As of this August, the US Internal Revenue Service had started action to revoke the passports or residence rights of at least 260,000 US individuals, according to law firm Dickinson Wright. 

The power to recommend passport revocation for serious tax defaulters was granted to the IRS under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, signed into law in December 2015, but only brought into effect in February 2018. The Internal Revenue Service has stated it plans to use the power against US persons who owe more than USD$ 51,000 in taxes and penalties.

The large number of revocation applications already made by the IRS is surprising. However, Dickinson Wright notes that there are a number of safeguards available to those affected. Firstly, ...