NRI Tax Filing Guide India — DTAA, Form 15CA/15CB, TDS Rules (2026)
NRIs ko Indian income tax ke baare mein sab kuch jaanna zaruri hai — residential status, taxable income, TDS rates, DTAA relief, aur step-by-step ITR filing
Agar aap ek Non-Resident Indian hain aur India mein koi bhi income earn kar rahe hain — flat se rental income, NRO fixed deposits par interest, property ya mutual funds bechne se capital gains, ya Indian bank account mein aane wali pension — to aapki Indian tax obligations hain. Rules resident Indians se alag hain, aur bahut se cases mein TDS rates kaafi zyada hain. Ye guide sab cover karti hai: apna residential status kaise determine karein, kaunsi income taxable hai, exact TDS rates kya hain, DTAA se do baar tax dene se kaise bachein, aur abroad se ITR kaise file karein.
1 Tax Ke Liye NRI Kaun Hai?
India mein aapka tax status aapke passport ya citizenship par based nahi hai — ye poori tarah is par depend karta hai ki aap financial year (1 April se 31 March) mein kitne din physically India mein rahe. Income Tax Act, 1961 ki Section 6 residential status ki teen categories define karti hai.
182-Din Ka Rule (Primary Test)
Aap Resident hain agar aap financial year mein 182 din ya zyada physically India mein rahe. Agar aap 182 din se kam India mein rahe, to generally aap Non-Resident (NRI) hain.
60-Din Ka Rule (Secondary Test)
Chahe aap 182 din se kam India mein rahe hon, phir bhi aapko Resident classify kiya ja sakta hai agar aap dono conditions meet karte hain: (a) aap current financial year mein 60 din ya zyada India mein rahe, AUR (b) aap pichle 4 financial years mein combined 365 din ya zyada India mein rahe.
RNOR — Resident But Not Ordinarily Resident
Agar aap upar ke tests ke hisaab se Resident qualify karte hain lekin in mein se koi condition meet karte hain, to aap RNOR hain: (a) aap pichle 10 mein se 9 financial years mein NRI the, YA (b) aap pichle 7 financial years mein 729 din ya kam India mein rahe. RNOR ek beneficial status hai — aap NRI ki tarah taxed hote hain (sirf Indian income par) lekin resident-level TDS rates milte hain.
| India Mein Din (FY) | Indian Income > Rs 15L? | Pichle 4 Saal 365+ Din? | Tax Status | Kaunsi Income Taxed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182+ din | Koi bhi | Koi bhi | Resident | Global income |
| 120-181 din | Haan | Haan | Resident / RNOR | Sirf Indian income (agar RNOR) |
| 60-181 din | Nahi / 15L se kam | Haan | Resident / RNOR | Sirf Indian income (agar RNOR) |
| 60 din se kam | Koi bhi | Koi bhi | NRI | Sirf Indian income |
| 182 din se kam (bahar job ke liye gaye) | Koi bhi | Koi bhi | NRI | Sirf Indian income |
2 NRIs Ke Liye India Mein Kaunsi Income Taxable Hai?
Ek NRI ke roop mein, sirf wo income taxable hai jo India mein earn hui, India mein accrue hui, ya India mein receive hui. Aapki foreign salary, overseas investments, aur country of residence mein income Indian taxation ke scope se bilkul bahar hain.
