The 10-Year Collection Statute – Why It Is So Important for Orange County Taxpayers

Marc Boulanger • April 5, 2025

IRS 10-Year Collection Statute infographic for Orange County taxpayers

When you owe the IRS, every notice, letter, or collection call can feel like a ticking time bomb. But here's what many Orange County residents don’t realize — the IRS has a time limit. It’s called the 10-Year Collection Statute of Limitations, and it may be the key to eliminating your tax debt for good.

At Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC, we help taxpayers across Orange County, CA use this statute to protect their income, homes, and businesses. Whether you're in Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, or anywhere in between — knowing how this rule works is essential to your tax resolution strategy.

What Is the IRS 10-Year Collection Statute?

The 10-Year Collection Statute of Limitations is the legal deadline the IRS has to collect a tax debt. From the date of assessment (not when you filed), the IRS has 10 years to collect — after that, the debt expires.

This deadline is known as the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED). Once that date passes, the IRS legally can no longer pursue you for that debt. This applies to individuals and businesses alike, and it’s a crucial component of many successful tax resolution strategies in Orange County.

Why It Matters for Orange County Residents

1. It Limits IRS Collection Power

The IRS can levy your bank account or garnish wages without going to court. In high-income areas like Irvine or Newport Beach, this can mean tens of thousands of dollars at risk. But the 10-year statute limits how long they can keep coming after you.

2. It Affects Your Tax Resolution Strategy

Let’s say you live in Santa Ana and owe taxes from 2014. If your CSED is in 2025, you may be able to avoid a long-term payment plan that just prolongs the pain. Instead, we may help you position yourself to wait out the statute or seek hardship status.

3. It Strengthens Negotiation Leverage

When the statute is close to expiring, the IRS may be more willing to negotiate an Offer in Compromise, Currently Not Collectible status, or a partial pay Installment Agreement.

4. It Offers Real Peace of Mind

For many Orange County families and entrepreneurs, understanding that there’s a legal end in sight helps reduce stress — especially for those juggling other financial pressures like rent, payroll, or California’s high cost of living.

When the Clock Starts (And How It Can Pause)

The 10-year period begins when the IRS assesses the debt — not necessarily when you filed (or didn’t file). But certain actions can pause the clock, which can unknowingly extend the statute:

Filing bankruptcy
Submitting an Offer in Compromise
Filing a Collection Due Process appeal
Living abroad for 6+ months
Requesting innocent spouse relief

We’ve seen Orange County taxpayers in Anaheim and Tustin lose valuable time because they weren’t aware of these tolling events. That’s why we always pull full IRS transcripts to calculate exact CSED dates before recommending any course of action.

What Happens When the 10 Years Are Up?

Once the 10-year period ends, the IRS must:

Cease collections
Stop all wage garnishments and bank levies
Release tax liens (after filing form 12277)
Write off the balance as uncollectible

Here’s the catch: the IRS won’t always tell you when your debt expires. That’s why having a proactive, local tax professional matters.

Orange County Case Study

A client in Huntington Beach came to us with over $60,000 in IRS debt. After reviewing transcripts, we found that several of her tax years were less than 18 months away from expiring under the CSED. Instead of locking her into a full-pay agreement, we successfully negotiated a partial pay plan and let the clock run out on the remaining years.

Knowing the statute timeline saved her over $40,000.

How to Find Your CSED (And What to Do With It)

You can’t rely on IRS notices to give you this info. You need to:

Request IRS account transcripts
Track each year’s assessment date
Log any tolling events that paused the clock
Calculate your real CSED window

This is something we do for every client we help in Orange County, from small business owners in Mission Viejo to retirees in Laguna Niguel.

How Boulanger CPA Can Help

At Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC, we specialize in helping Orange County taxpayers deal with IRS problems — and the 10-year statute is one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal.

We’ll help you:

Identify your Collection Statute Expiration Date
Review IRS records for tolling events
Choose a strategy that protects your finances and maximizes your chances of full or partial relief
Handle all IRS communication on your behalf
Avoid extending the statute unnecessarily

We serve clients virtually throughout California and offer in-person appointments at our Orange County office (by appointment only).

Serving Orange County Taxpayers in:

Irvine
Santa Ana
Anaheim
Costa Mesa
Huntington Beach
Newport Beach
Tustin
Mission Viejo
Laguna Beach
Laguna Niguel

Final Word: Time Might Be On Your Side — If You Act Smart

If you’re dealing with IRS tax debt in Orange County, the 10-year statute might be the light at the end of the tunnel. But only if you know how to use it. Don’t let the IRS outplay you with delay tactics and tolling traps.

Get expert help from a local CPA who knows how to use the law — and the clock — in your favor.

Let’s Figure Out When the IRS Clock Runs Out on You

Call Today: 657-218-5700
Email: marc@boulangercpa.com
Visit: www.orangecounty.cpa

Frequently Asked Questions About the IRS 10-Year Collection Statute

What is the IRS Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED)?
The Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED) is the date the IRS legally loses the right to collect a tax debt. It is typically 10 years from the date the IRS assesses the tax. After this date, the IRS must stop all collection efforts.
Does the 10-year statute apply to all IRS tax debts?
Yes, in general, most IRS tax debts are subject to the 10-year statute. However, certain events can extend this period (like filing for bankruptcy or submitting an Offer in Compromise). Some criminal penalties or fraudulent filings may not have the same limitation.
How can I find out my IRS CSED?
You can request your IRS account transcripts, which show the assessment dates and tolling events. At Boulanger CPA, we pull and analyze these transcripts for our clients in Orange County to calculate accurate CSEDs for each tax year.
Can the IRS still file a lien or levy if the CSED has expired?
No. Once the CSED has passed, the IRS can no longer enforce collection on that tax year. Any existing liens should be released, and the IRS is prohibited from levying wages, bank accounts, or other assets related to that debt.
What actions can pause or extend the 10-year statute?
Certain actions extend the CSED, including:

Filing for bankruptcy

Submitting an Offer in Compromise

Requesting a Collection Due Process hearing

Living outside the U.S. for 6 months or more

Filing for innocent spouse relief

These “tolling events” pause the clock and must be tracked carefully.
Is it ever a good idea to just wait out the statute?
It depends. In some cases, particularly when you’re close to the expiration date and under financial hardship, waiting may be strategic. However, this should always be done with professional guidance, as missteps could extend the statute or trigger aggressive collections.
Can I still apply for an Installment Agreement or Offer in Compromise if the statute is close to expiring?
Yes, but it may not always be in your best interest. Submitting these requests can pause the statute and give the IRS more time to collect. We help our Orange County clients choose the right option based on how much time is left on the CSED.