from
(snip)"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”."(snip)
While the specifics of this bill are still sketchy, one thing is clear. The US gov't is starting to get VERY concerned about the number of high earning Americans who are starting to 'permanently' leave the country as the arguable result of the rising tax burden.
It is known for a fact, via the wording of a different law, that 'unrealized' tax obligations ( i.e. potential capital gains taxes due on unsold stock shares or unsold real estate ) will soon stop you at the border ... unless these 'unrealized' tax obligations have first been paid via a 'deemed sale'.
It also remains unclarified whether delinquent student loan balances, which are collectible through the IRS ( i.e. siezure of tax refunds and/or garnishment of wages ) will fall under the provisions of this bill !!!



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