A recent Instagram video by influencer casarthakahuja has sparked confusion by claiming that every Indian citizen must obtain an Income Tax Clearance Certificate (ITCC) before travelling abroad. However, this claim has been officially debunked by Press Information Bureau under its #PIBFactCheck initiative.
Viral Claim: Mandatory ITCC for All Travellers
The video suggests that no Indian can leave the country without first securing a tax clearance certificate from the Income Tax Department.
Fact Check: Rule Applies Only in Specific Cases
According to the PIB, this claim is false and misleading. Under Section 230 of the Income-tax Act, an Income-Tax Clearance Certificate is not required for all citizens.
Instead, ITCC is applicable only to certain individuals under specific legal circumstances, such as:
- Persons with pending tax liabilities
- Individuals involved in serious financial irregularities or investigations
- Cases where authorities specifically mandate clearance before departure
An Instagram video by the account (casarthakahuja) is claiming that all Indian citizens must obtain an income-tax clearance certificate (ITCC) every time before leaving the country.#PIBFactCheck
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 18, 2026
❌ This claim is #FAKE
✅ Under Section 230, tax clearance certificates are not… pic.twitter.com/d7eCE87Pk1
No Change in Law
The government has clarified that this provision has remained unchanged since 2003, even after amendments introduced through the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2024.
What Travellers Should Know
For the vast majority of Indian citizens, there is no requirement to obtain an ITCC before travelling abroad . The rule applies selectively and is not a blanket mandate.
Conclusion
The viral Instagram claim is unfounded. Travellers are advised to rely on official sources and verified updates rather than social media misinformation.
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