Can I Lose My Passport if I Owe Taxes?

Yes — if you have a "seriously delinquent tax debt" (over $62,000 in 2024, adjusted for inflation, including penalties and interest), the IRS can certify your debt to the State Department, which can deny you a new passport, revoke your existing one, or refuse to renew it. You'll receive a Notice CP508C before the IRS certifies your debt, giving you an opportunity to resolve the issue. Resolving the debt — by paying in full, entering an installment agreement, submitting an OIC, or requesting Currently Not Collectible status — will prompt the IRS to reverse the certification. If you travel internationally for work and owe back taxes, addressing the debt before it reaches the certification threshold is critical.