I have read that there is a new law, regulation, or stipulation that they run a check and if you owe any unpaid taxes, your new passport will be denied.

I do know of Americans in Thailand that this could be a problem for.

I wonder what happens if you apply for a new passport, it is denied and you are not in America at the time.

If I recall, the last time I applied for a new passport, I had to turn in my old passport with the application.

Does this mean you could be stuck in a foreign country with no passport at all?

This is pending legislation, and not current law. The proposed law states that any US citizen with outstanding tax debt in excess of $50,000 will have their passport flagged and use of the passport denied.

I have read that there is a new law, regulation, or stipulation that they run a check and if you owe any unpaid taxes, your new passport will be denied.

I do know of Americans in Thailand that this could be a problem for.

I wonder what happens if you apply for a new passport, it is denied and you are not in America at the time.

If I recall, the last time I applied for a new passport, I had to turn in my old passport with the application.

Does this mean you could be stuck in a foreign country with no passport at all?

This is pending legislation, and not current law. The proposed law states that any US citizen with outstanding tax debt in excess of $50,000 will have their passport flagged and use of the passport denied.

Sorry for the repetition. I did not read far enough into the topic.

Why not go on US Embassy in Thailand website and you'll have every detail spelled out for you? Ten times easier than asking here, and the info is accurate and reliable ... unlike a lot of what you'll be told here.

Why not go on US Embassy in Thailand website and you'll have every detail spelled out for you? Ten times easier than asking here, and the info is accurate and reliable ... unlike a lot of what you'll be told here.

This is lifted from the US embassy website. Your challenge is to spot the error .................

"Income Affidavit

The Thai government requires all U.S. citizens with Thai retirement visas to verify their income when they renew their retirement visa annually. Please print out this income affidavit (PDF 23KB) form to complete by hand or complete this income affidavit online then print it out. Please remember not to sign the form before you come to the American Citizen Services Unit. You will need to sign it in front of a designated officer."

Websites, even US Embassy websites are not always an accurate source of information

And that is not the only error on official website(s) - but in general it is a good idea to check and read twice as there is a lot of current and correct information available on them.

This is saying 4-6 weeks to process on the form unless additional $60 'expedition' fee is paid, on top of the $110 for the passport. $195 total including the magical $25 extra that is appearing somewhere unmarked. Is that realistic?

Ummm, Yes - you want faster service, you pay for it, simple as that.........I equate it to the difference to a Business class seat and Economy on the same airplane.

This is saying 4-6 weeks to process on the form unless additional $60 'expedition' fee is paid, on top of the $110 for the passport. $195 total including the magical $25 extra that is appearing somewhere unmarked. Is that realistic?

Ummm, Yes - you want faster service, you pay for it, simple as that.........I equate it to the difference to a Business class seat and Economy on the same airplane.

No you do not pay those charges at an Embassy. Those are US fee's for application through passport office - it is not charged overseas.

Did mine last year. Very easy process...don't fret over it. Also ask for letter to have all Thai stamps transferred. Hardest part was getting the appointment. After app it took about 2 weeks to get it in the mail. They give you receipt for passport that acts as your passport. Do not loose it!

A U.S. passport can now be revoked or denied if the holder has a "seriously delinquent tax debt." See 26 USC 7345, enacted December, 2015.

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=%28title:26%20section:7345%20edition:prelim%29

Note that in addition to the $50,000 threshold, the tax debt must have been formally assessed, and subject to either a levy or notice of tax lien.

It's quite possible that the bureaucracy hasn't really implemented this yet, I don't know.