Updated November 7, 2026. Quick answer: Line 33 adds the expenses, line 34 is gross income (line 9) minus line 33, and line 36 asks whether your investment in a loss activity is all at risk. A net profit goes to Schedule 1 line 6 and Schedule SE line 1a; a loss first has to clear the at-risk and passive loss rules before it can be entered on line 34.
Lines 33 and 34
| Line | What it asks |
|---|---|
| 33 | “Total expenses. Add lines 10 through 32f.” |
| 34 | “Net farm profit or (loss). Subtract line 33 from line 9.” |
| 35 | Reserved for future use. |
Negative line 32f: “If line 32f is a negative amount, subtract it from the total of lines 10 through 32e. Enter the result on line 33.”
Where the result is reported
Individuals: “Enter your net profit or loss on line 34 and on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 6 and; Schedule SE (Form 1040), line 1a.” Partnerships: “Enter the net profit or loss on line 34 and on Form 1065, line 5.” Trusts and estates: “Enter the net profit or loss on line 34 and on Form 1041, line 6.” The pages: Schedule 1 lines 3 to 6.
The earned income link: “If you have a net profit on line 34, this amount is earned income and may qualify you for the earned income credit if you meet certain conditions.” That credit is covered on Schedule EIC.
A special case for Conservation Reserve Program payments: “If you received social security retirement or disability benefits in addition to CRP payments, the CRP payments aren’t subject to self-employment tax.” “Don’t make any adjustment on Schedule F (Form 1040).”
A loss is limited before it reaches line 34
The Instructions warn: “If line 33 is more than line 9, don’t enter your loss on line 34 until you have applied the at-risk rules and the passive activity loss rules.” The excess business loss limit can apply as well, through Form 461. The passive-loss form is Form 8582 and the at-risk form is Form 6198.
Line 36: at-risk boxes
You skip line 36 if there is a profit: “You don’t need to complete line 36 if line 9 is more than line 33.” Otherwise check one box. Box 36b is for money not at risk: “Check box 36b if you have amounts invested in this activity for which you aren’t at risk, such as the following.” The first example is “Nonrecourse loans used to finance the activity, to acquire property used in the activity, or to acquire the activity that aren’t secured by your own property (other than property used in the activity).” With box 36b, “If you checked box 36b because some investment isn’t at risk and you don’t attach Form 6198, the processing of your return may be delayed.” Box 36a, with a Yes answer on line E, means “The at-risk rules and the passive activity loss rules don’t apply.”
Example with invented numbers
Illustration, not an IRS example; every result is computed. The invented farm from the earlier pages has gross income of $86,400 and the invented expenses below.
| Line | Entry | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Gross income from the lines 6 to 9 page (computed) | $86,400 |
| 10 | Invented expense (an input to the computed total) | $3,400 |
| 14 | Invented expense (an input to the computed total) | $7,200 |
| 16 | Invented expense (an input to the computed total) | $18,600 |
| 19 | Invented expense (an input to the computed total) | $6,250 |
| 22 | Invented expense (an input to the computed total) | $14,000 |
| 24b | Invented expense (an input to the computed total) | $9,000 |
| 25 | Invented expense (an input to the computed total) | $5,900 |
| 29 | Invented expense (an input to the computed total) | $2,100 |
| 30 | Invented expense (an input to the computed total) | $4,800 |
| 33 | Total expenses (computed) | $71,250 |
| 34 | Net farm profit: line 9 minus line 33 (computed) | $15,150 |
Net farm profit is $15,150, so line 36 is skipped and the amount goes to Schedule 1 line 6 and to Schedule SE.
Edition
This page reads Schedule F (Form 1040) for 2025 and the Instructions for Schedule F (Form 1040) (2025), the files irs.gov served on 2026-11-07. Line numbers belong to that edition, so check the label printed on the schedule in your own copy before you follow a line reference.
Common mistakes
- Entering a loss on line 34 before applying the at-risk and passive activity rules.
- Checking box 36a when part of the investment is borrowed on a nonrecourse basis with no security of your own.
- Forgetting to attach Form 6198 when box 36b is checked, which can delay processing.
- Subtracting CRP payments on Schedule F. The Instructions say to handle them on Schedule SE and make no adjustment here.
Related: Schedule F overview, Form 6198, and Schedule C lines 31 and 32.
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- Schedule F (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Farming (2025): https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sf.pdf
- Instructions for Schedule F (Form 1040) (2025): https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sf.pdf
Read from the IRS documents linked above on November 7, 2026. General information, not tax advice. Your own facts decide the outcome, and a preparer, the account provider or the IRS is the right place to confirm anything consequential.