Q: I am a US citizen. Can I get a passport if I owe$22k to the IRS support arrears?
I’m looking to travel to Columbia to meet with my fiancé in September for a couple of weeks and return to Colombia end of December to spend New Year’s Eve with my fiancé and get married
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A:
If you owe $22,000 to the IRS, it’s important to understand how that might affect your ability to get a U.S. passport. Generally, the government can deny or revoke a passport if you owe $59,000 or more in “seriously delinquent” tax debt, including penalties and interest. Since your debt is below this threshold, your passport application should not be automatically denied for this reason.
However, if your tax debt has been referred to the State Department by the IRS as "seriously delinquent," even a lower amount could cause issues. You should check whether your debt has been certified to the State Department, which can happen under specific circumstances. If it hasn’t, you’re likely in the clear to apply for a passport and plan your travels to Colombia.
Before traveling, it might be a good idea to contact the IRS to verify the status of your debt and confirm there are no restrictions on your passport eligibility. Being proactive can help you avoid surprises. If everything is fine with your application, you can focus on enjoying your trips and preparing for your wedding.
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