104 Self Employed Rev 1 3 18
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DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
Page 1
REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.1 Purpose
This section describes the special policies that apply to households that have self-
employment income.
104.2 General Information
I. FSP applicants and recipients may have income from self employment. Self-
employed people can include: child or adult care providers; taxicab/Uber/Lyft drivers;
hairdressers, barbers or beauticians; handymen, odd jobs, landscapers or lawn care
providers; newspaper delivery people; small business owners; farmers; fishermen or
watermen; and, craft, art, or jewelry sales people. In general, people who have
earnings from working for themselves are considered self employed. They may work
under a contract for another person or business or they may own their own
business.
Here are some ways to identify self-employment:
A. If an employer reports a person’s wages on an IRS form 1099-MISC rather than
a W-2 form, the person is almost always self employed. See Section 104.91.
If the person is employed by a company or organization as a contractor, they
should have an IRS form 1099-MISC provided by the employer showing their
“nonemployee compensation.”
The self-employed person should also file a Schedule C with their 1040,
showing their gross income from self employment in Part 1, Line 1 (or Part II,
Line 1 on the Schedule C-EZ). Schedule C is the first place you should look
for self employment income. See Section 104.92.
B. The IRS form 1099-MISC can also be used to report royalties (in box 2), which
are considered unearned income for FSP purposes.
Musicians or writers may have royalties from album or book sales.
C. If an employer does not withhold taxes and social security (FICA), the person is
considered self employed.
Some people, such as day care providers or handymen, work directly for
people who do not provide an IRS form 1099-MISC at the end of the tax year.
Often people in these jobs are paid in cash.
D. A self-employed person may file Schedule E to report income from rental real
estate, partnerships, S corporations, and also unearned income from estates,
trusts and royalties.
In a partnership, each partner must file Schedule K-1 (form 1065) to report
their income from the partnership.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
Page 2
REVISED JANUARY 2018
An S corporation must also file a Schedule K-1 (form 1120S) to report on
each shareholder’s share of income. The shareholders use the information
on the K-1 to report on their individual return Schedule E.
Trusts and estates use Schedule K-1 (form 1041) to report income to their
beneficiaries which is considered unearned income for FSP purposes.
E. The Code of Federal Regulations requires that earned income includes all wages
and salaries of an employee and the gross income from a self employment
enterprise.
Ownership of a rental property is considered self employment unless the
owner spends an average of 20 or more hours a week managing the
property, then it is considered earned income.
Payments from a roomer or boarder are also considered income from self
employment.
F. Self employed individuals may incorporate their businesses in several different
ways, among them are:
Limited Liability Company (LLC) – the least complex business structure that
protects personal assets and passes through taxes on profit (or loss) to the
owners, who report it on their individual income tax returns.
S Corporation – also protects personal assets and passes through taxes to
the owners who report their share of profit (or loss) on their individual income
tax returns.
Partnership – incorporated partnerships also protect personal assets and
pass through taxes to the partners who report their share of profit (or loss) on
their individual income tax returns.
II. To calculate self-employment income, allow a deduction of 50% from the gross
income as the cost for producing the income before applying the 20% earned
income deduction. Self-employed farmers may deduct actual losses from their gross
income rather than the 50% if the cost to produce exceeds the income from the
farm. To be considered a self-employed farmer, the farmer must have gross income
of $1,000 or more from the farm.
III. All the policies and procedures described in the general sections of this manual
apply to households with self-employed members. However, the following four
specific areas require special consideration:
A. Work Registration
B. Resources
C. Income
D. Certification Periods
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
Page 3
REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.3 Work Registration
Receiving income from self-employment does not automatically exempt a household
member from the work registration requirement. All the statutory exemptions listed in
FSP Manual Section 130.5 Work Requirements apply to self employed individuals. In
order to be exempt due to employment, a self-employed member must be:
A. Working a minimum of 30 hours weekly, or
B. Receiving earnings which, on a weekly basis, are equal to the federal minimum
wage multiplied by 30 hours (see Section 130)
C. Self employed at least 20 hours per week, averaged monthly, to meet the
ABAWD requirement.
