Taxpayers urged to settle tax arrears before planning overseas travel for Aidilfitri

AS the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays approaches, taxpayers are being advised to check their tax arrears and ensure there are no travel restrictions in place before making plans for overseas travel.

Bernama cited today that the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) issued a reminder that individuals and businesses with unpaid tax arrears may face restrictions on their ability to leave Malaysia.

In a statement, the IRB highlighted that under Sections 104 and 75A of the Income Tax Act 1967 and Section 22 of the Real Property Gains Tax Act 1976, they have the authority to prevent individuals from departing the country if they or their companies have outstanding tax payments.

“Travel restrictions are a last resort imposed when taxpayers continue to ignore payment reminders after being notified of their tax arrears,” Bernama quoted IRB saying.

Taxpayers planning to travel abroad are urged to first check their outstanding tax balance using the MyTax portal, accessible at [https://mytax.hasil.gov.my/](https://mytax.hasil.gov.my/).

Additionally, they can verify their status via the Immigration Department's official portal at [https://sspi.imi.gov.my/sspi/](https://sspi.imi.gov.my/sspi/).

"If you discover that you have tax arrears and are subject to travel restrictions, you are advised to settle your full tax liability or contact the relevant HASiL office to arrange an instalment plan, allowing you to proceed with your travel plans," the IRB clarified.

Taxpayers wishing to remove the travel ban can apply through the e-Travel Restriction service on the MyTax portal, provided they meet the necessary criteria, including being a Malaysian citizen and having cleared the full payment.

The IRB also noted that these restrictions apply to cases under the Income Tax Act 1967 but do not extend to restrictions on company directors.

For those seeking to lift the restrictions, applications can also be made via the established procedures, such as contacting the HASiL Contact Centre at 03-8911 1000 or visiting a local IRB office during business hours.

Further guidance on e-Travel Restrictions and a comprehensive FAQ section are available on the IRB’s website at [https://www.hasil.gov.my/individu/lain-lain/soalan-lazimindividu/](https://www.hasil.gov.my/individu/lain-lain/soalan-lazimindividu/). – March 28, 2025