| Income Type | NRI Ke Liye Taxable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| India mein receive hui Salary | Haan | Agar services India mein render hui ya salary Indian account mein deposit hui |
| Indian property se Rental income | Haan | 30% standard deduction ke baad |
| NRO account / FD par Interest | Haan | NRIs ke liye 30% TDS |
| Indian shares / MF par Capital gains | Haan | Equity LTCG Rs 1.25L se upar 12.5%, STCG 20% |
| Indian property bechne par Capital gains | Haan | LTCG 12.5% (2+ saal hold kiya), STCG slab rate par |
| NRE account / FD par Interest | Nahi | Section 10(4)(ii) ke under fully exempt |
| FCNR deposits par Interest | Nahi | Section 10(15)(iv)(fa) ke under fully exempt |
| Foreign salary | Nahi | India mein earn/receive nahi hui |
| Overseas investment returns | Nahi | India mein accrue nahi hue |
| Indian companies se Dividends | Haan | Slab rate par taxed, 20% TDS |
| India se Pension (EPF, NPS) | Haan | Slab rate par taxed |
3 NRI Income Tax Slabs 2026 (New vs Old Regime)
NRIs ko koi special slab rates nahi milte — wo wohi rates pay karte hain jo resident Indians pay karte hain. Lekin old aur new regime ka choice matter karta hai, aur zyaadatar NRIs ke liye new regime better hai kyunki NRIs typically bahut deductions claim nahi kar sakte (koi HRA nahi, PPF/ELSS se easily 80C nahi, limited Section 24 benefit).
New Tax Regime (FY 2025-26 Se Default)
| Taxable Income (Rs) | Tax Rate | Slab Par Tax |
|---|---|---|
| 4,00,000 tak | Nil | Rs 0 |
| 4,00,001 — 8,00,000 | 5% | Rs 20,000 |
| 8,00,001 — 12,00,000 | 10% | Rs 40,000 |
| 12,00,001 — 16,00,000 | 15% | Rs 60,000 |
| 16,00,001 — 20,00,000 | 20% | Rs 80,000 |
| 20,00,001 — 24,00,000 | 25% | Rs 1,00,000 |
| 24,00,000 se upar | 30% | Amount par calculate |
Section 87A Ke Under Rebate (New Regime): Agar total taxable income Rs 8,00,000 se zyada nahi hai, to poora tax (Rs 30,000 tak) rebate ho jaata hai — effectively zero tax. NRIs ke liye iska matlab agar aapki sirf Indian income Rs 8 lakh ya kam hai, to new regime mein koi tax nahi.
Old Tax Regime
| Taxable Income (Rs) | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| 2,50,000 tak | Nil |
| 2,50,001 — 5,00,000 | 5% |
| 5,00,001 — 10,00,000 | 20% |
| 10,00,000 se upar | 30% |
4 NRIs Ke Liye TDS Rules — Residents Se Zyada!
Ye wo section hai jo NRIs ko sabse zyada hit karta hai. NRIs ke liye TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) rates resident Indians se dramatically zyada hain. Payer (bank, buyer, tenant) ko legally ye higher rates par TDS deduct karna zaruri hai aapko pay karne se pehle.
| Income Type | NRI Ke Liye TDS | Resident Ke Liye TDS | Fark |
|---|---|---|---|
| FD / NRO Interest | 30% + cess = 31.2% | 10% | NRI 3x zyada TDS pay karta hai |
| Property Sale (LTCG) | 12.5% + surcharge + cess | Sale value ka 1% | Bahut bada fark |
| Property Sale (STCG) | 30% + surcharge + cess | Sale value ka 1% | Bahut bada fark |
| Rental Income | 30% + cess = 31.2% | Rs 0 (agar rent < 50K/month) | NRI ko hamesha TDS lagta hai |
| Equity MF Redemption (LTCG) | 12.5% + cess | Nil (Rs 1.25L tak) | Har redemption par TDS |
| Equity MF Redemption (STCG) | 20% + cess | Nil | Har redemption par TDS |
| Debt MF Gains | Slab rate par (30% max) | Nil | Har redemption par TDS |
| Shares/MF Se Dividends | 20% + cess | 10% (Rs 5,000 se upar) | Double rate |
| Salary | Slab rates ke hisaab se | Slab rates ke hisaab se | Same |
TDS Kam Kaise Karein: Section 197 Certificate
Agar deduct ho raha TDS aapki actual tax liability se zyada hai, to aap Assessing Officer se Section 197 ke under Lower TDS Certificate ke liye apply kar sakte hain. Process ye hai:
- Saal ke liye Indian income par apni actual tax liability calculate karein
- TRACES portal (tdscpc.gov.in) par Form 13 mein apply karein
- Supporting documents submit karein — pichle ITRs, income projections, PAN card
- AO ek certificate issue karta hai jismein lower TDS rate specify hota hai (nil, 5%, 10%, etc. ho sakta hai)
- Ye certificate payer (bank, buyer, tenant) ko share karein jo phir lower rate par TDS deduct karega
5 DTAA — Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
DTAA India aur doosre country ke beech ek bilateral treaty hai jo same income par dono countries mein tax lagana rokti hai. India ka 90 se zyada countries ke saath DTAA hai. NRIs ke liye DTAA Indian income par TDS bahut kam kar sakta hai — ya kuch income types ke liye bilkul khatam kar sakta hai.
