Many of us are starting to look ahead to the summer and are doing some timely vacation planning. While one can sometimes find last-minute deals, it is often better to book well in advance and lock in lower rates (and you also avoid sold-out flights and hotels). There are a number of Israeli startups that are changing the way people plan and research travel – including SeeVoov (www.seevoov.com). An interactive, video-based trip planning tool.
SeeVoov, founded in 2016, is based in Rechovot, Israel and is a new trip planning concept. Until now, the itinerary building has been a series of online searches of the various desired destinations, reading many articles, and making choices based on descriptions and the recommendations and ratings of other travelers. With SeeVoov, once the user selects their location (i.e.., Miami) the technology, which is based on a patented intelligent machine learning system, automatically tags videos based on image analysis (Deep Learning) and uses artificial intelligence in the video selection and recommendation algorithm. The traveler can then review videos of attractions, restaurants and accommodations. The traveler can also quickly access extra information like what to wear or what to bring. Once all of the parameters have been selected, the system provides a list of accommodation options and prices and then creates a personal itinerary accessible on your phone.
In order to travel one, of course, needs a valid passport. Since the start of 2018, the IRS has invoked a procedure so that the U.S. Department of State would either revoke or deny renewal of over 260,000 passports for seriously delinquent tax debts! (Click here to see the report.)
The IRS has the authority to certify tax debt (over $52,000) to the State Department, thereby listing individuals as ineligible for passports. The IRS began certifying individuals as ineligible for passports in 2018 and is continuing to certify additional taxpayers each month. Many taxpayers are unaware they have been certified until they apply for a passport and receive a denial letter. The IRS is required to make limited exceptions for certain taxpayers – including, those in bankruptcy proceedings; currently making payments under an installment agreement, offer in compromise, or other settlement with the IRS, and a few others, but taxpayers in such situations should not assume the IRS cross-checking measures for such exceptions are infallible.
Taxpayers with delinquent taxes need to resolve tax issues early on, to avoid certification issues delaying travel, especially in the event of an emergency. While the IRS is also required to make exceptions for humanitarian or emergency travel, because passport certification is a relatively new authority granted to the IRS, administrative procedures are still being worked out, creating greater potential for error and delay in such cases.
Don’t let your summer travel plans get derailed by the IRS! MasAmerica has experienced tax attorneys that can help you resolve these issues, even with only weeks to go before your travel plans (although the more time we have the better to reduce possible delays).
