Can you get a passport if you owe taxes? There may be a question on your mind. According to your financial situation, the answer is either yes or no. What happens if you owe the IRS money? This is a reasonable question to ask if you are currently in the position of owing taxes. The correct response is dependent on the total amount of your financial obligations. If you are determined to owe “seriously overdue” back taxes in the amount of $53,000 or more, the Internal Revenue Service will not allow you to renew your passport or apply for a new one. This restriction applies to both renewals and applications. In light of these circumstances, the State Department has the authority to revoke the passport you are currently using. If this describes your situation, it is important to work out a strategy for repaying your tax debt before you make any reservations for flights outside of the nation. If your tax obligation is not regarded to be substantially late, then you are eligible to apply for a passport even if you have unpaid tax liabilities. This post will cover how to determine whether you are disqualified from obtaining a passport due to your back taxes, as well as how to renew or apply for a new passport while you still owe debt to the IRS. We will also cover how to determine whether you are disqualified from obtaining a passport due to your back taxes.

What you need to know about passports and back taxes

Passport rights can be restricted by the government as a means of ensuring that taxes are paid. Passports and taxes are linked in a way that allows the IRS a way to encourage people to pay up in order to be able to travel outside of the United States. Whenever the IRS believes that you are seriously behind on back taxes, the agency will contact the Department of the Treasury. Passport applications are subject to denial by the State Department once this step has been completed. Your passport may be revoked by the State Department if you fail to pay your tax bill, in which case you would be unable to leave the country.

There are exceptions to the rule, however, when it comes to tax debt. Average tax debt as of January 2020 is $16,849, which falls significantly below the IRS’s definition of serious delinquent. For the vast majority of people who inquire, “Can you acquire a passport if you owe taxes?” the answer is yes. There are certain people who can’t use their passports because of their tax obligations, however. It is possible to get your passport reinstated if you are unable to travel due of unpaid back taxes. They are experts in tax debt reduction and can assist you in working out a payment plan with the IRS. They may even be able to help you lower your repayment obligations in some situations. It is crucial to know the conditions under which passports might be denied or canceled because of tax debt in order to decide your own situation.

A New Passport Application If You Owe Taxes

Is there a way for you to obtain your passport if you are delinquent on your taxes? Even if you owe a significant amount in unpaid taxes, it is feasible to obtain a new passport, depending on your circumstances. In order to get a new passport, you will need to pay your taxes if you are considered substantially delinquent. A payment plan, an Offer in Compromise, or a lump-sum payment made through a tax amnesty program can all be viable options. In the event that you are no longer considered to be substantially delinquent, the IRS will revoke its certification. Typically, this is accomplished within 30 days of receiving payment. However, in some cases, the IRS may be able to expedite this process. As soon as your passport privileges are restored, you can apply for a new passport. Passport applications that have been put on hold due to tax debt status will resume where they left off if you are within the 90-day deadline. New passport application process if you have not yet done so because of a notification of serious delinquency in your application.

The Process of Renewing Your Passport If You Owe Back Taxes

If you are trying to renew your passport but have outstanding tax liabilities, there are several critical measures that you must do, including the following:

• Take precautions to ensure that you are not a major offender (otherwise, your application for renewal will be denied or put on hold).
• If you are badly behind on your taxes, you need to get in touch with a tax professional and begin the process of negotiating a tax resolution with the IRS as soon as possible.
• Please provide the requested information and documents so that your passport can be renewed (Form DS-82, current passport, photo, etc.)
• Send in the renewal application via mail.

If you are considered substantially behind with your taxes and your request to renew your passport is denied, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will require that you begin settling your tax debt before you may take any further steps.

Passport and Back Taxes FAQ

Can I travel if I owe

It’s possible that you’re asking, “Can I travel if I owe taxes?” The answer to that question is “maybe.” It is legal for the Department of State to impose travel restrictions on individuals who have unpaid tax liabilities. On the other hand, these actions are normally reserved for the people who fall into the category of having a tax obligation that is badly behind. If you have a pressing matter that requires you to travel outside the United States and you have seriously delinquent back taxes, you should make arrangements to pay all or a portion of your taxes as soon as possible (there are a number of tax relief programs for which you may be able to qualify). If you have seriously delinquent back taxes, you should not travel outside the United States until you have paid all or a portion of your taxes.

Is It Possible to Get a Passport Even If You Owe Money to the Internal Revenue Service?

If you owe unpaid taxes, you may be denied a passport. This is a possibility. In addition to having your application for a new passport rejected, you also run the risk of having your renewal request rejected. On the other hand, there is considerable wiggle room in terms of how these measures are carried out. Instead of immediately rejecting your application, it will be held for consideration for the next three months. You will now have more time to investigate whether the determination that you are substantially delinquent is accurate or to negotiate a payment plan with the Internal Revenue Service.

Does the Internal Revenue Service Have the Authority to Put a Hold on Your Passport?

There is a possibility that your current passport could be revoked or that it could be delayed. When you make plans for repayment with the IRS, whether that be paying in full or setting up a payment plan, the hold will be withdrawn. Arrangements for repayment include both paying the total amount due and setting up a payment plan.

If you have unpaid taxes in the United States, are you allowed to leave the country?