EXAMPLE 1: A cash crop farmer who performs actual farming activity 8 months out
of the year is exempt from work registration during the other 4 months if his annual
income from farming equals the federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours when
considered on a weekly basis. In other words, annual income divided by 52 must be
at least equal to 30 times the minimum hourly wage.
EXAMPLE 2: A franchise operator hires other people to perform the actual day-to-
day operation of the business. He does not actually work at least 30 hours weekly
on the business. He does not earn enough annually to equal weekly earnings of 30
times the minimum wage. This FSP participant must register for work unless he is
otherwise exempt.
EXAMPLE 3: A tourist shop owner operates the business at least 30 hours per week
during the tourist season. The shop is closed during the off season and the owner
does not work at the business during that time. The owner is exempt from work
registration during the tourist season. However, she must be registered for work
during the off season unless:
The income earned during the tourist season is intended to provide annual
support and it equals an annual weekly amount of 30 times the federal
minimum wage; or
She qualifies for some other work registration exemption.
104.4 Resources
Exempt as a resource any monies that have been prorated as income. For example, a
cash crop farmer receives his income when he sells his crop. This income is prorated
over the year and therefore cannot be counted as a resource. Remember, resources
are not counted for categorically eligible households.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
Page 4
REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.5 Special Income Considerations
Capital Gains
Count the full amount of proceeds from the sale of capital goods or equipment as self-
employment income, even if only 50% of the proceeds from the sale is taxed for federal
income tax purposes. Add the proceeds from the sale of capital goods or equipment to
any other self-employment income and compute the total self-employment income as
described in Section 104.6.
104.6 Income Computation
Consider the following special factors when determining the gross monthly income for
self-employed households:
A. Annualizing
1. Prorate over a 12-month period self-employment income that represents a
household’s annual support, even if the income is received in only a short
period of time. For example, the self-employment income of a crop farmer
must be prorated over a 12-month period, if the income is intended to support
the farmer on an annual basis.
2. Annualize self-employment income even if the household receives income
from other sources in addition to the self-employment.
B. Averaging
1. Average over a 12-month period self-employment income received on a
regular basis (weekly, monthly, etc) that does not fluctuate greatly in amount
but which represents a household’s annual support. For example, a dairy
farmer whose annual income is derived from his business receives income
from the sale of milk on a regular basis. Convert this income to a yearly
amount and average over a 12-month period. See Section 104.891 for types
of verification.
2. Average self-employment income that is intended to meet the household’s
needs for only part of the year, over the period of time the income is intended
to cover. For example, self-employed vendors who work at this business only
in the summer and supplement their income from other sources during the
balance of the year must have their self-employment income averaged over
the summer months rather than a 12-month period.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
Page 5
REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.6 Income Computation (continued)
3. Average self-employment income over the period of time a business has
operated, if it has been in business for less than a year. Project this monthly
amount for the coming year.
4. Verify the income used for averaging using the types of verifications in section
104.891 of this manual.
C. Anticipating
Anticipate rather than average self-employment income under the following
circumstances:
1. The average amount does not accurately reflect the household’s actual
monthly circumstances because there has been a substantial increase or
decrease in business; or
2. The nature of the business is such that the receipt and amount of income
varies greatly; or
3. A business has been in operation such a short time that there is not enough
information to average earnings and project them over a yearly period.
104.7 Self Employment Earned Income Deduction
The self-employment earned income deduction is 50% of the gross receipts. Take
gross receipts from IRS form 1040 Schedule C line 1. This 50% allowance is
considered the cost to produce. The gross income test is applied after the 50%
deduction. The 20% earned income deduction is then applied to the remainder.
Example: Ms. B provides child care in her home. She provided a tax Form 1040
Schedule C (Part 1 line 1 shows annual income of $10,000). The allowable
deduction for cost-to-produce is $5,000. The countable annual income is $5,000. Ms.
B also receives a 20% earned income deduction of $1,000 for net annual income
from self-employment of $4,000.
