IRS Tax Problems?

Get immediate assistance with a FREE CONSULTATION from HIGHLY-RATED TAX ATTORNEYS.

Committed to Helping Our Clients Succeed

Hear about their experience working with us:

Kim Goldman

Los Angeles, California

Owed to IRS: $69,282

Only Paid : $17,905

Thankfully I came across redo tax. I was struggling with an IRS debt of about $69,000 and my life felt like it was spiraling out of control. I was just starting to pick up the pieces after the chaos of the pandemic and my divorce and I was barely surviving. The team here worked tirelessly to fix my situation and help pause collections from the IRS.

Junior Padilla

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Owed to IRS: $109,613

Only Paid : $1,434

Attorney Jason from ReDo Tax is my guardian angel.  I had a few very bad years back in 2017 struggling with family matters and gambling problems. I was back on my feet back with back taxes and fees piling up without the know how or how to do it. The Attorney listened to my entire situation and reviewed each document with me, laid out all my options, and explained the cost to benefit each one and ended up resolving most of my tax debt. 

Kevin Morant

Flint, Michigan 

Owed to IRS: $19,409

Only Paid : $304

After letting my tax debt sit for several years, I tried to clear it myself. Needless to say, it was harder than I originally thought it would be. When I got on a call with Attorney Jason, I could already tell he was going to know the ropes much better than I did. We resolved the 19k I owed the IRS much quicker than expected  with an offer in compromise. I couldn’t be happier with the process.

1. Speak to a licensed tax attorney

  • FREE of CHARGE

  • Listen to your situation confidentially

  • Gather all the information about your unique circumstances and determine if we can assist you.

2. Get an Assessment

  • Tax attorneys will carefully create a plan to address your tax issues and debt.

  • We'll explore every possible way to assist you and offer you the most cost-effective options available

  • If we're not confident in our ability to help, we'll be honest about it

3. Get a Straight Forward Quote

  • NO HIDDEN FEES

  • GET a FLAT FEE Quote

  • We only accept clients we're confident we can strongly assist. 

HOW WE CAN ASSIST

Services we offer:

Offer in compromise

Currently Non Collectible

Delay in Collection

Delinquent Payroll Taxes

Innocent Spouse Relief

Payroll Tax Debt

Back Taxes Return

IRS Tax Lien Removal

Federal Tax Lien

IRS Levies

IRS Penalty Abatement

Working with us means …

Working Directly With A Tax Attorney

No Hidden Fees

 Receive Personalized, Expert Solutions

Affordable Payments

If you have a tax problem, you need a tax attorney

Count on Redo Tax Relief Experts to pave the way towards a brighter future.

Read Our Latest Blogs

Get tips and relevant news regarding tax relief

Can You Get a Passport If You Owe Back Taxes?

Can You Get a Passport If You Owe Back Taxes?

August 21, 20244 min read

You’re planning your dream vacation, a beautiful 5-star hotel hand-picked in Palau: dreaming of its crystal-clear waters teeming with purple and pink jellyfish, a surreal and serene experience with a mai-tai in one hand, other hand shading your eyes from the blue-white rays of the sun. Ah.

When all of a sudden, you’re snapped back to reality. Some tax debts from 5 years you never paid have finally caught up to you.

When you go to renew your passport, they deny your application. What happened?

Can You Get a Passport If You Owe Back Taxes?

The question doesn’t have a simple yes or no answer. Passport denial is a lever the IRS can pull if they’ve found you particularly uncooperative in paying your taxes.

However, obtaining a passport or going through a passport renewal isn’t prohibited while you owe taxes.

The IRS may block your passport status only if you owe a significant debt and other interventions have not worked. 

How Much Can I Owe in Taxes and Still Get a Passport?

As of 2024, the IRS may certify tax debt to the State Department only if an individual's liability exceeds $62,000. The liability threshold includes the individual’s back taxes, penalties, and accrued interest. The figure is also subject to annual adjustments for inflation, which can change the amount owed every year.

Even at this threshold, the IRS may decide not to implement the measure if the taxpayer is making a good-faith effort to pay back their taxes owed. Such an effort will generally include one of the following:

  1. A confirmed offer in compromise, an agreement to pay off a lower amount of tax debt overall.

  2. Regular payments on an installment agreement.

  3. Is deemed “currently not collectible” due to hardship.

Can You Travel Internationally if You Owe Taxes?

A common question, your passport doesn’t automatically become voided when you owe taxes, even past the $62,000 threshold.

Therefore, international travel is often still possible even for those with substantial tax debts. The critical factor here is whether or not the IRS has certified the debt to the State Department. Absent such certification, your access to international travel will remain unrestricted.

However, if the IRS does choose to certify you have a seriously delinquent account to the State Department (that is, at least $62,000 owed) and it is approved, consequences may include passport revocation or limitations.