DTAA Benefits Kaise Kaam Karte Hain
DTAA ke under, specific income types par tax rate ek lower rate par cap hota hai domestic rate se. Aap dono rates mein se jo kam hai wo pay karte hain — domestic Indian rate ya DTAA rate. Interest, dividends, royalties, aur capital gains key income types hain jo cover hote hain.
| Country | Interest Income | Dividends | Capital Gains | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 15% | 25% | Country of residence mein taxed | FD interest TDS 30% se ghat ke 15% ho jaata hai |
| UK | 15% | 15% | Domestic law ke hisaab se taxed | Lower dividend aur interest TDS |
| UAE | 12.5% | 10% | Source country mein taxed | UAE mein 0% income tax — Indian tax paid par relief claim karein |
| Singapore | 15% | 15% | Country of residence mein taxed (generally) | Singapore mein capital gains tax nahi hai |
| Canada | 15% | 25% | Domestic law ke hisaab se taxed | Canada mein foreign tax credit available |
| Australia | 15% | 15% | Country of residence mein taxed | Lower interest aur dividend rates |
| Germany | 10% | 10% | Country of residence mein taxed | Sabse kam DTAA rates mein se ek |
DTAA Relief Kaise Claim Karein
DTAA benefits claim karne ke liye, aapko ye documents payer (bank, buyer, AMC) ko TDS deduction se pehle dene hote hain:
- Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) — apne country of residence ki tax authority se milta hai (jaise USA ke liye IRS, UK ke liye HMRC). Ye prove karta hai ki aap us country ke tax resident hain.
- Form 10F — Indian income tax portal (incometax.gov.in) par file ki jaane wali self-declaration. Isme aapke details hote hain jaise naam, address, foreign country mein tax ID, residency period, aur claim kiya ja raha DTAA article.
- PAN Card — active hona chahiye. PAN ke bina, TDS 20% ya applicable rate mein se jo zyada ho us par deduct hota hai.
- Self-declaration — ek declaration ki aapka India mein Permanent Establishment (PE) nahi hai aur income ke beneficial owner aap hain.
Section 90 / 90A / 91 Relief
Section 90: Jab India ka doosre country ke saath DTAA ho tab relief — aap DTAA rate ya Indian domestic rate mein jo kam ho us par tax pay karte hain. Section 90A: Specified associations ke beech agreements ke liye relief (rare). Section 91: Jab koi DTAA na ho tab unilateral relief — India abroad mein pay kiye gaye tax ke liye deduction allow karta hai.
6 Form 15CA Aur 15CB — Remittances Ke Liye Mandatory
Jab bhi India se kisi India ke bahar rehne wale vyakti ko paisa bheja (remit kiya) jaata hai, to remitter ko Form 15CA (online declaration) file karna aur Form 15CB (CA certificate) lena pad sakta hai. Ye forms ensure karte hain ki applicable tax pay ya deduct ho chuka hai paisa India se bahar jaane se pehle.