CARES applies the 50% cost to produce and the 20% earned income deduction. If
the customer does not provide IRS 1040 Schedule C or K or IRS Form 1099 to show
business earnings, the customer must provide receipts, business ledger or statement
showing actual earnings.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
Page 6
REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.8 Self-Employed Business People
104.81 Definition of a Self-Employed Farmer
NOTE: The 50% cost-to-produce deduction does not apply to the self-
employment income of farmers, fishermen and watermen who verify a cost-to-
produce in excess of the 50% deduction. See section 104.7.
If the cost of producing self-employment farm income exceeds the gross farm
income, the losses are offset against other countable income. To qualify for this
offset, the person must receive or anticipate receiving annual gross proceeds of
$1,000 or more from the farming enterprise.
A. The case manager must first determine if the person is a self-employed farmer.
B. To be considered a self-employed farmer, the person must:
1. Earn at least $1,000 a year from the farm,
2. Be engaged in farming activity for the purpose of producing income, and
3. Have direct involvement in farming activity.
For example, a person who rents his land to another individual to raise a crop is
not a self-employed farmer if he is not directly involved in the growing or
harvesting of the crop.
C. The case manager must use his or her best judgment on a case-by-case basis to
determine if a person is a self-employed farmer or a farm employee.
D. COMAR 07.03.17.39C allows self-employed farmers to offset farm losses against
gross earnings and does not restrict them to the 50% cost to produce deduction.
104.82 Definition of a Self-Employed Business Person
A. Sole Proprietorship.
1. Self-employment income generally consists of earnings derived by an
individual as the sole proprietor of her business.
2. A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business that has no existence
apart from the owner.
3. The business liabilities are the personal liabilities of the single owner.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
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REVISED JANUARY 2018
B. Partnership.
1. There may also be some self-employment income situations that involve a
partnership.
2. There should be an oral or written agreement. Generally, a partner's share of
income, gain, loss, deductions or credits is determined by the partnership
agreement. In any matter not addressed by a written agreement, the
provisions of local law are considered to be part of the agreement.
C. Independent Contractors.
1. Other self-employment situations for FSP purposes include independent
contractors who pay expenses and persons who do not have a direct
employer/employee relationship.
2. In determining if the person is an independent contractor, the case manager
should determine if a household operates a separate (perhaps more
specialized) business than the proprietor of the main business.
3. In determining if there is an employer and employee relationship, the case
manager may consider such things as whether the person has an established
work schedule and specified wages, whether the employer withholds social
security and income taxes from earnings.
A sharecropper who pays the costs of doing business and receives a portion
of the net farm income in exchange for her labor is a self-employed farmer. A
sharecropper who does not pay the costs of doing business is not a self-
employed farmer.
D. Corporations.
1. If the household has shares in an S Corporation, the S Corporation income
reported on the household's Form 1040 must be counted as self-employment
income and annualized over a 12-month period.
2. An owner or employee of another corporation is not a self-employed
person. If the person receives a salary from the corporation, she is
considered an employee of the corporation. Shareholders who only receive
dividends are entitled to neither the costs of producing self-employment
income nor the earned income deduction. The dividends are counted as
unearned income. Corporations are separate legal entities, and the
corporation is responsible for its debts and obligations.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
Page 8
REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.83 BASIC STANDARDS
104.831 Basic Standards for Farmers
A. Self-employed farm households are subject to the same basic processing,
eligibility and allotment standards as other households. However, self-employed
farmers’ monthly net income is computed differently, changes in their farm
income are treated differently, and there is a special resource provision.
B. Non self-employed farmers are treated the same as other households that do not
have farm income, e.g., wages of a farm laborer are counted as earned income,
income from renting a farm is treated like other rental income.
C. Some farm workers are given crops at harvest time in addition to salary. If the
farm worker plans to sell the crop during the certification period in which it is
received, the money received from the sale is counted as self-employment
income. If the farm worker does not plan to sell the crop during the certification
period in which it is received, the value of the crop is counted as a resource
beginning the month in which it is received. If the household later sells a crop
that was counted as a resource, the payments received are not counted as
income. Resources are counted only for non-categorically eligible households.
