Understanding IRS Collection Standards in Marshall County
For taxpayers in Marshall County, South Dakota, facing IRS collection actions, understanding the IRS Collection Financial Standards is crucial. These standards, utilized when evaluating your ability to pay via Form 433-A, 'Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals,' dictate the allowable monthly expenses for your household. The IRS calculates your disposable income by subtracting these essential expenses from your gross income. While specific local housing and utilities standards are not provided for Marshall County, the National Standards for Food, Clothing & Other allow a single person $812 per month, escalating to $1983 for a family of four. These figures are derived from IRS.gov Collection Financial Standards, which integrates data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Survey and the US Census Bureau. Demonstrating that an IRS levy creates an economic hardship, as defined by IRC §6343(a)(1)(D), is key to securing relief.
Marshall County Housing & Utilities Allowance vs. HUD Fair Market Rent
Unlike many regions, Marshall County, South Dakota, does not have specific IRS Local Standards for Housing & Utilities listed, showing as $N/A across all household sizes. This means the IRS will evaluate your actual housing expenses. For comparison, the HUD FY2025 Fair Market Rent (FMR) data for Marshall County indicates a 2-bedroom unit averages $1060.0 per month. If your actual, necessary housing costs exceed a reasonable amount as determined by the IRS, you may need to request a deviation from the standard, a process outlined in Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) 5.15.1.10. While regional shelter CPI data is not available for Marshall County, demonstrating that your actual rent aligns with or is below the HUD FMR can support your claim for necessary expenses, especially when local IRS standards are undefined.
Food, Healthcare & Transportation Allowances
Beyond housing, the IRS Collection Financial Standards provide specific allowances for other essential living costs. For food, clothing, and other necessities, a single individual in Marshall County, South Dakota, is allowed $812 per month, while a family of four can claim $1983. These National Standards are based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. Healthcare costs also have specific allowances: $75 per person under 65 and $153 per person for those 65 and over, derived from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Transportation allowances for Marshall County include $588 for one car ownership and an additional $270 for operating costs, totaling $858 monthly for a single vehicle. These Local Transportation Standards are based on BLS data and American Automobile Association operating costs, ensuring essential travel expenses are considered.
Qualifying for Currently Not Collectible (CNC) Status in South Dakota
Achieving Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status in South Dakota provides crucial relief from IRS enforced collection actions, such as wage levies (Form 668-W) and bank levies (Form 668-A). To qualify, you must demonstrate to the IRS that your allowable monthly expenses meet or exceed your income, leaving no disposable income for tax payments. This is primarily assessed through Form 433-A. For a single filer in Marshall County, South Dakota, a potential calculation might include: housing (e.g., actual rent, with HUD FMR for a 2BR at $1060.0 as a benchmark), food, clothing, and other at $812, out-of-pocket healthcare at $75, and one-car transportation at $858. If your total necessary expenses, like $1060.0 + $812 + $75 + $858 = $2805.0, exceed your net income, the IRS may place your account in CNC status under IRM 5.16.1, leading to the release of levies per IRC §6343. Importantly, CNC status does not extend the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED) under IRC §6502, which typically limits the IRS to 10 years to collect the debt.