AgriStability Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

• Accessing AgriStability Benefits
• More Information on AgriStabiltiy
• I have questions about the 2025 Program Changes

Can I access AgriStability benefits before completing my fiscal year?

The AgriStability Interim Payment feature allows you to apply for program benefits before you complete your fiscal year. An Interim Payment is an advance on your final AgriStability benefit. Please contact the AgriStability Administration at (902)836-0435 to enquire. You must submit program forms and pay the required fee to apply for an interim benefit.

The deadline to request interim payment for a program year is March 31. 
 

How can I find more information on AgriStability?

For more information on the AgriStability program visit the AgriStability page or call the administration at (902) 836-0435. You can also visit the P.E.I.AIC's Kensington office. 
 

I have questions about the 2025 Program Changes.

How long can you receive a tax-aligned reference margin?

You can have a tax-aligned reference margin for as long as you like, starting with the 2025 program year. If you choose to have a tax-aligned reference margin you will only be permitted to switch to the accrual adjusted method once you have not had an accrual adjusted reference margin calculated in any of the four program years immediately prior to the current program year.

However, new participants who elect to have a tax-aligned reference margin when they first join the program, will be permitted to switch to the accrual adjusted method in any future program year after their first year of participation.
 

How you receive a tax-aligned reference margin?

You must send the Administration a completed Tax-aligned Reference Margin Consent Form by the deadline.
 

Tax-aligned reference margin if you are in a partnership.

Each partner in a partnership can choose to have a tax-aligned reference margin.
 

Tax-aligned reference margin if your farm is combined with another farm.

All members in a whole farm must have the same method of accounting applied when calculating reference margins (apples to apples comparison). Therefore, all members of a whole farm must choose to have a tax-aligned reference margin.
 

If you receive an interim payment, you can still choose to have a tax-aligned reference margin.

You can choose to have a tax-aligned reference margin by sending the Administration the consent form by the deadline. If you receive an interim payment before sending the consent form, your reference margin used to calculate your interim payment will be different from the reference margin used to calculate your final benefit. If your interim payment is greater than your final benefit you will have to repay the overpayment.
 

You cannot choose to have a tax-aligned reference margin after sending in your application.

You must send the Administration your consent form by the deadline and prior to filing your application. If the consent form is not on file when the Administration receives your application, your reference margin will be calculated on the accrual basis. You can choose to have a tax-aligned reference margin in a future program year provided you send the Administration a consent form before filing that application.
 

You cannot choose to have a tax-aligned reference margin after you receive a Calculation of Program Benefits and have your AgriStability benefits for a program year.

You must send the Administration your consent form prior by the deadline and prior to filing your application. If the consent form is not on file when the Administration receives your application, your reference margin will be calculated on the accrual basis. You can choose to have a tax-aligned reference margin in a future program year provided you send the Administration a consent form before filing that application.
 

If you choose to have a tax-aligned reference margin, you cannot opt out of the tax aligned reference margin in future program years.

If you choose to have a tax-aligned reference margin you will only be permitted to switch to the accrual adjusted method once you have not had an accrual adjusted reference margin calculated in any of the four program years immediately prior to the current program year.

However, new participants who elect to have a tax-aligned reference margin when they first join the program, will be permitted to switch to the accrual adjusted method in any future program year after their first year of participation.
 

How is the program year margin is calculated with a tax-aligned reference margin?

The tax-aligned reference margin only applies to the reference margin. The program year margin calculation remains the same, with accrual adjustments.
 

If you file your taxes on the accrual basis there are changes with a tax-aligned reference margin.

A new program feature starting with the 2025 program year is the option to receive a coverage notice. The coverage notice provides an estimate of your reference margin and support level for the current program year.

The coverage notices will be available during the program year and will help you better determine if you qualify for a benefit and whether you will need to provide the necessary program year supplementary information. If you believe you will not qualify for a benefit, you do not need to submit a final application. To receive a coverage notice, you must choose to have a tax-aligned reference margin.
 

How do you apply for a coverage notice?

To receive a coverage notice for, you must send the Administration a completed Intended Productive Capacity Form for the current program year by the deadline.

You must also choose a tax-aligned reference margin to receive a coverage notice. To choose a tax-aligned reference margin, send the Administration a completed Tax-aligned Reference Margin Consent Form by the deadline.
 

Why must you provide your intended productive capacity information for the current year when the coverage notice provides information about your estimated reference margin?

The Administration will use your intended productive capacity for the current program year to determine if there has been a structural change to your farming operation. If you experienced a significant change in the size of your farming operation, the Administration may apply a structural change adjustment to your reference margin. This will ensure your reference years are more reflective of what your farm looks like today. The Administration needs your current year intended productive units to calculate the structural change adjustment.

Also, if you are a beginning farmer your intended productive capacity will be used to create your reference margin.
 

You must apply for a coverage notice each year you want to receive one.

You must send the Administration your intended productive capacity for each year you want a coverage notice.
 

Coverage notices if you are in a partnership.

Each partner can choose to receive a coverage notice.
 

You may receive a coverage notice if your farm is combined with another farm.

The coverage notice will be based on the whole farm. Therefore, all members of a whole farm must choose to have a tax-aligned reference margin and provide their intended productive capacity for the program year. We need the intended productive capacity of all members to calculate the estimated reference margin and support level for the whole farm.

 

Looking for Additional Information?

• Forms and other AgriStability guidelines
• AgriStability enrolment, deadlines and fee payments
• Calculating AgriStability program benefits