The Federal Government will soon make it compulsory for Nigerians who intend to travel overseas to present their Tax Clearance Certificate.

This was made known on Tuesday by the Acting Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Alhaji Kabir Mashi at the Centennial Trade organised by the Abuja Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.

According to Mashi, the Federal Government would no longer tolerate the practice of tax evasion, adding that the payment of taxes was vital for economic development.

“For a few who may have decided to still run against the law, please note that very soon, you won’t be able to do business or travel abroad, I mean to any part of the world, without evidence of tax payment and attestation, otherwise called the Tax Clearance Certificate,” the FIRS boss said.

The TCC is a document issued by the FIRS or by states’ Boards of Internal Revenue indicating the holder has been cleared of his tax liabilities in the past three years from the day of issuance.

Mashi also noted that it was against the law to do transactions with companies and entities that had no Taxpayer Identification Number.

“To our partners in the non-governmental organisations, note that in addition to registering with the Corporate Affairs Commission, you are also under obligation to register with the tax authorities, obtain a TIN and file your annual tax returns with the FIRS,” he added.