Ye Kab Zaruri Hain?
Form 15CA/15CB un payments ke liye zaruri hai jo India mein tax ke liye chargeable hain aur ek non-resident ko bheji ja rahi hain. Common scenarios: NRI ki property ke sale proceeds, NRI landlord ko rent payment, NRI consultant ko professional fees, NRI ko interest payments.
| Form 15CA Part | Kab Applicable | CA Certificate (15CB) Chahiye? |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | Financial year mein remittance Rs 5 lakh se zyada nahi | Nahi |
| Part B | Remittance Rs 5 lakh se zyada HAI AUR Section 195(2)/195(3)/197 ke under order/certificate liya gaya hai | Nahi (AO order purpose serve karta hai) |
| Part C | Remittance Rs 5 lakh se zyada HAI AUR Section 195(2)/195(3)/197 ke under koi order nahi — sabse common scenario | Haan — Form 15CB mandatory hai |
| Part D | Remittance tax ke liye chargeable nahi hai (jaise NRI family ko gifts, NRE balance ki repatriation) | Nahi |
Step-by-Step Process
- Determine karein ki Form 15CA/15CB zaruri hai ya nahi — check karein ki payment tax ke liye chargeable hai aur financial year mein total remittances Rs 5 lakh se zyada hain
- Form 15CB ke liye CA hire karein (agar Part C apply hota hai) — CA payment verify karega, applicable TDS, DTAA benefit claimed, aur income tax portal par electronically Form 15CB issue karega
- incometax.gov.in par login karein — e-File > Income Tax Forms > Form 15CA par jaayein
- Form 15CA bharen — remitter details, remittee details, remittance ka purpose, amount, TDS details, aur 15CB acknowledgement number (agar Part C hai) enter karein
- Form 15CA submit karein — portal ek acknowledgement number generate karega
- Download karke bank ko submit karein — Form 15CA acknowledgement (aur agar applicable ho to Form 15CB) apne bank ko dein. Bank ye forms milne ke baad hi remittance process karega.
7 NRI Ke Roop Mein ITR Kaise File Karein (Step-by-Step)
Kaunsa ITR Form Use Karein?
Zyaadatar NRIs ko ITR-2 file karna chahiye. Ye form salary income, house property income, capital gains, aur other income cover karta hai — ye sabhi common NRI income types hain. ITR-1 (Sahaj) NRIs ke liye available nahi hai. Agar aapki India mein business income hai, to ITR-3 use karein.
Zaruri Documents
- PAN card — OTP verification ke liye aapke phone number se linked hona chahiye
- Form 26AS / AIS — incometax.gov.in se download karein aur verify karein ki aapke PAN ke against sabhi TDS deducted hai
- NRO bank statements — interest income details ke liye
- Capital gains statements — shares/MF transactions ke liye broker ya AMC se
- Property sale deed — property par capital gains compute karne ke liye
- Rental income receipts — agar Indian rental property hai
- TRC aur Form 10F — agar DTAA relief claim kar rahe hain
- Bank account details — refund receive karne ke liye pre-validated Indian bank account (NRO)
Filing Process
- incometax.gov.in par jaayein aur PAN aur password se login karein
- e-File > Income Tax Returns > File Income Tax Return par navigate karein
- Assessment Year 2026-27 select karein (FY 2025-26 income ke liye)
- Filing status "Individual" aur residential status "Non-Resident" choose karein
- ITR-2 select karein aur Old ya New tax regime choose karein
- Income details bharen — salary (Schedule S), house property (Schedule HP), capital gains (Schedule CG), other sources (Schedule OS)
- Form 26AS se TDS details enter karein — salary TDS ke liye schedule TDS1, non-salary TDS ke liye TDS2
- Section 90/91 ke under DTAA relief Schedule FSI (Foreign Source Income) aur Schedule TR (Tax Relief) mein claim karein
- Tax compute karein, refund ya balance payable verify karein
- Return submit karein aur e-verify karein
NRIs Ke Liye E-Verification
NRIs ke liye yahan ek unique challenge hai. Sabse common method — Aadhaar OTP — aksar kaam nahi karta kyunki NRI ka Indian mobile number deactivate ho sakta hai. Alternatives:
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) — NRIs ke liye sabse reliable method. Ek authorized CA (jaise eMudhra, Sify) se Class 2 DSC lein. ITR portal par register karein. Ye duniya mein kahin se bhi kaam karta hai.
