UK Passport Renewal Question

Hello Everyone

I'm new to this forum, seems very informative.

I am a US citizen, came to the UK 10+ years ago - since then have become a naturalised UK citizen - have kept my US citizenship.

My business is in architecture and design, am self employed.  I have not done my US taxes in a while but plan to do so this year or next - at the moment my living situation is up in the air (domestic issues) and I may very well relocate to another European country in the coming year or two.

Anyways - my question is - my US passport will expire soon and I am wondering how to renew.  Some have told me that by going to the Embassy in London the IRS would be given my details and possibly swoop in, withhold my passport and give me grief for not filing in many years.  Others say it is ok and nothing will happen.

Another option would be to renew in America next time I am there as I am still registered at my family address.

Any thoughts?  I just do not want any hassle until I get to cleaning up my US tax issues.  

I need a new US passport as I have to go to America soon, so would have to find the quickest way.

I would like to add that my wife is English and I have no plans to relocate back to America or anywhere outside of the EU.

Thanks

Foxy

There have been amendments proposed in Congress to tie passport issuance to taxes but these have been dropped thus far. So you should not have trouble renewing your passport. Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to do it by mail only via the US embassy in London.

You will have to give your SSID and address so you will have to stick your head above the parapet somewhat but I've not heard of any cases where the IRS tracks down overseas citizens. The tricky part is coming in from the cold when you backfile for the missing years.

The OP may be interested in this quote from the 31 December 2012 Taxpayer Advocates Report:

"The IRS also plans to sample filing compliance of U.S. citizens abroad through direct compliance contacts and to begin sending soft notices to non-filers based on passport data from the Department of State. All U.S. passport applicants must provide a taxpayer identifying number (TIN) and identify any foreign country in which they reside. The State Department shares this information with the IRS, which can match it with its own records to verify filing compliance. Because all U.S. citizens abroad are required to file returns regardless of their residency status, the IRS plans to use soft notices to remind them of these obligations."

http://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/userfiles/file/Full-Report/Most-Serious-Problems-International-Taxpayer-Issues.pdf
(The last paragraph starting on page 270)

Although written as future actions, it does require raising your head above the parapet as Weller mentioned. If you wish to renew from the UK, I know of no other route than through an Embassy, but I could be wrong. I would also note the phrase "and identify any foreign country in which they reside." It appears if you could apply from within the US, you would still be required to state a UK (or other foreign) residence.

This article explains that passport renewal is one way the IRS may find you:
http://www.cfo2go.eu/twenty-ways-the-irs-will-find-your-yankee-clients/
Why not simply file US tax returns and stop worrying?

Another option would be to renew in America next time I am there as I am still registered at my family address.

Any thoughts?  I just do not want any hassle until I get to cleaning up my US tax issues.  

I need a new US passport as I have to go to America soon, so would have to find the quickest way.

If you need a new passport to go to the US, then how would you renew IN the US?  You will have to renew through the Embassy in the UK.

But yes, why not just file your returns?