7 U.S.C. § 1308–3a (AGRICULTURE)
§ 1308–3a. Adjusted gross income limitation
(a) Definitions
(1) Average adjusted gross income
In this section, the term “average adjusted gross income”, with respect to a person or legal entity, means the average of the adjusted gross income or comparable measure of the person or legal entity over the 3 taxable years preceding the most immediately preceding complete taxable year, as determined by the Secretary.
(2) Special rules for certain persons and legal entities
In the case of a legal entity that is not required to file a Federal income tax return or a person or legal entity that did not have taxable income in 1 or more of the taxable years used to determine the average under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide, by regulation, a method for determining the average adjusted gross income of the person or legal entity for purposes of this section.
(3) Allocation of income
On the request of any person filing a joint tax return, the Secretary shall provide for the allocation of average adjusted gross income among the persons filing the return if—
(A) the person provides a certified statement by a certified public accountant or attorney that specifies the method by which the average adjusted gross income would have been declared and reported had the persons filed 2 separate returns; and
(B) the Secretary determines that the method described in the statement is consistent with the information supporting the filed joint tax return.
(b) Limitations on commodity and conservation programs
(1) Limitation
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), a person or legal entity shall not be eligible to receive any benefit described in paragraph (2) during a crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, if the average adjusted gross income of the person or legal entity exceeds $900,000.
(2) Covered benefits
Paragraph (1) applies with respect to the following:
(A) A payment or benefit under subtitle A or E of title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [7 U.S.C. 9011 et seq., 9081].
(B) A marketing loan gain or loan deficiency payment under subtitle B of title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [7 U.S.C. 9031 et seq.].
(C) Starting with fiscal year 2015, a payment or benefit under title II of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, title II of the Agricultural Act of 2014, title II of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, title II of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, or title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 [16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.].
(D) A payment or benefit under section 1524(b) of this title.
(E) A payment or benefit under section 7333 of this title.
(3) Waiver
The Secretary may waive the limitation established by paragraph (1) with respect to a payment pursuant to a covered benefit described in paragraph (2)(C), on a case-by-case basis, if the Secretary determines that environmentally sensitive land of special significance would be protected as a result of such waiver.
(4) Exception for certain operations
(A) Definitions
In this paragraph:
(i) Excepted payment or benefit
The term “excepted payment or benefit” means—
(I) a payment or benefit under subtitle E of title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081 et seq.);
(II) a payment or benefit under section 7333 of this title; and
(III) a payment or benefit described in paragraph (2)(C) received on or after October 1, 2024.
(ii) Farming, ranching, or silviculture activities
The term “farming, ranching, or silviculture activities” includes agri-tourism, direct-to-consumer marketing of agricultural products, the sale of agricultural equipment owned by the person or legal entity, and other agriculture-related activities, as determined by the Secretary.
(B) Exception
In the case of an excepted payment or benefit, the limitation established by paragraph (1) shall not apply to a person or legal entity during a crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, if greater than or equal to 75 percent of the average gross income of the person or legal entity derives from farming, ranching, or silviculture activities.
(c) Enforcement
(1) In general
To comply with subsection (b), at least once every 3 years a person or legal entity shall provide to the Secretary—
(A) a certification by a certified public accountant or another third party that is acceptable to the Secretary that the average adjusted gross income of the person or legal entity does not exceed the applicable limitation specified in that subsection; or
(B) information and documentation regarding the average adjusted gross income of the person or legal entity through other procedures established by the Secretary.
(2) Denial of program benefits
If the Secretary determines that a person or legal entity has failed to comply with this section, the Secretary shall deny the issuance of applicable payments and benefits specified in subsection (b)(2) to the person or legal entity, under similar terms and conditions as described in section 1308–2 of this title.
(3) Audit
The Secretary shall establish statistically valid procedures under which the Secretary shall conduct targeted audits of such persons or legal entities as the Secretary determines are most likely to exceed the limitations under subsection (b).
(d) Commensurate reduction
In the case of a payment or benefit described in subsection (b)(2) made in a crop, program, or fiscal year, as appropriate, to an entity, the amount of the payment or benefit shall be reduced by an amount that is commensurate with the direct and indirect ownership interest in the entity of each person who has an average adjusted gross income in excess of the applicable limitation specified in subsection (b).
(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001D, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1604(2), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 215; amended Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1604(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1012; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1604(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1740; Pub. L. 113–79, title I, § 1605(a)–(e), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 707, 708; Pub. L. 115–334, title I, § 1704(a), (b), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4526; Pub. L. 119–21, title I, §§ 10306(e), 10308, July 4, 2025, 139 Stat. 91, 92.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: The Agricultural Act of 2014, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A) to (C), (4)(A)(i)(I), is Pub. L. 113–79, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 649. Subtitles A, B, and E of title I of the Act are classified principally to subchapter I (§ 9011 et seq.) and generally to subchapters II (§ 9031 et seq.) and IV (§ 9081), respectively, of chapter 115 of this title. Title II of the Act enacted, amended, and repealed numerous sections and provisions set out as notes in Title 16, Conservation, and Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9001 of this title and Tables.