- NRO bank account se EVC — portal par apna NRO account pre-validate karein, phir us bank ki net banking se EVC generate karein (agar supported hai).
- Demat account se EVC — agar aapka demat account aapke PAN se linked hai, to NSDL/CDSL se EVC generate kar sakte hain.
- Post se ITR-V bhejein — agar kuch aur kaam nahi karta, to ITR-V ka printout lein, sign karein, aur 30 din ke andar CPC Bengaluru ko bhejein. Recommend nahi kiya jaata kyunki slow aur unreliable hai.
8 NRI Ke Roop Mein TDS Refund Claim Karna
Kyunki NRI TDS rates bahut zyada hain (FD interest par 30%, property sale par 12.5-30%), bahut se NRIs ke paas excess TDS deduct ho jaata hai — actual tax liability se zyada. Ye paisa wapas lene ka ek hi tarika hai — ITR file karein aur refund claim karein.
NRIs Ko Excess TDS Kab Hota Hai?
- Kam total income: Agar aapki Indian income Rs 6 lakh hai lekin bank ne NRO FD interest par 30% TDS deduct kiya hai, to aapka actual tax lower hai (slabs ke hisaab se 5-10%), to excess refundable hai
- DTAA benefit: Agar TDS 30% par deduct hua lekin DTAA rate 15% hai, to 15% excess refundable hai
- Property sale: Full sale consideration par 12.5-30% TDS deduct hua, lekin actual capital gains tax indexation benefit aur exemptions (Section 54/54EC) ke baad bahut kam ho sakta hai
- Loss set-off: Agar aapke capital losses hain jo gains offset karte hain, to pehle se deducted TDS refundable ho jaata hai
Refund Process
- Sabhi income aur TDS details ke saath ITR-2 correctly file karein
- Return e-verify karein (DSC ya EVC use karke)
- Ensure karein ki aapka NRO bank account income tax portal par pre-validated hai — refunds sirf pre-validated accounts mein jaate hain jo aapke PAN se linked hain
- Return CPC Bengaluru process karta hai — typically e-verification ke 30-60 din mein
- Refund directly aapke NRO account mein credit hota hai (NRE mein nahi, foreign account mein nahi)
1. Bank account pre-validated nahi hai — refund bounce ho jaata hai. incometax.gov.in > Profile > My Bank Account > Pre-validate par jaayein.
2. Name mismatch — PAN name bank account name se exactly match hona chahiye.
3. PAN inoperative — agar PAN Aadhaar se link nahi hai (eligible persons ke liye), to inoperative ho jaata hai. NRIs jo Aadhaar ke liye eligible nahi hain wo exemption ke liye apply kar sakte hain.
4. Defective return notice — agar ITR mein errors hain, to CPC Section 139(9) ke under notice issue karta hai. 15 din mein respond karein.
5. Refund galat account mein gaya — agar aapne banks change kiye hain, to filing se pehle portal par bank details update karein.
9 NRI Tax Filing Checklist
Har item complete hone par click karein. Ye sab cover karta hai jo aapko NRI ke roop mein Indian tax return file karne se pehle, during, aur baad mein chahiye.