D. There is a special expedited service provision for migrants and seasonal farm
worker households. (See Section 122)
E. Gross self-employment income used in the income calculation is excluded from
resources during the period of time that the income is counted.
Example: A household earned $10,000 gross self-employment income last year and
expects to earn the same amount this year. Six thousand dollars of expenses were
excluded from income to cover the costs of doing business. Four thousand dollars were
annualized and prorated as income for calendar year 2001. The household has
$11,000 in a bank account. Only $1,000 is counted as a resource during 2001 for a
non-categorically eligible household unless there are other changes. Resources are not
counted for categorically eligible households.
Prorated Income Not a Resource
Gross Farm Income in 2000 $10,000
Allowable costs -6,000
Prorated for 2001 $4,000 (no changes were anticipated)
Bank Account $11,000
Gross Farm Income - 10,000
Count as a Resource $1,000
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
Page 9
REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.832 Basic Standards for Businesses
A. The treatment of resources of a corporation varies based on the type of
corporation.
1. Profits of an S Corporation are not considered a resource essential to the
employment of a household member even if they are used to purchase more
stock in the corporation.
2. Resources of other corporations are not counted as the resources of an
individual’s household. Bank accounts that a corporation owns must be in the
corporation's name.
3. Ownership of Stock in a Corporation.
(a) If a person owns stock in a corporation, the stock is considered a resource
for a non-categorically eligible household unless it is essential to his or her
employment.
(b) If a person is employed by and owns stock in a corporation, the case
manager must determine if the stock is essential to the non-categorically
eligible person's employment.
(c) To the extent that an employee of a corporation must hold stock in the
corporation as a condition of employment, the stock is essential to the
employment of that person and not considered a resource.
(d) If ownership of the stock is not essential, the stock is considered a
resource for non-categorical households.
Example: if a farmer has incorporated his farm, he is the sole worker and all
of the corporation's assets are related to the farming operation, the farmer's
stock in the corporation is essential to his employment and excluded from
being considered a resource.
(e) Sometimes the value of shares in a corporation with only one shareholder
or just a few shareholders is not readily available. In such instances, the
case manager may subtract corporate liabilities from assets and prorate
the difference among the various shareholders based on the percentage
of shares held.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
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REVISED JANUARY 2018
(f) 104.832 Basic Standards for Businesses (continued)
B. Loans.
1. All loans, except deferred educational loans, are excluded as income.
2. Loans, other than deferred repayment educational loans, are considered a
resource for non-categorical households in the month received even if the
household anticipates spending some or all of it in the same month.
3. For an ongoing (certified) household, excess resources any time during the
month makes a non-categorically eligible household ineligible. Any amount
remaining after the month of receipt continues to be counted as a resource
until the money is spent. This includes business loans as well as personal
loans. NOTE: Almost all FSP household are categorically eligible under
expanded categorical eligibility rules.
4. Sometimes a farmer may obtain a loan, but funds can only be released by
signature of both the lender and the farmer. In such cases where the farmer
has a "line-of-credit," only the portion that is actually borrowed and held in an
account is considered a resource.
C. Payment-In-Kind (PIK) payments.
Some farm households receive Payment-In-Kind (PIK) payments. Normally
these are annualized as income. However, if the farmer indicates that he intends
to retain PIK payments for longer than a year, the payments should not be
annualized as income but considered a resource for a non-categorical household
to the extent that they will be kept longer than a year.
D. Bankruptcy.
Some farmers or businesses declare bankruptcy. If so, the case manager must
determine what resources are accessible to the non-categorically eligible
household and, if they are accessible, whether the resources can be excluded
under another provision such as being essential to self-employment if the person
is still self-employed.
E. Non-liquid assets against which a lien has been placed as a result of taking out a
business loan are excluded if the household is prohibited by the security or lien
agreement from selling the asset. Verify using loan agreement.
