In December 2015, legislation went into effect that requires the IRS to provide a list of names to the State Department of individuals with “
seriously delinquent tax debt” (more than $50,000 in
unpaid federal taxes, including interest and penalties). These individuals, if their tax debt is not resolved (pays the tax in full, enters into an installment agreement, an offer in compromise with the IRS or a timely request for collection due process hearing), are at risk of having their U.S. passports revoked within the next few months. The legislation requires that the State Department to refuse to issue new passports and provides them with discretion to revoke currently issued passports.
The IRS recently announced that it would begin sending IRS Letters 508C, notice of certification of seriously delinquent federal tax debt to the State Department, to the taxpayer’s last-known address. The letter will inform the taxpayer that the IRS has certified him/her as owing “seriously delinquent tax debt.” At that time, the IRS will also send the certification to the State Department.
The IRS reports that the State Department will take action within 90 days.
