Has the IRS Blocked Your Passport?

Imagine this: You just realized the IRS blocked your passport – after you’ve booked your flight, reserved the hotel, confirmed your business meetings, or maybe even planned a long-awaited family vacation overseas. A letter arrives from the U.S. Department of State. Your passport application has been denied. The reason? The IRS has certified that you have a “seriously delinquent tax debt.” Your travel plans—and possibly your job—are now in jeopardy.

If you’re in this position, you are not alone. As a tax attorney, I represent individuals in this exact situation. The good news: there is hope. You can get “de-certified” by the IRS and have your passport reinstated or your application processed. But you need to act fast—every day counts.

Why the IRS Has Blocked Your Passport

Under 26 U.S.C. § 7345, the IRS is authorized to notify the U.S. State Department when a taxpayer has a “seriously delinquent tax debt”—defined as a federal tax liability greater than $50,000 (as indexed for inflation), for which a notice of federal tax lien has been filed or a levy has been issued, and no timely resolution is in place. Once certified, your name is sent to the Department of State, which will deny your passport application or revoke your valid passport.

The law was designed to pressure taxpayers into resolving their tax debt. But in practice, it can unfairly disrupt lives—especially when people are ready to travel for work, family, education, or medical reasons.

The IRS Can De-Certify You—Here’s How

Here’s the most important thing to know: the IRS has the authority to reverse its certification or de-certify you. It can notify the State Department that your tax debt no longer qualifies as “seriously delinquent,” and once this happens, your passport denial or revocation can be lifted.

De-certification can happen in several ways. Each of these solutions has its own pros and cons, and the right strategy depends on your specific tax and financial situation. What matters most is that you take decisive action now.

• You enter into an Installment Agreement with the IRS that is in good standing.
• You are granted Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status due to financial hardship.
• You submit an Offer in Compromise (OIC) that is accepted or pending.
• You request innocent spouse relief under IRC § 6015.
• You pay the balance down below the threshold.

What If You Have an Urgent Travel Need?

If you have booked international travel or need to leave the country for work, the IRS can expedite your de-certification—but only in limited cases, and only if you have resolved or are actively resolving your tax issue.

Let attorney Robert Schaller expedite the IRS process by:

• Immediately negotiating and establishing an Installment Agreement
• Securing CNC status for clients facing financial hardship
• Fast-tracking Offer in Compromise submissions when appropriate
• Advocating directly with IRS Field Collection or ACS to escalate the matter
• Contacting the State Department liaison unit with proof of emergency travel

The Schaller Law Firm can expedite the process in urgent situations, backed with evidence of travel plans, financial resolution, and hardship. The IRS can block your passport; but the IRS can also remove the certification within 24 to 72 hours in truly emergent cases—but only if the correct documentation and strategy are submitted quickly and correctly.

Why You Shouldn’t Try This Alone

IRS collections is a complex and bureaucratic process. You only get one chance to make a first impression with the IRS and the U.S. Department of State. Submitting an incomplete or incorrect request, or failing to negotiate the right resolution, can delay your case or shut down your options entirely.

As an experienced tax attorney and registered CPA, I know how to speak the IRS’s language. I can assess your case, determine the best legal and financial path forward, and directly negotiate on your behalf. I’ve helped clients from all walks of life restore their passport eligibility—business executives, contractors, parents traveling to visit children, and even missionaries headed abroad for service work.

Time Is Not on Your Side—Act Now

Once you receive a certification letter or a passport denial, every hour matters. Processing times, even for expedited requests, are tight—and international travel plans don’t wait. The IRS won’t take the first step—you must. And if you ignore the situation, you’ll remain blocked from traveling indefinitely.

By taking swift, strategic action now, you can turn a devastating roadblock into a manageable resolution. In many cases, you can keep your passport or have it reinstated in time for your scheduled departure. The key is knowing what to say to the IRS—and how to say it.

Ready to Fight for Your Right to Travel?

If you’ve received a letter from the State Department or IRS about a seriously delinquent tax debt, don’t panic. You may still be able to restore your passport and save your travel plans.

Contact my office today for a confidential consultation. I’ll review your IRS account, evaluate your options, and—if the case qualifies—work quickly to negotiate de-certification with the IRS. We’ve helped others travel again. We can help you too.

Call now—because time is running out, and your flight won’t wait.

Contact me now for a confidential Zoom consultation. Let’s turn that denial into an approval—and restore your freedom to move forward.

Attorney Robert Schaller provides legal services to clients whose passport applications have been denied due to seriously delinquent taxes. He offers services that include Decertification of Seriously Delinquent Status, Offer in Compromise, Installment Agreements, and Innocent Spouse tax relief. Robert strives to offer clients a fresh start in life debt-free of IRS taxes. Zoom conferencing available. Call for a free consultation: 630-655-1301.