I represent companies and individuals in the St. Louis, surrounding area and the state of Missouri who have IRS and State Tax problems that include unfiled tax returns and past-due taxes. If you are planning a vacation and it so happens that your travels will take you to a warm climate out of the country during the holidays check your passport so you can make sure that trip is a reality. The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (Fast) Act, signed into the law in December 2015 required the IRS to notify the State Department of taxpayers the IRS has certified as owing a seriously delinquent tax debt. The law also requires the State Department to deny their passport application or deny renewal of their passport. Who is a seriously delinquent taxpayer? It is someone who owes the IRS more than $52000.00 in back taxes, penalties, and interest for which the IRS has filed a Notice of Federal Tax lien and the period in which a taxpayer could challenge that has expired or the IRS has issued a levy.
The program has been successful in collecting over $1.2 billion in tax payments from taxpayers who the IRS certified to the state department as being seriously past due in tax debt. However, for a change, the IRS did something nice for taxpayers in the last couple of months making it possible for those long overdue vacations to become a reality.
The IRS temporarily suspended the passport certification procedures for anyone who had a case open with TAS, better known as the taxpayer advocate.
When the IRS certifies to the State Department that a taxpayer owes a serious delinquent tax debt, currently at $52000.00 or more it means a taxpayer can't obtain or renew a passport with the State Department. Prior to such a certification, an eligible taxpayer can obtain or renew a passport with the State Department. Mind you it takes a lot to lose a passport. Taxpayers are given plenty of opportunities and an extremely long period of time ( minimum 32 weeks) and even up to a year to work it out with the IRS before you lose your passport rights. On average taxpayers have been delinquent for close to 7 years. But the IRS being the nice government agency everyone loves still will give you a chance before it's too late. They will give you another 90 days to work with them. So how can you avoid losing your passport?
You can work out an installment agreement or provide information showing the IRS financial hardship. Many people don't believe this is possible however this tax adviser worked out an Currently Not Collectable status 48 hours before the taxpayer was to leave for a family reunion in the Carribean. Financial hardship and going to the Caribbean? Actually, a family member paid for the trip
If you or someone you know are having IRS issues with past due taxes, auditors and under examination with the IRS, please don't hesitate to call me @ 636-397-2759, email me@steveshapiroea@gmail.com. Enrolled agents are federally licensed by the Treasury department and can represent taxpayers at all administrative levels of the IRS.
Steve Shapiro, EA
620 S Benton Street
St. Charles, MO 63301
636-397-2759
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