PETALING JAYA: Taxpayers have been urged to check their tax arrears and travel restriction status before planning any overseas trips, says the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).
LHDN said a travel ban was imposed as a last resort if a taxpayer failed to pay his outstanding taxes (individual and corporate) despite receiving multiple reminders and notices.
“We will always help taxpayers and are committed to facilitating and easing tax services with a three-pronged approach through awareness, education and services (AES),” it said in a statement yesterday.
The body said as an early precaution, taxpayers can check their status at the MyTax portal at https://mytax.hasil.gov.my and if there is any travel bar on the Immigration Department website at https://sspi.imi.gov.my/sspi.
On April 16, LHDN said that a total of 180,216 individuals have been barred from travelling overseas for failing to pay tax arrears totalling RM7.93bil.
The travel restriction was imposed even on those with tax arrears of RM100.
LHDN chief executive officer’s office director Ranjeet Kaur said action would be taken against Malaysians, foreigners, as well as directors with a shareholding of over 20% who failed to pay their income, property gains and company taxes.
She said the enforcement action is taken to increase voluntary tax payment compliance and is not meant to punish taxpayers.
Kaur said taxpayers who have been penalised have been notified of the action through their last address as per LHDN’s records.
Taxpayers can go to LHDN offices nationwide to discuss and find the best solution to their problems.
LHDN explained that if they have arrears but want to travel overseas, they can discuss and opt for instalment payments.
Payments can be made at https://byrhasil.hasil.gov.my via online banking, at deposit machines in banks, or at LHDN agent banks.
Enquiries could be made via phone at 03-8911 1100, live chats, or at https://maklumbalaspelanggan.hasil.gov.my/public.
