The scope of the concessional Farm Management Deposits scheme has been widened with the introduction of changes this week.A legislative amendment that took effect on July 1 allows farmers and other primary producers to earn up to A$100,000 of non-primary production (off-farm) income and still be eligible to set up a concessional deposit in the same year. The previous limit was $65,000.Farm Management Deposits are designed to allow primary producers to smooth out their cash flows. They can set aside pre-tax income from primary production in years of high income.Deposits must be held for a minimum of 12 months and the income is taxable when it is withdrawn.Another change to the scheme allows primary producers to consolidate multiple accounts that have been held for more than 12 months, without any tax consequences. This provision is designed to reduce the administrative complexity of the scheme.The current value of Farm Management Deposits is $3.2 billion - down from $3.7 billion in the middle of last year.The government has also permanently exempted the deposits from the unclaimed money provisions.