.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
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REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.84 Computing Income and Farm Expenses
A. Annualized With Certain Exceptions:
1. Normally self-employment income and expenses are averaged over a 12-
month period. Regardless of whether the household receives the income
monthly or less often than monthly, annualizing is done when the self-
employment represents a household's annual income. Self-employment is
annualized even if the household receives income from other sources. For
example, a man is a self-employed grain farmer. His wife is a part-time nurse
in a doctor’s office. In this case the self-employment income would be
annualized and the wife’s nursing income would be considered earned
income.
2. Normally self-employment income and expenses from the past year are
counted for the current year. However, anticipated changes, such as a
change in the type of farm operation or the amount of land farmed, crop
failure, a substantial change in market prices, etc. which would affect the net
income must be taken into account. In anticipating income, it may be helpful
to review a cash flow plan prepared by a lender such as the Farmer’s Home
Administration (FmHA), a bank, or a Federal loan bank. These plans
anticipate income and expenses. The income and expenses must be
prorated evenly over a 12-month period to determine eligibility.
For example, last year a farmer earned $10,000 and had $5,000 in expenses.
This year he inherited additional land and he expects to gross $22,000 and
have $11,000 in allowable FSP expenses. The case manager must
annualize the anticipated income of $22,000 and the anticipated expenses of
$11,000.
B. Capital Gains.
1. For FSP purposes, proceeds from the sale of capital goods or equipment are
calculated in the same manner as a capital gain for Federal income tax
purposes.
2. For Federal income tax purposes, capital gains are generally computed by
comparing the sales price to the "cost or other basis." If the sales price is
greater, there is a gain. If the costs are greater, there is a loss. The "cost or
other basis" in general is the cost of the property, purchase commissions,
improvements and sales expenses such as broker's fees and commissions
minus depreciation, amortization and depletion.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
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REVISED JANUARY 2018
3. The full amount of the capital gain, if any, is counted as income for FSP
purposes.
4. 104.84 Computing Income and Farm Expenses (continued)
5. If the self-employment was anticipated rather than averaged, any capital
gains that the household anticipates in the 12-month period starting with the
date of application must be divided by 12 and the average monthly amount
added to the anticipated monthly self-employment income. The average
monthly capital gain amount must be counted in each of the 12 months even
if more than one certification period is involved. However, a new average
must be calculated and used if the anticipated amount of capital gains
changes.
C. Allowable Expenses.
1. When a farmer verifies expenses in excess of the 50 percent deduction you
may exclude allowable costs of doing business from self-employment income
such as those listed in 3 below.
2. Self-employment income for FSP purposes is not computed the same way as
it is for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) purposes. The IRS forms may only be
used for verification purposes.
3. Allowable farming costs for FSP purposes include costs such as identifiable
costs of:
(a) Labor such as wages and salaries paid to employees. However, an
exclusion cannot be allowed for wages paid to the farmer himself or other
household members;
(b) Stock;
(c) Raw material and supplies;
(d) Seed and plants;
(e) Fertilizer and lime;
(f) The interest portion of (i) payments on business or operating loans and
(ii) payments on income-producing real estate and capital assets such as
equipment, machinery and other durable goods;
(g) Insurance premiums;
(h) Taxes paid on income-producing property;
(i) Privilege taxes such as licensing fees and gross receipts and general
excise taxes that must be paid in order to earn self-employment income;
(j) Business transportation costs such as costs of carrying grain to an
elevator, trips to obtain needed supplies, etc.;
(k) Rental payments on income-producing equipment. If a farmer is renting
equipment with an option to buy, the rent payments are allowed until the
purchase is made;
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
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(l) Costs of repairs and maintenance of equipment; and
(m) Storage and warehousing charges.
104.84 Computing Income and Farm Expenses (continued)
4. Costs are allowed when they are billed or otherwise become due. When the
income is annualized, only expenses billed or otherwise due in the current 12-
month period are allowed. Costs that were billed or otherwise became due in
a prior year which are not expected to recur in the current year may not be
brought forward to the current year regardless of when they are paid.
