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Unpaid Taxes Could Jeopardize Your Passport
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Fallen behind on your taxes? In addition to liens and wage garnishments, you might face another problem – loss of your passport. According to the IRS, those who are “seriously delinquent” on their taxes might have passport applications or renewals denied or even have their current passport revoked. To show that they are serious, the IRS has begun sending certifications to the Department of State early this year of those with unpaid taxes.
Behind Only $1,000? Do No Worry
The good news is that the government is not going after small-time delinquents. Instead, the baseline for being “seriously delinquent” is currently defined as being more than $50,000 behind in taxes. This amount includes the primary debt as well as any interest and penalties. Furthermore, the IRS must have already filed its Notice of Federal Tax Lien.
The authorization to revoke passports was contained in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, called “FAST,” that was passed in 2015, under the Obama Administration. Fortunately, citizens can avoid any negative consequences by fully paying their debt or entering into a compromise agreement. Also, those requesting innocent spouse relief can avoid the harsh consequences if their appeal is pending.
The law has some exemptions:
- People in bankruptcy
- People living in federally-declared disaster areas
- People serving in combat zones
- Victims of identity theft that is tax related
What To Do if You are Behind
If you have received a notice, you should not immediately panic. However, you do need to address your tax debt. The IRS will send you a notice at about the same time that it informs the Department of State that you are seriously delinquent. As a result, you might not have a lot of time to act. Currently, the U.S. government has said that it is not revoking passports, merely denying renewals and applications. However, they could change their mind, even if you are out of the country.
To act fast, you can contact the IRS to discuss entering into an installment agreement or making an offer in compromise. Contact a tax attorney who can help you in this process. If you are appealing a tax levy, you should also be protected, but you should consult with a tax attorney just in case. If you think the IRS issued a certification in error, you can file suit in a federal district court or Tax Court.
The government is unlikely to halt the policy. According to CBS News, as of July 2018, the IRS has managed to collect about $11.5 million from 220 people. One person even paid over $1 million in unpaid taxes to prevent their passport from being revoked.
Contact Us with Your Immigration Related Questions
At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, we stay on top of immigration changes so that you do not have to. As one of Chicago’s premier immigration law firms, we can consult with you or your business to help you handle all immigration issues that pop up. To find out more about how we can help, please contact us to schedule a consultation.
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My aunt was recently detained by ICE and sent to El Paso, Texas to the East Montana Detention Facility. This place is essentially a prison in the middle of the desert, and the majority of the detainees here get deported. My family and I interviewed a dozen immigration attorneys around the country to help my aunt, and we decided to hire Kevin Raica, an attorney with Kriezelman Burton and Associates.…
Our case was very difficult, and at times it felt like there was no way out. My wife was detained for a long period of time, and it was an extremely challenging experience for our family. Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC truly changed our situation. I would especially like to thank our attorney, Brittni Rivera, as well as Natalia. They were attentive, honest, and always ready to help. It was…
I cannot recommend Kevin Raica highly enough. He helped me successfully obtain my U.S. green card, and the entire process was smooth and stress-free because of his expertise and dedication. From start to finish, Kevin was professional, organized, and extremely knowledgeable about immigration law. He made sure every document was prepared correctly and took the time to explain each step clearly. Anytime I had questions, he responded promptly and made…
Great experience with this attorney office. They helped me with my I-751 waiver after divorce. Kevin was very professional, and supported me through the interview. Everything went smoothly and my case was approved. Highly recommend!
We contacted Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, based on a recommendation, when my wife was detained by ICE. Attorney Khiabett Osuna handled our case, and it turned out to be the right choice. From the very beginning, she proved herself to be a caring and competent professional, clearly explaining the process. You can tell she's truly invested in each case and achieving results for her clients. We've also heard of…
I would like to express my gratitude to Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and especially to attorney Khiabett Osuna, who handled my case. I contacted them based on a recommendation and have never regretted it. From the very beginning, she demonstrated high professionalism. I could tell she was genuinely committed to the outcome and was doing everything possible to protect her client.
Mr. Kriezelman, Mr. Burton and Ms. Erin Cobb, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for handling my case. Your knowledge and dedication to my case is truly appreciated. Thank you.
I highly recommend Brittni Rivera. We are very grateful to her and the entire team at Kriezelman Burton & Associates. Your dedication, responsiveness, and compassion made an enormous difference during an incredibly difficult time. Serving as the liaison between Brittni Rivera and our friend in ICE detention, I saw firsthand how tirelessly she worked guiding us through the process, answering every question, and never losing sight of the humanity at…
Andrea C. Ochoa is truly the best of the best. ❤️ Our family went through one of the most difficult and frightening experiences of our lives when Feruz was detained by ICE. We felt lost, scared, and unsure of what would happen next. From the very beginning, Andrea brought us not only her professionalism and deep legal knowledge, but also something even more important — hope. She guided us through…
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