If your tax bill isn’t so far behind that it’s regarded extremely delinquent, then you can still leave the nation as long as you have a passport that’s still valid. It is important to keep in mind that if you now have a significant amount of tax debt that has not been paid, it may be just a matter of time until you reach the point where your tax obligation is considered extremely delinquent. If you have significant travel plans coming up in the near future with a mounting tax debt, you should seriously consider making plans to fix your unpaid taxes in order to avoid any disruptions to your travel plans. We can help you pay your taxes and get a passport if you require one.

What Disqualifies You from Getting a Passport?

Is it possible to be denied a passport application if you owe money to the government? Yes. However, in addition to this, there are a great number of additional potential obstacles that could prevent your vacation plans from being realized. In addition to having your application for a passport turned down if you have unpaid taxes, you could also be disqualified if any of the following apply to you:

• There is an active arrest warrant out for your arrest, and it was issued by the state or the federal government.
• You must continue to live in the United States in order to fulfill one of the requirements of your parole or probation.
• You are more than $2,500 behind in child support payments that you are obligated to make (Unless you have an arrangement with your state agency)
• You are wanted for committing a felony in another country, and the warrant was issued there.
• You are in default on some government debts.
• You are serving time in a correctional facility at this time.

Let’s get back to the main question at hand, which is, “If you owe back taxes, are you allowed to get a passport?” Now that you have a better understanding of all the factors that could be considered in denying or revoking your passport, let’s get back to the main question at hand, which is, “If you owe back taxes, are you allowed to get a passport?” The answer to this question is “yes,” according to many people.

Can you get a passport if you owe taxes?

A new legislation that went into effect years ago gave the Internal Revenue Service more authority over your passport. However, if you are currently enrolled in a payment plan, there is a possibility that you will still be able to obtain a passport.

What you need to know about the Internal Revenue Service, taxes, and your passport can be found below if you owe money to the IRS but are not already enrolled in a payment plan.

When Can the IRS Take Your Passport?

Historically, the answer to the question “Can you acquire a passport if you owe taxes?” was “yes,” at least the majority of the time. However, this is no longer the case.

However, beginning in this year, the Internal Revenue Service will start notifying the State Department of any tax debts that are badly behind in payment. The term “certification” refers to this procedure. You will not be allowed to proceed if the State Department gets a certification from the Internal Revenue Service. You will not be given a new passport to collect (or a passport renewal).

And it’s possible that you won’t even be able to use the passport you already have. According to IRS Form 7345, they do have the authority to restrict its usage or even completely revoke it.

The Internal Revenue Service is only able to validate tax debt under the following circumstances:

• Your tax debt totals $50,000 or more. (Despite appearances, this is not a very generous offer. The threshold of $50,000 includes interest and penalties, all of which can quickly add up to a significant amount.
• If you have already had your Collection Due Process hearing in accordance with IRC 6320, or if you have lost your opportunity to do so, OR if the Internal Revenue Service has filed a notice of federal tax lien against you,
• You are currently subject to a levy that was issued by the IRS.

Even if you have a financial obligation to the IRS, it is possible for you to obtain a passport if any of the following conditions are met:

• You have successfully negotiated the terms of an installment agreement, and you are making payments as stipulated.
• You’ve reached a compromise with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the debt, or you’ve reached a settlement agreement with the Justice Department regarding the debt.
• You have been informed by the IRS that a levy or lien will be placed against your property, but you have asked for a Collection Due Process hearing.
• You have asked for “Innocent Spouse Relief,” and as a result, the Internal Revenue Service has agreed to put a hold on any collection effort involving you.

How to Find Out if You Owe the IRS

If you owe the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at least fifty thousand dollars and they are at the stage where they are ready to confiscate your property with a lien or a levy, then you probably already know that you have tax difficulties.

In addition, if the IRS intends to take action against your passport, you will receive a notification in the mail on this matter.

However, if you are unsure how much you owe, the following instructions will help you determine it:

• To view your tax account, individual taxpayers can either call the IRS at 1 (800) 829-1040 or use the online service provided by the IRS.
• Call 1-800-829-4933 if you are a taxpayer for a business.
• Dial (267) 941-1000 if you are located outside of the United States.

What to Do if You Owe the IRS And Need a Passport

It’s safe to say that the Internal Revenue Service is not the most popular federal agency. However, they do provide a number of options for taxpayers to regain favor in their eyes, which is a positive thing.

The following recommendations may be helpful if you owe money to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) but are unable to pay it back at this time:

7 Options to Consider When You Can’t Pay Your Tax Bill in Full
5 Good Solutions When You Can’t Pay Your Taxes

Having said that, if the Internal Revenue Service is going to come after your passport, the quickest answer (other than paying the sum in full right now) is probably going to be to set up an installment plan. Keep in mind that you can obtain a passport even if you pay for it using a payment plan as long as you honor all of your obligations to make payments on time.

How can I get a passport if I owe taxes

Find an expert to assist you in taking the measures necessary to address your tax debt if you need to apply for, renew, or use your passport but are prevented from doing so because you owe money to the government. Tax professionals will guide you through the complicated topic of back taxes and their repercussions, and they will help you choose a tax debt resolution that is suitable for your unique circumstances. You may be able to negotiate more favorable terms for the repayment of your debt and reduce the total amount that you are needed to pay, including any applicable interest and penalties, with the assistance of a tax specialist.