Guidance

Rural payments: if the structure of your business is changing

You need to tell the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) if the structure of your business is changing.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

If:

  • a partner is joining or leaving the business

  • you are splitting an existing business into 2 or more businesses

  • you are merging 2 or more businesses into 1

you need to call RPA on 03000 200 301 and we will explain what to do next. We may ask you to fill in a ‘New Business Questionnaire IACS 27’ and send it to us. You may also need to fill in a ‘Separate Business Questionnaire (IACS 26)’ form.

If you are splitting a business into 2 or more businesses, fill in a ‘Separate Business Questionnaire (IACS26)’ form and send it to us. You can also use this to tell us if you are involved in more than 1 business registered with us.

If you’ve made structural changes to your business, or you’re involved in more than 1 business, we may have to change your Single Business Identifier (SBI). We will consider:

  • the business structure

  • if the business or any business members have an interest in any other farming business

  • who is farming the land and applying for payment

  • the percentage shareholding

  • who has ultimate responsibility for long-term and/or day to day decisions and transactions between the businesses

Contact RPA

Email ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk

Helpline 03000 200 301

Updates to this page

Published 10 February 2020

Sign up for emails or print this page