Tax Guidelines for Non-Resident Indian

Section I: Income Tax Basics

Determining residential status

The conditions to be called as an Indian resident are:

For Indian citizen working in abroad or a crew member of Indian Ship then the first condition will applicable to them. Also, a PIO visiting in India will be also treated as an Indian citizen under the first condition. PIO are the ones, any of his parents or Grandparents born in undivided India.

Taxation and income from abroad

Residential status is the main cursor of Income Tax liability in India for an NRI. For a resident, their Global income is taxable in India. For NRI's, income earned within India is taxable income.

Examples of Income earned and are taxable income in India:

Income that is earned outside India is not taxable income in India. If you earned interest on an NRE account and FCNR account is non-taxable in India. But interest earned on NRO account is taxable in India for an NRI.

Filing income tax return in India

Any NRI who earn more than INR 2,50,000 in a Financial Year is liable to e-file income tax return in India.

NRI's need to e-file income tax returns for the following reasons:

What is the last date of filing income tax return in India?

For NRI's, July 31st is the last date to E-file income tax return in India.

Do NRI's need to pay advance tax in India?

NRI's with tax liability exceeding INR 10,000 in a financial year, are required to pay advance tax. If advance tax payments are missed in a year than interest need to be paid for that as mentioned under Section 234B and Section 234C.

Section II: Taxable Income for NRI's

Income from salary

Salary income is taxable when you receive it in India or someone does on your behalf. Any NRI who receives a salary in their Indian account is liable to pay tax. These incomes will be taxed at a rate of specified tax slab limits. Income earned from services provided in India by an NRI is liable to be taxed in India. If you are an Indian citizen and your employer is Government of India, then income earned abroad is also taxable in India. However, the income of Indian Diplomats and Ambassadors are exempt from tax liability in India.

Do NRI's need to pay advance tax in India?

NRI's with tax liability exceeding INR 10,000 in a financial year, are required to pay advance tax. If advance tax payments are missed in a year than interest need to be paid for that as mentioned under Section 234B and Section 234C.

House Property Income

Income generated from house property that is situated in India is taxable here. The income tax calculation rule will be followed as same as a resident’s. Whether the property is vacant or rented out, it is liable to pay income tax on that. An NRI is also entitled to claim 30% standard deduction on house property against home loan interest payment. Also, NRI's can claim a deduction against principal repayments under section 80C which includes Stamp duty, registration charges paid to purchase a property.

Rental payments to an NRI

If an NRI receives rental payment from a tenant, then the tenant must deduct TDS at a rate of 30%. Whether the rent is received in NRI’s Indian or foreign account, it is subjected to cut TDS. Also, the person making the rental payments to an NRI need to submit a Form 15CA through online. In exceptional cases, Form 15CB need to be submitted taken from a CA which shows the details of payments, TDS rate, and TDS deduction. These needs to be showed as described in Section 195 of the Income Tax Act. This form will also show the details of DTAA (Double Tax Avoidance Agreement) if applicable, and other details of the payment made.

Form 15CA is required when the rental payment exceed INR 50,000 (single transaction) and INR 2,50,000 per financial year. Form 15CB is not required when rental payment does not exceed the above limit and lower TDS has been deducted. In the case of lower TDS deducted, a certificate is needed to received according to the section 197 or such can be done by the order of the AO. Only if the rental payment transaction falls under the Rule 37BB of the Income Tax Act, then none of the above forms is required.

Income from capital gains

Capital gain received on capital asset transfer based in India is tax liable in here and it also includes capital gains on share or security investments done in here. If NRI's sell any house property in India, then buyers are entitled to deduct a TDS at 20%. NRI's are although eligible to claim capital gain exemption against house property investments which is described under Section 54. The exemption can be also claimed against capital gains from bond investments according to section 54EC.

Income from other sources

Interest earned from fixed deposits and savings account held with any Indian banks are taxable in India. However, interest earned on NRE and FCNR accounts are non-taxable where interest earned on NRO account is 100% taxable.

Income from business and profession

Any business or profession set up controlled or set up in India falls under tax category and NRI's earning income through that are taxable in India.

Special provision for income from investment

Investments done by NRI's in any Indian assets is taxed at a rate of 20%. If the income is only income earned in an FY and TDS has been deducted, then it is not tax liable.

The included assets are:

Deductions under Section 80 is not allowed while calculating such investment income.

Special provision for long-term capital gains

Long-term capital gains, no deductions are allowed under Section 80 but for such income, the exemption can be claimed against the profit earned under Section 115F if profit is not reinvested back into followings:

If the cost of the new asset is less than net consideration than capital gains are exempt proportionately from tax liability. If the new asset purchased is transferred or sold back within next 3 years from the purchase than the profit exemption will be added to the income of the year of sale / transfer.

These benefits will be available to NRI even after the person becomes a resident and will be effective until the asset converts to money. Any NRI can opt out of the special provision and in that case, his/her income will be taxed as normal Income Tax Act provision.

Section III: Deductions and Exemptions for NRI's

House Property Income

NRI's can claim deductions against Income from House Property purchased in India. Deductions are avail for NRI's as per they are availed to citizens. The deduction is also allowed for property tax and home loan interest.

Section 54 EC

The income from capital gains is reinvested into specific bonds then they are allowed for deductions

In such investments, the NRI must show relevant proof to the buyer so that no TDS get deducted on the capital gains. Excess TDS deducted can be claimed at the time of income tax return filing.

Deductions under section 80C

Most of the Section 80C deductions are available for NRI's which avails a deduction up to INR 1.5 lakhs. The deductions are available on:

Section 80D

Deductions can be claimed against health insurance and the maximum limit is up to INR 20,000 for senior citizens and up to INR 15,000 for self, spouse and dependent children. Deductions can be claimed also against policy taken for parents and an INR 20,000 deductions will be allowed if they are a senior citizen. So, a maximum of INR 40,000 can be claimed under this section including an INR 5,000 deduction for preventive health check-ups.

Section 80E

Deductions can be claimed against education loan payment which has been taken for higher education of self or spouse or children or for a student for whom the NRI is a legal guardian. Such deductions have no limit and are available for a maximum of 8 years or till the interest is paid, whichever is earlier. Deduction for principal repayment of the loan is not available for the NRI's.

Section 80G

Deductions can be claimed against donation made for social causes by an NRI.

Section 80TTA

Deductions can be claimed against the income earned from interest on a savings account and the maximum limit is up to INR 10,000. This is allowed only on savings account deposits held with an Indian bank or co-operative society or post office and is available starting FY 2012-13.

Section IV: Deductions not allowed to NRI's

Section V: To Avoid double taxation

To avoid double taxation, NRI's can seek relief against the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between the two countries. Doing such will make them pay tax only either in the home country or in India.

Relief can be claimed by two methods: