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The IRS May Revoke Your Passport If You Have Overdue Taxes

Jan. 05, 2016
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2 min read
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The IRS May Revoke Your Passport If You Have Overdue Taxes
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Tax evasion is a major problem in the US, and while it's never a good idea to cheat the IRS, the agency is planning to make it even less appealing to do so. According to a Wall Street Journal report (that we've confirmed with the State Department), the federal government is currently working to implement a policy to revoke the international travel privileges of individuals who owe a certain amount of back taxes — WSJ reports this figure as $50,000 in unpaid federal taxes, although the State Department was unable to confirm.

The State Department provided the following statement:



On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed H.R.22 - FAST Act, which became Public Law 114-94. The FAST Act, which stands for “Fixing America's Surface Transportation,” includes provisions related to the denial and revocation of U.S. passports. Specifically, the law provides that the State Department shall not issue a passport to any individual certified by IRS as having a seriously delinquent tax debt. The State Department also may revoke any passport issued to a person certified by the IRS as having a seriously delinquent tax debt. U.S. citizens overseas who have their passport applications denied or passports revoked on this basis are eligible for a limited passport valid only for direct return to the United States. The State Department is working with the IRS to implement these provisions.
Good luck getting Global Entry without a valid passport.

Once the program is in place, anyone who owes a certain amount to the IRS may either have their passport application denied, or their passport will be revoked. If that individual is currently overseas, their passport will no longer be valid and they'll need to obtain a "limited passport," which will only be valid for a nonstop trip back to the US.

Overall, this is bad news for anyone who owes taxes, but if you have a significant tax debt, you should be working with the IRS to pay that off before spending thousands of dollars on international travel. If you think this new policy could affect you, consider reaching out to the IRS to settle your debt before this new procedure takes effect.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.