Summary
A 39-year-old former military member was denied a security clearance under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The denial stemmed from two primary issues: the applicant's failure to file federal and state income tax returns for 2013 and 2014, and two unresolved delinquent debts totaling $4,795.
The Statement of Reasons specifically alleged these failures, raising Disqualifying Conditions F1, F2, and F3. While Mitigating Conditions F1, F2, F3, and F4 were considered, they were ultimately not sufficient to overcome the concerns.
The decision to deny the clearance was based on the applicant's failure to file the specified tax returns and the lack of resolution for the $4,795 in delinquent debts. Crucially, the applicant did not provide adequate documentation to corroborate claims that these financial issues had been resolved, leading to concerns about financial responsibility and reliability.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant failed to file federal and state income tax returns for 2013 and 2014.
- Applicant did not resolve two delinquent debts totaling $4,795.
- Applicant did not provide documentation to corroborate claims of resolving financial issues.
Conditions Referenced
- F1raisedFailure to File or Fraudulently Filing Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax Returns or Failure to Pay Annual Federal, State, or Local Income Tax as Required.
- F2raisedInability to Satisfy Debts.
- F3raisedUnwillingness to Satisfy Debts Regardless of the Ability to Do So.
- F1rejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur and Does Not Cast Doubt on the Individual's Current Reliability, Trustworthiness, or Good Judgment.Financial issues remain ongoing.
- F2appliedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control.Some evidence suggests financial difficulties began with business problems.
- F3rejectedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Financial Counseling for the Problem From a Legitimate and Credible Source.No evidence of financial counseling provided.
- F4rejectedThe Individual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts.No evidence of good-faith efforts to resolve debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for national security eligibility will be resolved in favor of the national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJun 16, 2016
- Answer filedJul 5, 2016Applicant requested decision on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision made on the written record.
- Decision dateAug 9, 2017
Cite For
- Failure to File Tax Returns as a Disqualifying Condition Under Guideline F
- Insufficient Evidence to Mitigate Financial Concerns
- Importance of Documentation in Resolving Financial Issues for Security Clearance Eligibility