USAO Suitability Review -- taxes Forum

[Anonymous User]

I recently received an offer from a USAO for a summer legal internship. I filled out the required forms and wondered if one of my responses would disqualify me during the suitability review. I was late filing/paying personal property tax on a car before law school. The total tax debt was a few hundred dollars and I paid it all off before law school. I have seen conflicting accounts of whether any late taxes in the past will disqualify someone from one of these internships. Any advice/suggestions?

[Anonymous User]

I once had a minor tax issue like this as well and I'm an AUSA now, so I doubt that would be disqualifying standing alone.

[Anonymous User]

If you paid it off, and given the small amount at issue, you will not get denied for suitability or for clearance purposes.

The clearance process is geared more toward behavioral red flags that could make you a security risk because you tend to mismanage personal finances in a way that could expose you to extortion threats. Minor debts that can be easily paid off even given your limited income don't tend to worry them. Suitability is more focused on the moral issue of why you should be hired by an office that prosecutes tax cheats if you choose not to even pay your own taxes. Like I said, the minor amount and the fact that it's a thing of the past put you in a good spot, but if you want a federal career be meticulous about those tax returns.

[Anonymous User]

As long as you can document that you 1 have no outstanding taxes due and 2 you’ve been filing your taxes, it should be no big deal. The security clearance subreddit is surprisingly full of good info.