Detailed Overview
Navigating Cross-Border Tax Laws with Precision
For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), managing taxation can be a highly complex affair. Taxability in India depends primarily on your residential status as defined by the Income Tax Act and FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act). If you are classified as an NRI, you are only liable to pay tax on the income generated, accrued, or received within India—such as rental income from Indian properties, capital gains from the Indian stock market, or interest from NRO accounts. Your foreign salary or business income is completely non-taxable in India.
However, NRIs are subjected to stringent TDS regulations. For instance, TDS on property sales by an NRI is deducted at a massive 20% (plus surcharge), and TDS on NRO bank interest is deducted at 30%. Filing an ITR is the only legal method for an NRI to claim a refund on these heavy TDS deductions. Furthermore, our specialized CA team leverages Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) signed between India and countries like the USA, UK, and UAE, ensuring you do not pay tax on the same income twice.
At GST Times, we take the legal complexity out of the picture. Our system reviews your files, coordinates with government registrars, handles all clarifications, and delivers your certificate securely to your dashboard online.
Core Benefits & Advantages
Registering for this compliance/setup unlocks critical legal and commercial opportunities for your brand:
Claim Massive TDS Refunds
Banks and property buyers deduct TDS at the highest slab rates (20-30%) for NRIs. Filing your ITR accurately allows you to claim the excess tax back as a direct bank refund.
Leverage DTAA Relief
We provide specialized DTAA advisory and file Form 10F, ensuring you receive tax credits in your home country for taxes paid in India, avoiding double taxation.
Lower TDS Certificates
If you are selling property in India, we can apply to the Assessing Officer for a Lower TDS Deduction Certificate under Section 197, saving you immense upfront cash flow.
FEMA Compliance
We ensure your investments, NRE/NRO account operations, and repatriation of funds (using Form 15CA/CB) strictly comply with RBI and FEMA guidelines.
Required Documents Checklist
You only need to upload scan copies or photographs of these basic documents. No physical paperwork is required:
Basic KYC & Status Proof
- Copy of Passport (showing exit/entry stamps to determine residency status).
- Indian PAN Card.
- Foreign Tax Identification Number (TIN) or Social Security Number.
Financial Documents
- NRE and NRO Bank Account Statements.
- Property sale deeds or rental agreements in India.
- Form 26AS/AIS downloaded from the Indian Income Tax Portal.
Our Step-by-Step Filing Process
We complete your work in four simple milestones, keeping you informed at every turn:
1
Residency Test & Assessment
We mathematically determine your residential status based on your physical days spent in India during the previous financial years.
2
Income Collation & DTAA Analysis
We gather details of your Indian income (rent, capital gains, interest) and apply applicable DTAA provisions to minimize the tax impact.
3
Computation & Drafting
We draft the specific ITR form (typically ITR-2 or ITR-3), correctly disclosing your foreign assets if required under the Black Money Act.
4
Filing & Repatriation Assistance
We file the return and e-verify it using net banking or OTP. If you need to transfer funds abroad, we issue the mandatory Form 15CA/15CB.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Got doubts? Here are direct answers from our expert Chartered Accountants:
Do I have to pay tax in India on my foreign salary?
No. If your status is officially an NRI (Non-Resident Indian), your income earned and received outside India is entirely exempt from Indian Income Tax.
Are my NRE account interest earnings taxable?
Interest earned on an NRE (Non-Resident External) account or FCNR deposit is completely tax-free in India. However, interest earned on an NRO account is taxable at 30%.
Is it mandatory for an NRI to file an ITR in India?
An NRI must file an ITR in India if their total gross Indian income (before claiming deductions under Section 80C) exceeds the basic exemption limit (₹2.5 Lakhs or ₹3 Lakhs).
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