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Owe The IRS? Bill Would Suspend Passport Rights For Delinquent Taxpayers

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout: Debate & Discussion' started by Hightop, Apr 4, 2012.

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  1. Hightop

    Hightop Member

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    Taxes....civilized society.....

    http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012...sport-travel-rights-for-delinquent-taxpayers/

    LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A bill authored by a Southland lawmaker that could potentially allow the federal government to prevent any Americans who owe back taxes from traveling outside the U.S. is one step closer to becoming law.

    Senate Bill 1813 was introduced back in November by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Los Angeles) to “reauthorize Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and for other purposes” .

    After clearing the Senate on a 74 – 22 vote on March 14, SB 1813 is now headed for a vote in the House of Representatives, where it’s expected to encounter stiffer opposition among the GOP majority.

    In addition to authorizing appropriations for federal transportation and infrastructure programs, the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act” or “MAP-21″ includes a provision that would allow for the “revocation or denial” of a passport for anyone with “certain unpaid taxes” or “tax delinquencies”.

    Section 40304 of the legislation states that any individual who owes more than $50,000 to the Internal Revenue Service may be subject to “action with respect to denial, revocation, or limitation of a passport”.

    The bill does allow for exceptions in the event of emergency or humanitarian situations or limited return travel to the U.S., or in cases when any tax debt is currently being repaid in a “timely manner” or when collection efforts have been suspended.

    However, there does not appear to be any specific language requiring a taxpayer to be charged with tax evasion or any other crime in order to have their passport revoked or limited — only that a notice of lien or levy has been filed by the IRS.

    Boxer vowed last week to push House Republicans to pass the bipartisan transportation bill that would keep the Highway Trust Fund from going bankrupt.

    “Thousands of businesses are at stake, and eventually we are talking about nearly three million jobs at stake,” she said in a statement. “There are many people on both sides of the aisle in the Senate who want to get our bill, MAP-21, passed into law, and I am going to do everything I can to keep the pressure on the Republican House to do just that.”
     
    #1 Hightop, Apr 4, 2012
  2. Major

    Major Member

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    Given that there are exceptions for emergency reasons, I don't see a particular problem with this. If you owe $50,000 in taxes, you probably shouldn't be spending money on international travel anyway.
     
    #2 Major, Apr 4, 2012
  3. juicystream

    juicystream Member

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    Agreed. Bad enough you can keep government jobs while failing to pay the IRS. Generally speaking, the U.S. government is overly friendly regarding overdue taxes.
     
    #3 juicystream, Apr 4, 2012
  4. BetterThanEver

    BetterThanEver Member

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    I wonder ow this would affect entertainers and sports celebs that travel, like Wesley Snipes. Would it increase repayment of taxes by such folks or just force them to give up on lucractive projects or concert tours outside the US?
     
    #4 BetterThanEver, Apr 4, 2012
  5. Dairy Ashford

    Dairy Ashford Member

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    I'll admit I don't know why, but I don't like this bill.
     
    #5 Dairy Ashford, Apr 4, 2012
  6. bnb

    bnb Member

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    It seems it gives them the authority to revoke a passport, but does not automatically require it. So it's an active step needed. Looks like it's a measure to prevent people from fleeing tax debt...hopefully there are safeguards/remedies to prevent it from being overused.

    If you travel for business seems counterproductive to cut this off because you owe a debt (potentially one that you dispute).
     
    #6 bnb, Apr 4, 2012
  7. MoonDogg

    MoonDogg Member

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    That's what concerns me. It can be applied selectively on the whim of some gov't flunkie against whoever annoys them.
     
    #7 MoonDogg, Apr 5, 2012
  8. RocketRaccoon

    RocketRaccoon Contributing Member

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    w/o thinking about it, don't like the idea of restricting travel one bit. ONLY reason one should not be able to travel is if that person is in jail. If you're free from jail, you're free to travel.
     
    #8 RocketRaccoon, Apr 5, 2012
  9. Rashmon

    Rashmon Member

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    Thanks again to highcrop for highlighting another instance of good legislation.
     
    #9 Rashmon, Apr 5, 2012
  10. Major

    Major Member

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    So if someone is out on bail pending a murder trial, you think they should be free to flee the country?
     
    #10 Major, Apr 5, 2012
  11. RocketRaccoon

    RocketRaccoon Contributing Member

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    Do I need to write out a essay to put an end to these types of questions? Do you really feel better that you can pull this question out of your ass?

    Of course I don't think people on bail with court orders to stay can leave.

    Sheeesh, Major.
     
    #11 RocketRaccoon, Apr 5, 2012
  12. Deckard

    Deckard Blade Runner
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    I suggest that everyone make sure their passports are valid, renew them if need be, or get one if you never have. Hurry! ;-)-
     
    #12 Deckard, Apr 5, 2012
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