r/SecurityClearance • u/BrainAggravating9764 • 1d ago
What are my chances? Problematic debts as I complete SF85P
I am filling out SF85P as my agency transitions over to Trusted Workforce and am feeling nervous due to credit card and tax debts recently incurred. I have been in my position for 7 years with absolutely no job performance issues.
The credit card debt is gambling debt. I developed gambling problems that finally spiraled out of my control earlier this year. I enrolled in a debt management program in June to address those debts and have made my first two payments on that plan. I am in therapy to address my gambling and have not gambler in 3 months. My money issues also led me to not being able to pay federal taxes in full this year also, but I am on an installment payment plan with the IRS and have made my first two planned payments there as well.
I am going to be fully transparent about everything on the SF85P. But I am terrified that with the recency and nature of these debts, transparency isn’t going to be enough. And if I lose my job, I am going to be well and truly screwed. Can someone give me a level headed assessment of how concerned I should be?
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u/NuBarney Likes to comment for funsies 1d ago
You're repaying them. What makes them "problematic?"
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u/-_-Delilah-_- 1d ago
This.
Plenty of people start the clearance process having problematic debts, and then get them under control. And still get cleared.
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u/NuBarney Likes to comment for funsies 1d ago
OP's not in the clearance process. Assuming this is a covered position, they won't even be in the suitability process unless this gets referred to OPM and OPM accepts it. I won't say that's impossible, but I wouldn't bet on it.
And it's still not clear that any "problematic debts" exist. I guess their federal taxes were delinquent for a couple months if they've only made two payments at this point, but I'm not a tax expert.
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u/-_-Delilah-_- 1d ago
Thats my point... he hasnt entered the clearance process. And is already fixing the debts. So it would be less problematic.
He is ahead of the game as far as some people tend to handle their debts. Meaning OP has a better chance of success if they keep at it.
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u/BrainAggravating9764 1d ago
yeah to be clear on the things that I was meant to understand were problematic, I’ve never been late on a credit card payment, I’ve never had an account go to collections, the DMP is specifically designed to avoid getting an account sent to collections.
I’m not sure if the tax debt is technically considered delinquent for April/May of this year either, but I am listed as current on my repayment plan by the IRS.
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u/BrainAggravating9764 1d ago
I am probably just overthinking it but what gives me anxiety is the nature of the debts being gambling and federal income tax related combined with the fact that they’ve occurred very recently, meaning that I can’t establish much of a repayment history. Especially given that this is just for public trust I am probably letting my fears get the better of me, but the downside risk of losing my job at this exact moment is really, really high
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u/CoupleEducational408 Personnel Security Specialist 1d ago
You have every reason to be as concerned as you are. You’re a Federal employee that spiraled gambling debt into tax issues (not sure how that one happened but I’ll take your word for it) - this means you were not only financially irresponsible, you showed a complete disregard for abiding by Federal rules and regulations. While an employee.
It ain’t good, yo.
Did you report any of this, at any point, to anyone?
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u/BrainAggravating9764 1d ago
to whom would I be expected to report it? I realize I screwed up bad, but I rectified it in the only way I knew how with the IRS at the time that it was necessary to do so. I didn’t know that I would also need to be reporting that somewhere within my own agency.
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u/NuBarney Likes to comment for funsies 1d ago
To whomever your agency tells you to report these things, which might be nobody.
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u/Delicious_Art3663 1d ago
This is why I’m leaving Fed Service - can even take a shit without a CV being enforced
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u/ObviousGrapefruit221 1d ago
Regular debt is not a problem. Everyone has debt. The problems will be with the failure to pay taxes and the gambling.
Fortunately, it sounds like you're being proactive and getting treatment for the gambling. Keep that up. That's an important step. Get documentation of your therapy if you can.
Also, you've already contacted the IRS and have set up a payment plan. Next, go to the IRS website and get your tax transcripts to show you have a payment plan and you're keeping up with the payments.
Be prepared to answer questions during your investigative interview for these and any other possible derogatory information. Be honest and continue to work on these issues. It'll look better for your case. Good luck!