Can I obtain a passport or work visa if I'm in debt to the U.S. government?

Question

I live in San Francisco, California and I work in the IT industry, and after recently starting a new job, my boss asked me if I could travel to Australia & China, but I explained to him that I didn't think I could due to the law that states I must owe $0 to the government.

Anyone out there who's knowledgeable with U.S. law know if a citizen with my circumstances can, in fact, obtain a passport or work visa for employment purposes? If so, how?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer 1

Yes, you can obtain a passport if you are in debt, in bankruptcy etc.. The only time you cannot is if you are on probation, parole, committed a felony that requires you to turn it in, or if it has been revoked for any specific reason..