D. There are some costs that specifically are NOT ALLOWABLE. They are:
1. Payments on the principal of the purchase price of income-producing real
estate and capital assets such as equipment, machinery and other durable
goods;
2. Expenses and net losses from previous periods;
3. Federal, State and local income taxes, money set aside for retirement and
other work-related personal expenses such as transportation to and from
work. These expenses are allowed for by the 20 percent earned income
deduction;
4. Depreciation. To allow such costs would result in an exclusion for amounts
which are not actual costs to the household and would, in effect, constitute an
exclusion for the costs of income-producing property and assets which
otherwise are not allowed;
5. Repayment of the principal of a bank loan. The loan was never counted as
income, and the repayments as such are not excluded as an expense.
However, the household is given an exclusion for allowable expenses (see
104.83C) when purchases are made even if they are paid for with a business,
operating or personal loan;
6. Penalties and fines. For example, an IRS penalty imposed on a farmer for
failure to pay an employee's social security taxes is not an allowable cost of
doing business. Likewise, penalties imposed by the U. S. Department of
Agriculture for failure to comply with planting and marketing programs are not
allowable costs;
7. Blue jeans and work boots are not specific to any one job, and their costs are
not allowable exclusions. However, if a self-employed fisherman needs hip
boots or a bee keeper needs protective head gear, the costs would be
allowable exclusions; and
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
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8. Charitable contributions.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
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REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.85 Shelter Portion of a Farm
A. Shelter Costs Other Than Utilities
1. If a household's home is on property connected to property used for farming,
the case manager must determine if the shelter costs (e.g. rent or mortgage)
and the self-employment costs can be separately identified.
2. Proration may be used to separately identify costs based on information from
a mortgage lender, real estate tax records, Farmers Home Administration
documents, insurance premiums, etc., and the home ratio may be applied to
taxes and insurance costs if better information is not readily available.
3. If the costs of rent or mortgage, insurance, taxes, and interest cannot be
separated, no self-employment exclusion for insurance, taxes or interest on
the mortgage payment may be allowed, and no portion of the mortgage
payment, taxes or interest may be allowed as shelter costs.
4. If the farmer uses a room or a separate apartment in his or her house or
residence solely for the farm operation, the case manager may on a case-by-
case basis:
(a) Include all costs (such as rent, mortgage, taxes, and insurance) that the
household is required to pay to live there as household shelter costs; or
(b) Exclude part of the costs as self-employment costs and part as shelter
costs, provided that no costs are allowed as both self-employment costs
and shelter costs. The self-employment costs may be separately identified
based on the number of rooms, square feet, etc. If separately identified,
only the portion attributed to the household's living space can be included
in shelter costs. No portion of the principal attributed to the self-
employment enterprise under this option is allowed.
B. Utilities:
1. If a farmer's home is on property connected to property used for farming, the
case manager must determine if the shelter costs and self-employment costs
can be separately identified. Utility costs for a barn are often metered
separately from the home, and the cost of a telephone is the same as for
other households.
2. If utilities are measured and billed separately, the household is entitled to the
Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) or actual utility costs for its residence and to
the separately billed self-employment costs as a cost of doing business.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
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104.85 Shelter Portion of Farm (continued)
3. If the utility costs cannot be separately identified, the household may not
claim actual utility costs. As part of its shelter costs, the household is
entitled to SUA if it incurs out-of-pocket heating and cooling costs for the
home separately from the rent or mortgage or it receives a Low Income
Home Energy Assistance Act (MEAP) payment.
4. If the farmer uses part of his house, such as a separate room or a
separate apartment solely for the farm enterprise and there is a central
meter, the case manager on a case-by-case basis must:
(a) Allow the household either the SUA or the total actual utility costs for
the house as shelter costs, but no self-employment exclusion; or
(b) Allow the household to claim actual utility costs prorated between
shelter costs and self-employment costs. The SUA cannot be used
under this option.
104.86 Garnishments and Bankruptcy for Farmers
A. Garnishments have no effect on the treatment of self-employment income, i.e.
the total gross amount is counted in the income computation. The amount
garnished is not an income exclusion.
B. The self-employment income of farmers who have declared bankruptcy is
computed the same as the self-employment income of other farmers. There are
different types of bankruptcies.
