Overview
- PIB Fact Check, which posted on Saturday, said a viral claim that all Indians must get an income‑tax clearance certificate before every trip abroad is fake.
- CBDT reiterated that under Section 230 an ITCC is required only in specific cases such as serious financial irregularities under probe or direct tax arrears above ₹10 lakh that are not stayed.
- Influencer Sarthak Ahuja said his video referred to Form 157 for people without a PAN or taxable income and not to ITCCs, and he archived the Instagram reel after accusing the government of clipping it out of context.
- Form 157, which took effect on April 1, must be filed each time an eligible domiciled person without a PAN or taxable income leaves India, and current guidance says to submit it manually to the local assessing officer.
- Ahuja’s example groups included minors, homemakers, and retired parents, and the debate has fueled concern about added airport hurdles and calls for an online filing option to reduce friction.