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(C), is Pub. L. 115–334, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4490. Title II of the Act enacted, amended, and repealed numerous sections and provisions set out as notes in this title, Title 16, Conservation, Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, and Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2018 Amendment note set out under section 9001 of this title and Tables.
The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(C), is Pub. L. 107–171, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 134. Title II of the Act enacted, amended, and repealed numerous sections and provisions set out as notes in this title, Title 16, Conservation, and Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7901 of this title and Tables.
The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(C), is Pub. L. 110–246, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1651. Title II of the Act enacted, amended, and repealed numerous sections and provisions set out as notes in this title, Title 16, Conservation, and Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 8701 of this title and Tables.
The Food Security Act of 1985, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(C), is Pub. L. 99–198, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1354. Title XII of the Act is classified principally to chapter 58 (§ 3801 et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1985 Amendment note set out under section 1281 of this title and Tables.
heading: Codification
text: Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.
Section was enacted as part of the Food Security Act of 1985, and not as part of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 which comprises this chapter.
heading: Prior Provisions
text: A prior section 1001D of Pub. L. 99–198 was renumbered section 1001E and is classified to section 1308–4 of this title.
heading: Amendments
text: 2025—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 119–21, § 10308(1), substituted “paragraphs (3) and (4)” for “paragraph (3)”.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 119–21, § 10308(2), added par. (4).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 119–21, § 10306(e), struck out “, general partnership, or joint venture” after “entity” in two places.
2018—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–334, § 1704(b), inserted “subject to paragraph (3),” after “provision of law,”.
Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 115–334, § 1704(a)(1), inserted “title II of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018,” after “under”.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 115–334, § 1704(a)(2), added par. (3).
2014—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 113–79, § 1605(b), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) defined “average adjusted gross income”, “average adjusted gross farm income”, and “average adjusted gross nonfarm income”.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 113–79, § 1605(d)(1), struck out “subparagraph (A) or (B) of” after “average under” and “, the average adjusted gross farm income, and the average adjusted gross nonfarm income” after “average adjusted gross income”.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 113–79, § 1605(d)(2), struck out “, average adjusted gross farm income, and average adjusted gross nonfarm income” after “average adjusted gross income” in two places.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–79, § 1605(a), substituted “Limitations on commodity and conservation programs” for “Limitations” in heading, added pars. (1) and (2), and struck out former pars. (1) and (2), which related to commodity programs and conservation programs, respectively.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 113–79, § 1605(c), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which related to income determination.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 113–79, § 1605(d)(3)(A), struck out “, average adjusted gross farm income, and average adjusted gross nonfarm income” after “average adjusted gross income” in subpars. (A) and (B).
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 113–79, § 1605(d)(3)(B), substituted “subsection (b)(2)” for “paragraphs (1)(C) and (2)(B) of subsection (b)”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–79, § 1605(d)(4), substituted “subsection (b)(2)” for “paragraphs (1)(C) and (2)(B) of subsection (b)” and struck out “, average adjusted gross farm income, or average adjusted gross nonfarm income” after “average adjusted gross income”.
Pub. L. 113–79, § 1605(c)(2), redesignated subsec. (e) as (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (c).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–79, § 1605(e), struck out subsec. (e). Text read as follows: “This section shall apply only during the 2009 through 2012 crop, program, or fiscal years, as appropriate.”
Pub. L. 113–79, § 1605(c)(2), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (d).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–79, § 1605(c)(2), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e).
2008—Pub. L. 110–246, § 1604(a), amended section generally, substituting subsecs. (a) to (f) for former provisions which related to: in subsec. (a), definition of “average adjusted gross income”; in subsec. (b), limitation on benefits if average adjusted gross income exceeded $2,500,000; in subsec. (c), certification that average adjusted gross income did not exceed limitation; in subsec. (d), reduction of benefits commensurate with ownership interest; and in subsec. (e), applicability of section during 2003 through 2007 crop years.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
text: Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title.
heading: Transition Provisions
text: Pub. L. 115–334, title I, § 1704(c), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4526, provided that: “Section 1001D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–3a), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2018], shall apply with respect to the 2018 crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, for each program described in subsection (b)(2) of that section (as so in effect on that day).”
Pub. L. 113–79, title I, § 1605(g), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 708, provided that: “Section 1001D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–3a), as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Feb. 7, 2014], shall apply with respect to the 2013 crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, for each program described in paragraphs (1)(C) and (2)(B) of subsection (b) of that section (as so in effect on that day).”
Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1604(b), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1016, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1604(b), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1744, provided that: “Section 1001D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–3a), as in effect on September 30, 2007, shall apply with respect to the 2007 and 2008 crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, for each program described in paragraphs (1)(C) and (2)(B) of subsection (b) of that section (as amended by subsection (a)).”
[Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical provisions. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of this title.]