Owing taxes while applying for the citizenship

[#Brava 24]

Hey! 
 

So, I’m supposed to be applying for my citizenship soon and I have a pretty complicated tax situation. 
 

For the years of 2017 - 2018 my US citizen spouse was the only person bringing income due to my illness.  We had a pretty rough couple of years. We recently lost our house, our car and our health insurance etc. because my spouse’s business failed. We owe $30k to IRS because we weren’t able to pay our taxes since we lost all of our money. We went from making $300k - $500k a year to only making $35k. Our car was repossessed and our house was foreclosed on. We now live in a rental apartment for $750 and recently bought a used $10k car. We’ve been working closely with IRS trying to figure out how to resolve our debt. We tried to set up a payment plan with IRS but they didn’t accept it due to our income being too low. We’re now “uncollectible”. It means our income is way too low for us to be able to pay off our taxes. IRS agreed to not proceed with any collection proceedings because they know we can’t afford paying our taxes.  Realistically, we’ll never make that much money ever again. Now, my US citizen spouse in unemployed and I (the immigrant) work a retail job making $10/hour. We’re struggling financially...and now this tax debt makes us really concerned because it means that I will never be able to be a citizen because this tax debt is not gonna be resolved any time soon. We just don’t know what to do at this point...Is there any chance I can get my citizenship if I’m uncollectible? I tried to set up a payment plan but IRS is not accepting it due to our low income.

I’d appreciate any advice I can get! 
 

Thank you! 

 

[afrocraft 313]

On 11/7/2019 at 12:34 AM, #Brava said:

So, I’m supposed to be applying for my citizenship soon and I have a pretty complicated tax situation....We owe $30k to IRS because we weren’t able to pay our taxes since we lost all of our money....Is there any chance I can get my citizenship if I’m uncollectible? I tried to set up a payment plan but IRS is not accepting it due to our low income.

I'm sorry you didn't get a response to your question, and hope for the best in your financial struggles. Unfortunately, I don't have better news for you.

 

Per USCIS Policy Manual Chapter 5 Section M(2), your failure to pay the taxes you owe will likely be viewed as an "unlawful act" that prevents you from showing good moral character, and thus becoming a naturalized citizen until it is resolved. If you had an IRS-approved payment plan and can show other extenuating circumstances explaining how you got into debt with the IRS, you might have a chance. 

Edited November 13, 2019 by afrocraft