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In late 2015, Congress passed The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST) into law. This law allows the IRS and State Department to refuse to issue a Passport if the taxpayer has a seriously delinquent tax debt. The law also permits the IRS and State Department to revoke a taxpayer’s Passport for these same delinquent tax debts. To be considered a seriously delinquent tax debt, the tax debt must total more than $51,000.

While some taxpayers may not think they have unpaid taxes near the $51,000 threshold, the amount includes penalties, interest, and assessed taxes. These added amounts could easily increase a taxpayer’s tax liability above $51,000.

Enforcement began in February 2018 and the IRS has been actively alerting the State Department of individuals who owe more than the threshold. The IRS expects to have a complete list of taxpayers who fall into this category to the State Department by the end of the year. As of now, the State Department has only been denying Passport applications and has not revoked an active Passport. However, revocation could happen at any time and a taxpayer who tries to renew a Passport will be denied.

Individuals who owe the IRS unpaid taxes can contact Tracy Derteen, Esq. at (330) 253-9195 (tlderteen@bmdllc.com) to discuss all available options to address the tax liability or other tax matters.