In certain instances, individuals may be issued a restricted passport solely for direct return to the United States. 

Criteria for IRS Debt Certification to the State Department

The IRS does not indiscriminately certify all tax debts. We said earlier that it is a lever they will only pull for seriously delinquent accounts. Specifically, those for whom the following is true: 

  1. Persistent non-response to payment notices and demands

  2. Failure to enter into an installment agreement or offer in compromise

  3. Non-compliance with existing payment agreement terms

  4. Neglect to file for innocent spouse relief when applicable

Not all of these factors must be present for the IRS to file to certify, but generally speaking, these are the criteria upon which the IRS relies to decide whether passport revocation or limitation is a good disincentive in this case.

Circumstances That Can Prevent Certification

Certain situations exempt tax debts from State Department notification:

  1. Active participation in an installment agreement or offer in compromise

  2. Suspension of collection due to innocent spouse relief request

  3. Pending Collection Due Process hearing

  4. Ongoing bankruptcy proceedings

These exemptions highlight the importance of engaging with the IRS and utilizing available tax resolution options.

Strategies to Prevent Passport Denial

Here are the steps you can take to avoid any passport-related complications due to your tax debt:

  1. Full Payment: Settling tax liability in full is the most direct method to avoid passport issues.

  2. Installment Agreement: If you cannot pay it back in full, you can establish a payment plan with the IRS to pay your tax debt off over time.

  3. Offer in Compromise: In many cases, negotiating a reduced settlement is possible for those facing financial hardship.

  4. Collection Due Process Hearing: If you dispute the amount of the debt, requesting a hearing can halt certain consequences, like passport denial.

  5. Maintain Communication: Simply engaging in regular contact with the IRS can often prevent escalation to debt certification.

The Fastest Way to Get Your Passport Back

If you absolutely need your passport in the near future due to emergency circumstances, the IRS provides a process for expedited decertification (see Imminent travel plans). 

To do so, you’ll likely have to plan a full debt resolution with the IRS or enter into a payment agreement, then you can request an urgent decertification. 

Professional Guidance

Given the complexity of tax debt resolution and its potential impact on passport status, consulting with a qualified tax professional may be prudent. Expert guidance can facilitate navigation through tax resolution processes and help preserve travel capabilities.

Conclusion

Owing back taxes does not disqualify you from obtaining a passport. Passport denial and revocation are only used as a last resort by the IRS in cases of extreme tax delinquency. 

With proper management of your tax obligations and keeping lines of communication open with the IRS, you will likely never face this consequence, so there is typically no need to worry about it.

passport owe taxes
Back to Blog

Send us a message

Read Our Latest Blogs

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

Can You Get a Passport If You Owe Back Taxes?

Can You Get a Passport If You Owe Back Taxes?

August 21, 20244 min read

You’re planning your dream vacation, a beautiful 5-star hotel hand-picked in Palau: dreaming of its crystal-clear waters teeming with purple and pink jellyfish, a surreal and serene experience with a mai-tai in one hand, other hand shading your eyes from the blue-white rays of the sun. Ah.

When all of a sudden, you’re snapped back to reality. Some tax debts from 5 years you never paid have finally caught up to you.

When you go to renew your passport, they deny your application. What happened?

Can You Get a Passport If You Owe Back Taxes?

The question doesn’t have a simple yes or no answer. Passport denial is a lever the IRS can pull if they’ve found you particularly uncooperative in paying your taxes.

However, obtaining a passport or going through a passport renewal isn’t prohibited while you owe taxes.

The IRS may block your passport status only if you owe a significant debt and other interventions have not worked. 

How Much Can I Owe in Taxes and Still Get a Passport?

As of 2024, the IRS may certify tax debt to the State Department only if an individual's liability exceeds $62,000. The liability threshold includes the individual’s back taxes, penalties, and accrued interest. The figure is also subject to annual adjustments for inflation, which can change the amount owed every year.

Even at this threshold, the IRS may decide not to implement the measure if the taxpayer is making a good-faith effort to pay back their taxes owed. Such an effort will generally include one of the following:

  1. A confirmed offer in compromise, an agreement to pay off a lower amount of tax debt overall.

  2. Regular payments on an installment agreement.

  3. Is deemed “currently not collectible” due to hardship.

Can You Travel Internationally if You Owe Taxes?

A common question, your passport doesn’t automatically become voided when you owe taxes, even past the $62,000 threshold.

Therefore, international travel is often still possible even for those with substantial tax debts. The critical factor here is whether or not the IRS has certified the debt to the State Department. Absent such certification, your access to international travel will remain unrestricted.

However, if the IRS does choose to certify you have a seriously delinquent account to the State Department (that is, at least $62,000 owed) and it is approved, consequences may include passport revocation or limitations.

