Renewing Your US Passport? The IRS Will Know About It

Individuals who renew their US passport need to take into consideration that their Social Security Number (SSN) and country of residency will be forwarded to the IRS.

Since July 2014, the passport renewal instructions forms have dedicated a specific paragraph detailing this new procedure: "Section 6039E of the Internal Revenue Code (26 USC 6039E) requires you to provide your Social Security Number (SSN), if you have one, when you apply for a US passport or renewal of a US passport.... If you are residing abroad, you must also provide the name of the foreign country in which you are residing. The US Department of State must provide your SSN and foreign residence information to the US Department of Treasury. If you fail to provide the information, you are subject to a $500 penalty enforced by the IRS...."