Can you go on a cruise if you owe back taxes?
Asked by: Ms. Karina Rice | Last update: January 6, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (58 votes)
If you owe the IRS, your travel plans could be put on hold. In cases of seriously delinquent back taxes, the IRS has the legal authority to ask the State Department to deny your passport application or revoke your current passport. Don't let tax debt ruin your travel plans.
Can I go on a cruise if I owe taxes?
If a taxpayer currently has a valid passport, State may revoke the passport or limit a taxpayer's ability to travel outside the United States. When the IRS certifies a taxpayer to State as owing a seriously delinquent tax debt, the taxpayer receives a Notice CP508C from the IRS.
Can you travel if you owe back taxes?
By law, the IRS will certify taxpayers with seriously delinquent tax debts to the State Department for specific actions regarding their passports. Generally, the State Department will not issue passports to taxpayers after receiving their delinquent debt certification from the IRS.
Can I travel if I haven't filed taxes?
You'll have to wait until the IRS “decertifies” your tax debt status before you can travel. The law says the IRS should decertify you within 30 days after you're back in good standing.
What can happen if you owe back taxes?
If you're not able to pay the tax you owe by your original filing due date, the balance is subject to interest and a monthly late payment penalty. There's also a penalty for failure to file a tax return, so you should file timely even if you can't pay your balance in full.
What to do if you owe back taxes to the IRS
Does the IRS forgive tax debt after 10 years?
The IRS generally has 10 years from the assessment date to collect unpaid taxes. The IRS can't extend this 10-year period unless the taxpayer agrees to extend the period as part of an installment agreement to pay tax debt or a court judgment allows the IRS to collect unpaid tax after the 10-year period.
What is the penalty for owing back taxes?
There is a penalty of 0.5% per month on the unpaid balance. The penalty is reduced to 0.25% per month on the unpaid balance for individuals who file on time and have an approved payment plan. Action required: Complete an online payment agreement, call the IRS at (800) 829-1040, or get an expert to handle it for you.
Can you travel if you don't pay taxes?
Seriously delinquent tax debt is your unpaid, federal tax debt which includes interest and penalties. If the Secretary of the Treasury let us know you have seriously delinquent tax debt, we cannot issue a U.S. passport to you. We may also revoke your valid U.S. passport.
What will stop you from getting a passport?
Some reasons to deny a passport include: A valid, unsealed federal warrant of arrest. A federal or state criminal court order. A condition of parole or probation forbidding departure from the United States (or the jurisdiction of the court)
How many years can you go without filing taxes?
For example, the IRS may go back further than six years if the taxpayer has a long history of tax payment noncompliance or income from illegal sources. There is generally a 10-year time limit on collecting taxes, penalties, and interest for each year you were not filing taxes.
Can you get a passport with unfiled taxes?
Applying for a New Passport If You Owe Back Taxes
While it depends on your circumstances, it is possible to get a new passport, even if you owe a large amount in back taxes. If you want to apply for a new passport but are considered seriously delinquent, you will need to figure out a way to pay your taxes.
How do I know if my passport is flagged?
Extended questioning can be a sign that you've been flagged for further inspection. Secondary Inspection: If you're directed to secondary inspection upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry, it could indicate that you've been flagged for additional scrutiny.
Can you still travel if you have debt?
With the right plan, the answer is yes! It's all about finding the balance and creating a plan because the last thing you want is to fall deeper into debt. If you think travelling may not be feasible in the short term because you must tackle your debt first, then you can make it a long-term goal instead!
Can the IRS stop you from traveling?
If you are a seriously delinquent tax debtor, the IRS will first send you a notice about your outstanding tax bill. It's when you don't do anything about your debt that the IRS eventually notifies the State Department to restrict your international travel and passport renewal.
What is considered seriously delinquent tax debt?
IRS Definition
Seriously delinquent tax debt is an individual's unpaid, legally enforceable federal tax debt totaling more than $51,000* (including interest and penalties) for which a: Notice of federal tax lien has been filed and all administrative remedies under IRC § 6320 have lapsed or been exhausted or.
What happens if I don't pay balance on my cruise?
If you don't pay off the remaining balance by the final payment date — usually two to three months before embarkation day — the cruise line will cancel your reservation, and you won't be allowed to sail.
How to check if your passport is blocked?
If you need to verify whether your US passport has been cancelled or revoked, contact the State Department by calling the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778.
Can you get a passport if you have debt collection?
Can you get a passport if you have debt collections? Yes, having debt collections alone does not automatically prevent you from obtaining a passport. However, certain federal debts, such as owing substantial back taxes certified by the IRS, could result in passport restrictions.
Can you go on a cruise if you owe the IRS money?
If you owe the IRS, your travel plans could be put on hold. In cases of seriously delinquent back taxes, the IRS has the legal authority to ask the State Department to deny your passport application or revoke your current passport. Don't let tax debt ruin your travel plans.
What will prevent you from getting a passport?
Certain court orders, being convicted of a felony, or if you're wanted on an arrest warrant, can also result in a passport denial. A convicted felon you would also need to check with their parole office before applying for a passport.
What happens if you don't pay taxes abroad?
US citizens living abroad who fail to file US taxes risk passport denial, penalties, and even criminal charges. The IRS charges penalties for both late filing and late payments.
What happens if you never pay back taxes?
If you filed on time but didn't pay all or some of the taxes you owe by the deadline, you could face interest on the unpaid amount and a failure-to-pay penalty. The failure-to-pay penalty is equal to one half of one percent per month or part of a month, up to a maximum of 25 percent, of the amount still owed.
What is the IRS 6 year rule?
6 years - If you don't report income that you should have reported, and it's more than 25% of the gross income shown on the return, or it's attributable to foreign financial assets and is more than $5,000, the time to assess tax is 6 years from the date you filed the return.
What do I do if I owe back taxes?
- Can you pay your balance now? ...
- Apply online for a payment plan.
- See if you're eligible for an offer in compromise.
- If you can't afford to pay because of your financial condition, you can ask us to temporarily delay collection.