To,
The Chairman,
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT),
North Block, New Delhi – 110001.
Subject: Urgent Request for Online Utility Release of Form 156 under Income-tax Rules, 2026
Respected Sir,
I am reaching out to address a pressing concern regarding the new stipulations for individuals traveling abroad, as outlined in the recently amended Income-tax Rules, 2026 (Rules 228-229), which take effect on April 1, 2026.
According to the guidelines (G.S.R. 198(E) dated March 20, 2026), it is mandatory for taxpayers holding a PAN to electronically file Form 156 on the Income Tax e-filing portal prior to leaving India. This crucial form is designed to record the purpose of travel and the anticipated duration of stay outside the country.
Challenges Identified:
- The Form 156 utility is currently inaccessible on the official Income Tax e-filing portal.
- Tax professionals and travelers are unable to locate the link or offline utility needed to fulfill this new “event-based” filing requirement.
- With the rule now in effect, there is growing anxiety among citizens regarding potential delays or inquiries from Customs/Immigration authorities at airports due to the inability to comply with a process that is not yet operational.
Request for Action:
In light of the aforementioned issues, I respectfully urge the Board to consider the following actions:
- Expedite the rollout of the Form 156 electronic filing utility on the Income Tax portal.
- Issue a clarification or circular that provides a grace period or interim waiver until the digital infrastructure is fully functional.
- Coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs (Immigration) to ensure no traveler faces undue scrutiny at departure points during this transitional phase.
Your swift response to this matter will aid in seamless compliance and reduce unnecessary anxiety for students, tourists, and business travelers.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent request.
Yours faithfully,