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Currently Not Collectible

What does it mean when the IRS says your uncollectible?

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The Currently Not Collectible Status (“CNC”) is a status that the IRS can grant to individuals or businesses whom it has determined are unable to repay their delinquent taxes.  Internally, the IRS sometimes refers to Currently Not Collectible Status as “Status 53.”

Although penalties and interest will continue to accrue on the unpaid taxes, the IRS generally will not take enforcement action such as bank levies, wage levies (garnishments), seizure of assets, and accounts receivable levies while a taxpayer’s account is in CNC status. However, the IRS will very likely file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien for liabilities in excess of $10,000 (if it hasn’t already) prior to granting CNC status.

The IRS has a laundry list of reasons why it might place a taxpayer into CNC, most of which aren’t applicable to a business or individual who is actively looking for relief from the IRS (taxpayer is deceased, business entity is defunct or bankrupt, unable to locate taxpayer, etc.).

For the rest of us — operating businesses and living individuals who haven’t vanished — obtaining CNC status will require two things:

  1. The taxpayer must be in compliance with all current tax obligations (e.g. all tax returns have been filed, current tax obligations are being paid); and
  2. The taxpayer must demonstrate, usually via full financial disclosure, that it is able to pay current tax obligations, but unable to pay anything towards the tax debt.  For individuals, this means that the individual will not be able to meet their necessary living expenses while repaying anything toward their tax liability. For businesses, this means that the business will not be able to meet its necessary business expenses while also repaying anything toward its tax liability.
Learn more about the IRS CNC. See how the Currently Not Collective status may affect you.
Brett Shelton
Brett Shelton
Brett Shelton Roofing, Santa Cruz, CA
"Some tax relief companies are just out to get your money. That is absolutely not the case with Fortress. Not only is the Fortress staff excellent at resolving back taxes, they are very personable and they truly care about their clients."

Advantages of CNC

  1. The taxpayer can live without fear of IRS enforced collection action; and
  2. The taxpayer will not be required to make any payments whatsoever towards their back tax liability to the IRS while they are in CNC status; and
  3. Taxpayers who succeed in staying in CNC status until the IRS’s Collection Statute of Limitations expires (typically 10 years from the date the tax was assessed) can have a tax liability go away without ever having to pay anything towards it.

Disadvantages of CNC

  1. Qualifying for CNC can be challenging—the IRS will often demand payment even when an individual or business thinks they are too broke to pay anything; and
  2. It is not a “permanent” solution, meaning that the IRS may periodically review the taxpayer’s financial condition and remove a taxpayer from CNC status if it deems fit.  If a taxpayer’s financial condition improves, the IRS may remove the taxpayer from CNC status and require payment.  If the IRS requests updated financial information and the taxpayer fails to provide it, the IRS may remove the taxpayer from CNC status and proceed with enforcement.
A taxpayer who is a good candidate for CNC is often also a good candidate for an Offer in Compromise (“OIC”).  Contact Fortress or a competent tax resolution professional to assist you in determining which option is a better fit for your unique circumstances.

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Resolving your tax debt typically has very little to do with accounting, and everything to do with building and presenting a strong case.

Most CPA’s have very little experience, if any, resolving back taxes. Our attorneys do nothing but resolve back taxes, day in and day out.

Negotiation and persuasive skills, not number-crunching skills, get the best results when it comes to resolving back taxes.

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