When applying for a passport, many people focus on the basics – if they have the proper paperwork, the funds to pay the application fees, and whether they need to expedite the process. If they can check these boxes, they hand over their application and wait for a passport based on the timeline chosen at the time of application. However, the process is not always as smooth as it seems. Have you ever thought about how your tax payments could get in the way of getting a passport? Can you get a passport if you owe taxes? Let’s find out:
Can You Get a Passport If You Owe Taxes?
In the past, pending tax payments would not interfere with the passport application process. But this changed due to a law establishing a communication and implementation path between the IRS and the State Department. According to the law, the IRS can notify the State Department about people with delinquent tax debts. They do this through a process known as certification, and once the State Department has you on this list, you will not get a passport. Moreover, you cannot renew your current passport once it expires. It gets even more complicated – you may not be able to use your passport even if it has not expired! And if you are stuck abroad and need to return to the U.S., you can only get a limited-validity passport. Once you land, the passport loses its validity, and you cannot leave the country until you clear your tax concerns.
Who Qualifies for Certification?
You may be reading this and wondering if your tax debt can land you in a situation where you cannot travel abroad. The main question arising from learning about tax matters can be: can I get a passport if I owe taxes? The truth is that not everyone undergoes certification, and it thus depends on the extent of your tax debt delinquency.
Meeting the following criteria increases your chances of not getting a passport:
- You owe $50,000 in unpaid, legally enforceable tax debts, which include income taxes, trust fund recovery penalties, business taxes and any other civil penalties you should pay. This debt undergoes yearly adjustments for inflation and can thus increase over time.
- The IRS has issued a levy against you,
- The IRS has filed a notice of federal tax lien, and you have had your Collection Due Process hearing, or
- The IRS has filed a notice of federal tax lien, and you have missed your Collection Due Process hearing.
In any of these cases, it’s best to work with an accountant who can help you find a solution.
Can you get a passport if you owe taxes? Travel Visa Pro can help you get a passport if your delinquency meets passport eligibility criteria. That’s because not all tax debt undergoes certification. Below are examples of tax debts that will not appear in your passport records:
- You will not undergo certification if you have been paying off your IRS-approved installment agreements per your agreed schedule. Many people opt to get into such agreements with the IRS, and as long as you hold up your end of the deal, you can still get a passport.
- You will not go through certification if you enter a debt repayment agreement with the Justice Department or present an offer in compromise to the IRS. If the IRS accepts the latter offer, you can still get a passport.
- You can get a passport if your debt is subject to a collection due process hearing yet to take place. The hearing outcome will affect your eligibility but applying before the process hearing can enable you to obtain a passport.
- You can avoid undergoing certification if you request innocent spouse relief. In this case, the debt collection can undergo suspension, allowing you to apply for a passport without delinquency hanging over your head.
So, even if you may owe taxes, you can still apply for a passport and get one if you have not undergone certification. And Travel Visa Pro can get you a new passport in just a few days, enabling you to leave the U.S. for travel, business, or other reasons.
Tax Delinquency Exclusions
We have noted that some people who owe taxes do not undergo certification. But can you get a passport if you owe taxes and don’t meet the non-certification requirements in the previous section? Yes! The IRS realizes that some people cannot pay taxes on time owing to several circumstances. So, as much as you may fall behind on your tax payment schedule, you may still not undergo certification if you meet the following criteria:
- You have filed for bankruptcy successfully,
- You are a victim of identity theft, which has resulted in tax debts,
- The IRS has deemed your account as not collectible owing to hardship,
- You live in a federally declared disaster area,
- You have filed an installment agreement hearing with the IRS and are yet to get an answer,
- You have presented an Offer in Compromise to the IRS and are yet to get a response,
- You have agreed with the IRS on how to pay the debt. Also, you have abided by the payment schedule,
- You are serving in a designated combat zone, or
- You are part of a contingency operation.
So, can you get a passport if you owe back taxes? In any of the cases above, you can owe the IRS money but still have the opportunity to apply for a passport. However, you should note that not all these situations are permanent. For example, if you are part of a contingency operation and owe the IRS, you will only enjoy relief while you are part of the program. Later, you will need to pay the IRS or will undergo certification. Thus, it is best to understand how long you can delay certification to avoid travel hurdles in the future.
Do You Owe the IRS?
How do I know if I owe the IRS? Most people know they owe the IRS money once they hit the $50,000 mark. After all, the IRS will notify you of any actions they plan to take against you due to unpaid debts. But if you are unsure how much you owe the IRS, it’s best to contact them, and if you’re due for certification, get your accountant involved. When it comes to how to find out how much I owe the IRS, the sooner you know, the sooner you can get a passport.
How much in back taxes can I owe to still get a passport? You can get a passport if you owe the IRS $50,000 or more. However, this amount is subject to yearly inflation adjustments and penalties. So, even if you are yet to reach the amount, you can find yourself in trouble once the IRS adds the penalties and inflationary difference.
How Can You Get a Passport If You Owe The IRS?
You may think that owing the IRS will spell doom on all your travel plans. But can you get a passport if you owe the IRS? Yes! When you qualify for certification, the IRS will notify you of your options. Technically, you will have up to 90 days to challenge the certification, which you can do by:
- Providing evidence that the certification is erroneous,
- Paying the tax debt, or
- Reaching an agreement with the IRS.
Once you do any of these, the IRS will lift the certification, allowing you to apply for a passport. You can then proceed with your application, knowing that you will get your passport within the time stated in the application.
Can the IRS revoke your passport? The IRS can revoke your passport if you do not hold up your end of the deal. For example, if you agree to pay back the debt per a schedule and don’t, it can revoke your passport rights. So, if you had previously had your certification lifted and it’s back, we can show you how to check if passport is revoked due to IRS debt.
If you wish to get your passport soon, you can always count on our expedited passport processing services, where we can get you a passport in just days. You can reach our agents at +1-833-TVP-VISA (887-8472) to get started today!
