IRS Passport Revocation
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Understanding Passport Revocation: What is it?
The IRS has the authority to revoke or deny a passport for taxpayers with significant tax debt. This is known as IRS passport revocation or denial. If you have a seriously delinquent tax debt, which is an individual’s unpaid, legally enforceable federal tax debt totaling more than $54,000 (including interest and penalties), the IRS may notify the State Department. Once the State Department gets notified, they may deny your passport application or renewal. If you already have a passport, the State Department may revoke it.
The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) will send you a Notice CP508C when your tax debt is being certified as seriously delinquent. This means your case is now forwarded to the State Department. The State Department will then take action, either denying or revoking your passport. To avoid receiving a passport denial letter or having your passport revoked, address any tax debts as soon as possible. If you’ve already received a Notice CP508C, it’s important to act quickly. Resolve your tax debt or make suitable arrangements with the IRS to pay your debt, such as setting up a payment plan or negotiating a settlement. Once the IRS has received your payment or you’ve made arrangements to pay your debt, they will reverse the certification and notify the State Department. Resolving your tax debt is not only essential for your financial well-being, but it’s also crucial for maintaining your freedom to travel internationally.
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When can the IRS revoke your passport?
The IRS has the authority to request the State Department to either deny or revoke your passport if you have a significant tax debt. This is part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which requires the IRS to notify the State Department about taxpayers with “seriously delinquent tax debt.”
A “seriously delinquent tax debt” is defined as an unpaid, legally enforceable federal tax liability of an individual totaling more than $61,200 (as of 2023, but this amount is subject to change annually for inflation), including interest and penalties. If you owe this amount or more and have received a Notice of Federal Tax Lien, and the IRS has exhausted all efforts to collect the debt, the IRS will send a passport denial letter to the State Department, which in turn may deny or revoke your passport.
However, there are exceptions to the IRS passport rule. If you are making payments as part of an IRS-approved installment agreement or an offer in compromise, or if you have requested a collection due process hearing, your passport will not be at risk.
What else? It’s incredibly vital to address your tax debt as soon as possible to avoid problems with your passport. If you receive a passport denial letter from the State Department or a notice from the IRS that they intend to request the denial or revocation of your passport, it is advisable to seek professional help to resolve your tax debt and protect your passport status.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about IRS passport revocation:
- The IRS can revoke your passport even if you owe less than $61,200 in back taxes.
- The IRS can revoke your passport even if you have not been convicted of tax evasion.
- The IRS can revoke your passport if they believe that you are a flight risk.
- The State Department can deny or revoke your passport for any reason, including tax debt.
If you are facing the possibility of having your passport revoked, speak directly with our in-house former IRS agents to discuss your options!
What are the consequences of having your passport revoked?
Owing back taxes can have significant consequences, and one that often takes people by surprise is the impact it can have on your passport. The IRS has the authority to request the State Department to revoke your passport if you have a seriously delinquent tax debt. This is known as IRS passport revocation.
If the IRS revokes your passport, it can lead to a host of challenges and inconveniences: It’s clear that the consequences of IRS passport revocation are far-reaching and can affect multiple areas of your life. If you owe back taxes, it’s essential to address the situation promptly.
Obviously, the most immediate consequence is the disruption to your travel plans. Without a valid passport, you cannot travel internationally, whether for business, leisure, or family reasons
If your passport is up for renewal, the State Department may deny your application until your tax issues are resolved.
If you are living abroad when your passport is revoked, you may face difficulties with your foreign residency status or even be deported.
Having a seriously delinquent tax debt that leads to passport revocation can also negatively impact your credit score.
Depending on the country you are in when your passport is revoked, you may face legal issues or fines from that country.
With Prime Tax Solutions, Prevent Passport
Revocation Due to Tax Debt
No one wants to face passport revocation, especially when planning a trip abroad. One reason the State Department might revoke your passport is due to a significant amount of tax debt. The IRS can request the State Department to revoke or deny your passport if you owe a seriously delinquent tax debt, which is currently $54,000 or more, including penalties and interest.
So, how can you prevent an IRS passport hold?
Pay Your Taxes on Time
This is the most straightforward way to avoid any issues with the IRS and your passport. Make sure to file your tax returns and pay any taxes owed by the deadline.
Set Up a Payment Plan
If you can't pay your tax debt in full, the IRS offers payment plans that allow you to pay your debt over time. Setting up and adhering to a payment plan will prevent the IRS from flagging your account as seriously delinquent.
Settle Your Tax Debt with OIC
An offer in compromise allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. If the IRS approves your offer, and you adhere to the terms of the agreement, your tax debt will be considered resolved, and there will be no IRS hold on your passport.
Dispute the Tax Debt
If you believe the IRS has made a mistake and you do not owe the tax debt, you can file a lawsuit in the U.S. Tax Court or a U.S. District Court.
Remember, if your passport is at risk of revocation due to tax debt, the State Department will usually hold your application for 90 days to allow you to resolve the debt, enter into a payment plan, or show that the debt is not seriously delinquent.