Some allow people to continue to do the same kind of business and others
do not. If the person continues to earn self-
employment income, the gross amount minus allowable expenses is counted.
Sometimes the total amount of income goes to a trustee, and from this
amount he pays the bills and gives the farmer a living allowance. This living
allowance is not counted as income because it would result in double
counting. No exclusion is allowed for the fees of a trustee or conservator for
his services.
In other situations all of the money goes to the farmer, but he must pay a set
amount to a court appointed person for back debts. This amount is not
allowed as exclusion. An exclusion is allowed only for certain costs in the
year in which they are billed or otherwise become due. The household is not
entitled to a double exclusion.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
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REVISED JANUARY 2018
C. Paying off a loan
If a farmer sells equipment and uses the proceeds to pay off a loan, the
money is income to the farmer.
If he or she sells equipment and the proceeds are diverted to a bank to
repay a loan, the money is counted as income to the farmer.
If he or she voluntarily turns over collateral to a bank, and the bank sells
the collateral to pay off a loan, the proceeds of the sale are not counted as
income to the farmer. Once the collateral is turned over to the bank, it
becomes the legal property of the bank.
If a farmer holds the title to property and sells the property, any proceeds
from the sale are counted as income to him/her.
If the farmer gives the title to the bank or if the property is repossessed
prior to sale and the bank sells the property, the proceeds are not counted
as income to the household.
If a lender is unable to collect on a farm loan, the lender may write all or
part of it off or "forgive" the outstanding balance. The forgiven portion is
not counted as income to the household.
104.87 Farm Losses Offset Against Other Income
A. If the costs of producing self-employment farm income exceed the gross farm
income, such losses are offset against other countable income.
B. To qualify for this offset, the person must receive or anticipate receiving annual
gross proceeds of $1,000 or more from the farming enterprise.
C. Monthly net farm self-employment income is computed in the normal manner
by taking gross income, subtracting allowable exclusions and prorating the
result over the period the income is intended to cover (usually 12 months). If
there is a monthly net farm loss, the offset is made in two phases.
Phase I. The monthly farm loss is offset against the total amount of other net
self-employment income computed for that month.
Phase II. If other net self-employment income is not enough to cover the farm
loss, the remainder of the farm loss is offset against the total other earned and
unearned income for that month. If there is still a net loss, the household is
certified based on zero net income. The monthly excess loss is not carried
forward to subsequent months.
D. A fisherman is equivalent to a self-employed farmer for purposes of the offset
provision if the fisherman is self-employed, rather than an employee, and the
fisherman receives or anticipates receiving annual gross proceeds of $1,000 or
more from fishing. This applies even if the fisherman is only involved in
catching or harvesting the fish. This applies to watermen as well as to other
fishermen.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
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REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.88 Specific Types of Payments
Following is guidance for the treatment of specific types of payments:
A. A Federal gasoline tax credit is excluded from income. (It is a credit against tax
liability.)
B. A State gasoline tax refund is excluded from income on the basis that it is a
nonrecurring lump-sum payment. The Federal gasoline tax credit and the State
gasoline tax refund may be combined on the same line of the tax form.
C. Patronage dividends are reported on tax forms. They are paid by cooperatives in
cash or shares of stock. These dividends are similar to rebates paid based on
the amount of goods bought or services used for the self-employment enterprise.
Cash dividends are counted as self-employment income. Dividends in the form
of stock are considered a resource for non-categorically eligible households.
D. Payments received as royalties are counted as unearned income.
E. Income from rental property is self-employment income.
F. Disaster assistance payments made as the result of a Presidentially declared
major disaster or Presidentially declared emergency are excluded from income
and resources. This applies to Federal assistance provided to persons directly
affected and to comparable disaster assistance provided by States, local
governments, and disaster assistance organizations.
104.89 Earned Income Deduction
A. If a household has a monthly net self-employment income gain after the 50%
cost-to-produce deduction or a farm loss offset, if, the household is entitled to
a 20% earned income deduction from the net self-employment amount. If
there is a net self-employment income loss, the household is not entitled to an
earned income deduction from self-employment income.
