If we filed a farm return in 2015 and due to a catastrophic loss of cattle have closed the business with nothing to sell, do we have to file a return in 2016?

[cseitzjohn]

While we were on vacation the water to the cattle got shut off and we lost over half our little herd.  we are keeping the remaining cattle for our own use.

[Carl]

yes. The IRS does not know you no longer have the business, or why you no longer have the business, until you report that to them on your taxes. You don't say if this is a SCH F with your personal return, or a completely separate 1120-S S-Corp return, or what. So how you do that, depends on how you've been reporting this on your taxes in the past.