Myth-versus-Reality Post
Tax myth:
âIf I pay enough of my #IRS debt to get below the passport threshold, the certification disappears.â
It doesnât work that way.
A later partial payment that drops the balance below the threshold does not automatically require the IRS to reverse an existing CP508C certification.
And here is the other side of the issue: owing more than $66,000 in 2026 does not automatically mean the debt was properly certifiable in the first place.
The assessment, enforceability, lien or levy history, exclusions, and current account status all matter.
That is why the first question should not always be:
âHow quickly can I make a payment?â
It may be:
âWas this certification proper, and what will actually reverse it?â
We broke down the complete process here:
Received IRS Notice CP508C? Learn what seriously delinquent tax debt means under IRC § 7345, how passport certification works, and how to re