Staying proactive about your tax situation is the best way to avoid passport revocation. If you are facing a significant tax debt and worried about an IRS passport hold, consider consulting a tax professional to discuss your options.
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How Can Prime Tax Solutions Help You with Passport Revocation? Hear what our former IRS agents have to say!
Tax debts can be overwhelming, and the stakes are even higher when they impact your ability to travel. If you have seriously delinquent tax debt, the IRS can notify the U.S. State Department, which may lead to passport revocation or denial of IRS passport renewal. That’s where Prime Tax Solutions steps in. Our in-house experts have the right knowledge about circumstances like these. With 150+ years of collective IRS experience, what we bring to the table is more than just passport revocation relief. We bring you everything from tax planning and tax preparation to IRS audit representation. It doesn’t just end there. We offer you bookkeeping services, payroll tax problem relief and so much more.
What are my options if my passport has been revoked?
Having your passport revoked can be a stressful situation, especially if you need to travel internationally. The IRS has the authority to revoke or deny passport renewal for individuals with a seriously delinquent tax debt. If you find yourself in this situation, here are your options:
1. Pay the Debt in Full:
The most simple way to resolve this issue is by paying off your entire tax debt. Once the IRS confirms that your tax debt is fully paid, they will notify the State Department to remove the revocation of your passport.
2. Set Up a Payment Plan:
If you cannot pay your tax debt in full, you can set up a payment plan with the IRS. There are various payment plan options available, such as an Installment Agreement or an Offer in Compromise. Once you have an approved payment plan in place, the IRS will notify the State Department to remove the revocation of your passport.
If you believe that the tax debt is incorrect, you can challenge it by filing a tax return or an amended tax return if you have already filed. If the IRS agrees with your assessment and adjusts your tax debt, they will notify the State Department accordingly.
In some cases, the State Department may issue a passport for direct return to the United States or for humanitarian reasons, even if your tax debt has not been resolved.
How Can Prime Tax Solutions Help You with Passport Revocation? Hear what our former IRS agents have to say!
Tax debts can be overwhelming, and the stakes are even higher when they impact your ability to travel. If you have seriously delinquent tax debt, the IRS can notify the U.S. State Department, which may lead to passport revocation or denial of IRS passport renewal. That’s where Prime Tax Solutions steps in. Our in-house experts have the right knowledge about circumstances like these. With 150+ years of collective IRS experience, what we bring to the table is more than just passport revocation relief. We bring you everything from tax planning and tax preparation to IRS audit representation. It doesn’t just end there. We offer you bookkeeping services, payroll tax problem relief and so much more.
How does the IRS revoke passport privileges?
The IRS has the authority to request the State Department to either deny or revoke your passport if you have a significant tax debt. This is part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which requires the IRS to notify the State Department about taxpayers with “seriously delinquent tax debt.
1. Assess Your Situation
Our team of tax experts will thoroughly evaluate your tax situation to determine the best course of action. We will review the amount of tax debt, any communication from the IRS, and your current passport status.
2. Resolve Tax Debt
The easiest way to prevent passport revocation is by resolving your tax debt. We can help you establish a payment plan with the IRS, request penalty abatement, or negotiate an IRS offer in compromise to settle your debt for less than the full amount owed.
3. Communicate with the IRS on your behalf
Effective communication with the IRS is crucial in these situations. We will handle all communication with the IRS on your behalf, ensuring that all necessary documentation is submitted promptly and accurately.
4. Restore Passport Privileges
Once your tax debt is resolved, the IRS will notify the State Department, usually within 30 days, to remove the certification of your seriously delinquent tax debt, paving the way for passport renewal or the lifting of revocation.
FAQs on IRS Passport Revocation
The IRS itself does not have the authority to revoke your passport. However, the IRS can notify the U.S. State Department if you have a seriously delinquent tax debt, which may lead to your passport being denied or revoked by the State Department
A seriously delinquent tax debt is an unpaid, legally enforceable federal tax debt totaling more than $58,500 (as of 2023, adjusted annually for inflation) for which a notice of federal tax lien has been filed, and all administrative remedies under IRC §6320 have lapsed or been exhausted, or a levy is issued.
If you have a seriously delinquent tax debt, the State Department may deny, revoke, or limit your passport. If you are overseas, the State Department may issue a limited-validity passport good only for a direct return to the United States.
The best way to avoid passport revocation or denial due to tax debt is to resolve your tax debt promptly. You can resolve your tax debt by paying it in full, entering into a payment agreement or an Offer in Compromise with the IRS, or having the IRS determine that you are not collectible.
Once you have resolved your tax debt and no longer have a seriously delinquent tax debt, the IRS will reverse the certification within 30 days and notify the State Department. It is then up to the State Department to reinstate your passport or issue a new one.
The IRS can expedite the reversal of certification in certain circumstances, such as if you live abroad, have travel scheduled within the next 45 days, or have a financial hardship due to the certification. To request expedited reversal of the certification, you should contact the IRS at 1-855-519-4965 or 1-267-941-1004 (if calling from outside the United States).
