If flying abroad is on your to-do list, then you better hope you’re on good terms with the IRS.
This spring, the agency started enforcing a new rule and began denying passports to delinquent taxpayers who owed more than $51,000.
The rule, which the IRS began to elaborate on more this month, may affect as many as 362,000 Americans.
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In the future, the IRS says it may ask the State Department to revoke passports of taxpayers who are delinquent, but for now, is mainly denying passports up for renewal, the Wall Street Journal reports.
The Journal breaks down the new rule, step by step for taxpayers.
There are some exceptions.
Taxpayers who have filed for bankruptcy, are in a federally declared disaster area or are a victim of identity theft aren’t subject to the rule. Also, if you owe more than $51,000 in taxes but already are on a payment plan with the IRS, your passport isn’t at risk under the program.
For a full list of exceptions and rule details, visit the IRS website.
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