In certain instances, individuals may be issued a restricted passport solely for direct return to the United States. 

Criteria for IRS Debt Certification to the State Department

The IRS does not indiscriminately certify all tax debts. We said earlier that it is a lever they will only pull for seriously delinquent accounts. Specifically, those for whom the following is true: 

  1. Persistent non-response to payment notices and demands

  2. Failure to enter into an installment agreement or offer in compromise

  3. Non-compliance with existing payment agreement terms

  4. Neglect to file for innocent spouse relief when applicable

Not all of these factors must be present for the IRS to file to certify, but generally speaking, these are the criteria upon which the IRS relies to decide whether passport revocation or limitation is a good disincentive in this case.

Circumstances That Can Prevent Certification

Certain situations exempt tax debts from State Department notification:

  1. Active participation in an installment agreement or offer in compromise

  2. Suspension of collection due to innocent spouse relief request

  3. Pending Collection Due Process hearing

  4. Ongoing bankruptcy proceedings

These exemptions highlight the importance of engaging with the IRS and utilizing available tax resolution options.

Strategies to Prevent Passport Denial

Here are the steps you can take to avoid any passport-related complications due to your tax debt:

  1. Full Payment: Settling tax liability in full is the most direct method to avoid passport issues.

  2. Installment Agreement: If you cannot pay it back in full, you can establish a payment plan with the IRS to pay your tax debt off over time.

  3. Offer in Compromise: In many cases, negotiating a reduced settlement is possible for those facing financial hardship.

  4. Collection Due Process Hearing: If you dispute the amount of the debt, requesting a hearing can halt certain consequences, like passport denial.

  5. Maintain Communication: Simply engaging in regular contact with the IRS can often prevent escalation to debt certification.

The Fastest Way to Get Your Passport Back

If you absolutely need your passport in the near future due to emergency circumstances, the IRS provides a process for expedited decertification (see Imminent travel plans). 

To do so, you’ll likely have to plan a full debt resolution with the IRS or enter into a payment agreement, then you can request an urgent decertification. 

Professional Guidance

Given the complexity of tax debt resolution and its potential impact on passport status, consulting with a qualified tax professional may be prudent. Expert guidance can facilitate navigation through tax resolution processes and help preserve travel capabilities.

Conclusion

Owing back taxes does not disqualify you from obtaining a passport. Passport denial and revocation are only used as a last resort by the IRS in cases of extreme tax delinquency. 

With proper management of your tax obligations and keeping lines of communication open with the IRS, you will likely never face this consequence, so there is typically no need to worry about it.

passport owe taxes
Back to Blog

FAQS

What is tax debt relief?

Tax Debt Relief is the name given to several IRS programs which can be used to clear your tax debt. This is available to many taxpayers who are often in need of reducing the burden of tax debt.

Is this IRS approved?

Absolutely. The IRS permits taxpayers to utilize tax relief programs. However, it's essential to note that both the IRS and FTC consistently caution struggling taxpayers against engaging with numerous tax relief companies. Many of these companies make false assurances and over promise to their clients, often just to collect upfront fees. This practice can mislead many individuals into believing they qualify for relief when, in reality, not every taxpayer does. The truth is, it takes a genuine expert—a tax attorney—who comprehends the intricacies of the tax code and knows how to effectively negotiate with the IRS to genuinely assist a client's best interests.

Who will work to clear my debt?

All plans and negotiations are reviewed and carried out by a tax attorney.

Are all cases taken on?

In some cases, the best course of action won’t include substantial tax relief. If our attorneys don’t believe your case can be resolved with substantial relief, we will proceed to let you know free of cost.

Do I need to hire someone?

It's possible your case is less complicated and you can directly negotiate with an IRS agent if, for example, your tax debt is very small. Otherwise, an expert may be the best option to negotiate a resolution to your tax debt.

Can the IRS take my assets?

The IRS reserves the right to seize assets to satisfy your tax debts. They can seize real estate, cars, bank accounts or other assets to clear your balance

What is the fresh start program?

Fresh Start was an IRS program which considers your individual situation for tax relief. Through this, an expert can assist in negotiating a personalized relief plan.

Do you charge for consultations?

Nope - All consultations are completely free!

Will my information remain confidential?

Any and all information you provide is strictly confidential and will only be used to carry out services you agree to.

Follow Us

Follow Us

At Redo Tax Relief, we understand that dealing with tax problems can be overwhelming and stressful. That’s why we offer personalized, confidential legal assistance to resolve your tax disputes and guide you towards financial peace of mind. Whether you're facing audits, back taxes, or any IRS-related concerns, our experts are here to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Contact Us

  • +1 855-642-6498

  • info@redotax

  • 7083 Hollywood Blvd Suite #500, Los Angeles, CA 90028

  • Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

© Copyright 2024 Redo Tax. All rights reserved.