA said, will ensure that payments are not issued to producers whose adjusted gross income exceeds certain limits.