Ease travel ban threshold, taxman urged

KUALA LUMPUR: Public Accounts Committee recommended a revision of the travel restriction threshold from RM2,000 to RM10,000 for individual taxpayers who are in arrears.
It said the RM2,000 limit imposed by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) is not suitable for Malaysia's economic situation.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin (pix) said the government should consider minimum arrears of RM10,000 for individuals and RM50,000 for companies.
"The PAC is satisfied with the management of overseas travel restrictions by the IRB.
"However, the PAC felt that the threshold of minimum RM2,000 for individuals before barring them from leaving the country, is inappropriate for our current economic situation," he said in a statement today.
Hasan recommended that the IRB ensure its notice for tax arrears reach the individuals and companies well ahead before barring them from travelling overseas.
"IRB should ensure the notice reaches the companies and individuals according to the law, similar to those done by Public Services Department," he said.
Although PAC is satisfied with the overall performance, Hasan said IRB's delivery system also has to be upgraded with new technologies such as short messaging service (SMS), WhatsApp, email in sending tax arrears reminders or the barring of overseas travel.
PAC said the IRB and Immigration Department should ensure their database is regularly updated to ensure there taxpayers who have paid up do not have problems when travelling.