The IRS considers "material participation" to be the determining factor as to which farm income tax form you should file. If you're a traditional farmer who raises crops or livestock, you're considered a self-employed business person and you would file using Schedule F, Profit or Loss From Farming.
Enter Farm Income (on Schedule F):
However, if you merely rent out your land to farmers and do not materially participate in the labor or management of the farming process yourself, you are considered a landowner, not a farmer, according to the IRS. Form 4835 is the way for non-participating farmland owners to report their farm income and expenses.
Enter Farm Rental Income:
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Enter Rental Income (Schedule E):
[Edited 2/28/24 | 11:05am PST]