B. If a household has earned income that is not from self-employment, the
earned income deduction from that income is computed based on the
amount before the 50% cost to produce deduction or farm loss offset, is
made.
104.891 Verification
The farmer's or business owner’s most recent income tax forms and schedules are
normally good sources of verification for self-employment income and expenses.
However, other sources may be used. If the tax form is questionable or not
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
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REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.891 Verification (continued)
available, the case manager must ask to see other documents that support the
income and expenses that the household has reported.
Other sources of verification may include, but are not limited to, ledgers, charge
account statements, sales slips, canceled checks, invoices, purchase orders and
cash receipts. In documenting this verification, the case manager should record the
date, identify the other party or company, describe the expense or income, and
record the amount, taxes and discounts, if any.
In some instances, such as anticipated changes or a new business, it may be
necessary to obtain information from collateral contacts.
If a bankruptcy action has been initiated, the case manager may get a statement
from the bankruptcy trustee regarding the debt reorganization plan concerning the
accessibility of assets and the anticipated gross income and expenses.
104.892 Making Changes
When income has been annualized and changes are reported during the 12-month
period, the State agency must make adjustments. The following are some examples.
A. This household filed its income tax return in February and applied for FSP
benefits in February. It is subject to simplified reporting. The household did not
choose to have the income prorated in uneven amounts.
Original Certification:
$16,000 crop income
- 8,000 50% self-employment deduction (actual farm expenses were $4000)
$ 8,000 divided by 12 months = $667 net per month for February through January
of the following year.
Due to a drought, the household reported on July 20 that it expected to only get
$10,000 from the sale of crops for the year. The case manager must re-annualize
the income over the same 12-month period that was used at the time of certification
or recertification using the new income amount.
1st Change:
$10,000 crop income
- 5,000 farm expenses (50% self-employment deduction)
$ 5,000 divided by 12 months = $417 net per month for August through January of
the following year.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
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REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.892 Making Changes (continued)
The household came in on August 1 and reported a second change. It reported that
it expected to receive an additional $2,400 payment in September from the sale of
crops on land that it recently purchased. The case manager must re-annualize
again over the same 12-month period that was used at the time of certification or
recertification based on the most recent information available.
2nd Change:
$10,000 crop income
+ 2,400 additional crop income
12,400 total gross income
- 6,200 expenses
$ 6,200 divided by 12 months = $517 net per month for September through
January in lieu of all previously computed amounts. A Notice of Adverse
Action must be sent in August.
The end result is that this household will be certified with net monthly farm income
of $667 for February - July, $417 for August, and $517 for September - January.
B. If her income and expenses were annualized and a person leaves the hairdressing
salon where she rents a chair during the 12-month period, the case manager should
stop counting the self-employment income when the last income is received from
that source. For example, the hair dresser reported the first of September that she
planned to leave the salon in October and take a job the first of November as an
employee in another salon. Her hairdressing self-employment income had already
been included in the averaged amount. The averaged amount of income would
continue to be counted for October. No self-employment income would be counted
for November, but her earned income from the new salon would be counted.
C. If a household is expected to receive residual income after the person stops being
actively engaged in a business enterprise and the amount of income is expected to
be substantially more or less than that previously averaged, the case manager must
calculate the residual income based on the anticipated monthly amounts. For
example, the annualized self-employment income resulted in an average monthly
amount of $400. On June 5, the person reported that he would not be actively
engaged in farming after June and would not receive any additional income from that
source except that a person who bought some hay owes him $100 in July and $200
in August. The person does not anticipate any future expenses. In this case, the
case manager would stop counting the $400 monthly amount after June’s issuance
and calculate future self- employment income based on the amount anticipated to be
received each month. The case manager could count $100 as self-employment
income for July and $200 self-employment income for August, or the anticipated
fluctuating income could be averaged over the remainder of the certification period.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
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REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.9 IRS Forms
104.91 1099 MISC
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
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REVISED JANUARY 2018
104.92 Schedule C
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION
FOOD SUPPLEMENT
PROGRAM MANUAL
SELF-EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS
Section 104
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REVISED JANUARY 2018
