The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has clarified that only certain individuals domiciled in India, who are involved in “serious financial irregularities” or have tax demand pending of more than Rs 10 lakh, are required to obtain an income-tax clearance certificate before going abroad.
“There appears to be a mis-information about the said amendment emanating from incorrect interpretation of the amendment. It is being erroneously reported that all Indian citizens must obtain income-tax clearance certificate (ITCC) before leaving the country. This position is factually incorrect,” the CBDT said in a release.
Section 230 (1A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 relates to obtaining of a tax-clearance certificate, in certain circumstances, by persons domiciled in India. This provision was introduced through the Finance Act, 2003. The Finance Act, 2024 has made only an amendment in Section 230(1A), through which reference of the Black Money Act, 2015 has been inserted.
This insertion has been made to also cover the liabilities under the Black Money Act in the same manner as the liabilities under the Income Tax Act and other Acts dealing with direct taxes for the purpose of Section 230(1A), the CBDT said.