Understanding IRS Collection Standards in Millard County
Taxpayers in Millard County, Utah, facing IRS collection actions such as wage or bank levies must understand how the IRS determines their ability to pay. This assessment is primarily conducted using IRS Form 433-A, 'Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals.' The IRS calculates a taxpayer's disposable income by comparing their gross income against a set of allowable living expenses, known as National and Local Standards. For a single individual, the National Standard for Food, Clothing & Other is $812 monthly. While specific local housing standards for Millard County are not provided by the IRS, taxpayers must document their actual, necessary housing and utility expenses. The goal is to identify if collection would cause 'economic hardship,' as defined under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §6343(a)(1)(D). This crucial data is sourced from IRS.gov Collection Financial Standards, incorporating information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Millard County Housing & Utilities Allowance vs. HUD Fair Market Rent
For Millard County, Utah, the IRS does not publish a specific Local Standard for Housing and Utilities. This means taxpayers are required to document their actual, necessary monthly housing and utility expenses for IRS review. While there's no fixed IRS standard, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) provides Fair Market Rent (FMR) data, which can serve as a benchmark for reasonable housing costs. For instance, the HUD FY2025 FMR for a 2-bedroom unit in Millard County is $1220.0 per month. If a taxpayer's documented actual housing expenses exceed what the IRS might typically allow, they can request a deviation from the standard, citing Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) 5.15.1.10. Documenting that your actual rent, such as $1220.0 for a 2-bedroom, is necessary and reasonable, especially compared to local FMRs, strengthens your argument for such a deviation. Unfortunately, regional shelter Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is not available for this specific region to show year-over-year changes.
Food, Healthcare & Transportation Allowances
Beyond housing, the IRS allows specific amounts for other essential living expenses. For food, clothing, and other necessities, the National Standards range from $812 per month for a single person to $1983 for a family of four, with an additional $357 for each extra person. These figures are derived from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey. Healthcare is another critical allowance; the IRS permits $75 per month for individuals under 65 and $153 per month for those 65 and over, per person. These amounts are based on data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. For transportation in Millard County, Utah, the IRS Local Standards allow $588 per month for the ownership costs of one car and $270 per month for operating costs in the region. This totals $858 per month for one vehicle. For two vehicles, the ownership allowance rises to $1176, making the total transportation allowance $1446 per month. These transportation figures are based on BLS data and American Automobile Association operating costs.
Qualifying for Currently Not Collectible (CNC) Status in Utah
For Millard County, Utah taxpayers facing severe financial hardship, Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status offers a temporary reprieve from active IRS collection. To qualify, you must submit IRS Form 433-A, detailing your income, assets, and expenses. The IRS will compare your total documented necessary expenses against your income. For example, a single filer in Millard County might demonstrate hardship if their income is less than their combined allowable expenses, which could include a documented housing expense (e.g., $930.0 for a 1-bedroom FMR), plus $812 for food, $75 for healthcare (under 65), and $858 for one-car transportation, totaling $2675.0 per month in basic living costs. If your income falls below your documented allowable expenses, the IRS may place your account in CNC status under IRM 5.16.1. This effectively pauses collection and can lead to the release of an existing levy under IRC §6343. Importantly, while CNC status stops active collection, it does not extend the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED), which is generally 10 years from the date of assessment under IRC §6502.