A report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) showed that in 2008 the State Department gave passports to 224,000 people who owed a combined $5.8 billion in federal income taxes. While the State Department can deny passports for felony warrants or child support depts it doesn't have access to IRS information unless the individual consents. The GAO recommends amending the law to allow the transfer of information. Those affected would be less than 1% of those seeking a passport but collecting $5.8 billion would make the check worthwhile.