- Financial year ke liye apna residential status determine kar liya (182-din / 60-din test)
- PAN active hai aur valid Indian mobile number se linked hai
- incometax.gov.in se Form 26AS aur AIS download kar liya — sabhi TDS entries verify kar li
- Interest income details ke liye NRO bank statements collect kar liye
- Broker / AMC / property sale documents se capital gains statements collect kar liye
- Country of residence se Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) le liya (DTAA claim ke liye)
- incometax.gov.in par Form 10F file kar diya (DTAA claim ke liye)
- Old vs New tax regime choose kar liya — upar calculator se compare karein
- Refund ke liye income tax portal par NRO bank account pre-validate kar liya
- Sabhi schedules ke saath ITR-2 file kar diya (income, TDS, DTAA relief, capital gains)
- DSC ya EVC (NRO net banking / demat account) se e-verify kar liya
- 30 din baad incometax.gov.in ya tin-nsdl.com par refund status track kar rahe hain
Aksar Poochhe Jaane Wale Sawal
Kya NRIs ko India mein income tax return file karna zaruri hai?
NRIs ko India mein ITR file karna zaruri hai agar unki total Indian income basic exemption limit se zyada hai — FY 2025-26 ke liye new regime mein Rs 3 lakh ya old regime mein Rs 2.5 lakh. Indian income mein NRO interest, rental income, Indian assets se capital gains, aur Indian salary shamil hai. Agar income limit se kam bhi hai, to TDS refund claim karne ke liye ITR filing zaruri hai. NRE interest aur FCNR interest fully exempt hain aur report karne ki zarurat nahi.
India mein NRI FD interest par TDS rate kya hai?
Banks NRIs ke NRO fixed deposit interest par 30% plus 4% cess (31.2% effective) TDS deduct karti hain — resident Indians ke 10% rate se teen guna zyada. Agar aapki total Indian income lower tax slab mein hai, to ITR file karke refund claim karein. Aap TDS source par kam karne ke liye Assessing Officer se Section 197 lower TDS certificate ke liye bhi apply kar sakte hain. Agar aapke country ka India ke saath DTAA hai, to aapko aur bhi lower rate mil sakta hai (jaise US NRIs ke liye 15%, UAE NRIs ke liye 12.5%).
DTAA NRIs ko double taxation se kaise bachata hai?
DTAA India aur aapke country of residence ke beech ek treaty hai jo specific income types par tax rate cap karti hai. Jaise, India-US DTAA ke under, interest income TDS 30% ki jagah 15% par cap hota hai. Ye benefit claim karne ke liye, apne country se Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) submit karein aur income tax portal par Form 10F file karein. Aap country of residence mein tax file karte time Indian tax paid ke liye credit bhi claim kar sakte hain, jisse same income par do baar tax nahi lagta.
Form 15CA aur 15CB kya hai aur kab zaruri hai?
Form 15CA remitter ka online declaration hai jo income tax portal par foreign remittances ke liye file hota hai. Form 15CB CA certificate hai jo tax compliance confirm karta hai. 15CA ka Part A Rs 5 lakh se kam remittances ke liye apply hota hai (CA certificate nahi chahiye). Part C Rs 5 lakh se zyada remittances ke liye bina AO order ke apply hota hai — isme CA se Form 15CB chahiye. Part D non-taxable remittances jaise NRE repatriation ke liye apply hota hai. Banks transfer process karne se pehle ye forms maangte hain.
Kya NRIs India mein excess TDS ka refund claim kar sakte hain?
Haan. incometax.gov.in par sabhi income aur TDS details ke saath ITR-2 file karein. NRO net banking se DSC ya EVC use karke e-verify karein. Portal par NRO bank account pre-validated ensure karein. Refunds typically e-verification ke 30-60 din mein process hote hain aur directly pre-validated NRO account mein credit hote hain. Common refund scenarios: 30% par TDS deduct hua lekin actual slab rate 5-10% hai, DTAA rate domestic rate se kam hai, property sale jahan Section 54/54EC exemption capital gains kam karti hai.