Do you happen to be an NRI looking to manage your tax filing in India without any hassles? Do you have various sources of income in India, ranging from rent to investments, and find the process complicated? Don’t worry, it’s easier than you imagine once you know the steps to follow. In the following guide, we will walk you through each step, from verifying your status to filing and e-verifying your return, making the NRI tax filing process as straightforward as possible.
The initial step is to establish your residential status according to Indian tax law. You are regarded as an NRI if you have been in India for less than 182 days in the previous financial year, or less than 60 days in the current year, and 365 days in the four previous years. It is important to determine your status accurately because it determines which income is taxable in India.
Most NRIs are taxed merely on income earned or received in India, not foreign income. Careful verification of the entry and exit dates of your passport will enable you to count the days you have spent in India correctly.
(Recommended screenshot: Sample passport page with entry and exit stamps)
For this step, it is useful to have your paperwork in order using a checklist:
Having all the documents prepared prior to initiating the filing process will save you considerable time. It will also minimize the chances of committing mistakes while you input data into the e-filing portal. Keep receipts or rent agreements if you earn rental income. Proper preparation at this level will ease the subsequent steps significantly.
Once all your documents are prepared, calculate your total taxable income. Only income derived from India, like rental income, interest from the NRO account, and capital gains, have to be declared under NRI tax filing.
After calculating the gross income, claim eligible deductions under sections 80C or 80D to decrease your tax liability. Check if you must pay the advance tax, which has to be made if your tax payable is more than ₹10,000 after adjusting TDS. Payment of advance tax within time avoids penalties and keeps the record clean.
Visit the government's official portal for income tax at https://www.incometax.gov.in. If you are registering for the very first time, enter your PAN, create your password, and fill in your basic information like contact number and e-mail. If you are already a user, log in with your user ID as your PAN and your chosen password.
Inside, spend some time familiarizing yourself with the dashboard where you will have the alternatives to file returns, view pending actions, and modify profile information. A snapshot of the login screen or the dashboard will come in handy if you are looking back later, or helping another person.
(Screenshot recommendation: Portal login screen or dashboard view)
Log in to the portal. Go to e-File → Income Tax Return → File Income Tax Return. Choose the proper assessing year, say AY 2025–26 for the year 2024–25. Choose the appropriate ITR form, typically ITR-2 if you have income from salary, house property, or capital gains, or ITR-3 if you have income from business.
Key items to check during this phase are:
Prior to filing, utilize the “Preview Return” feature to view all the entries and correct any mistakes. Saving the resulting page as a snapshot is wise as a double-check before submission.
Once you have confirmed all to be correct, submit the return online. After that, you must verify it, as the procedure is incomplete without verification. You have four methods to do it using Aadhaar OTP, net banking, bank EVC, or digital signature. If the above four methods do not suit you, you have the option to dispatch the signed copy of the ITR-V form to the CPC office in Bengaluru via post.
Once verified, visit “View Filed Returns” in the portal to download your acknowledgment, which is proof of submission. Preserve the document safely as you might require it for loans, visas, or finance approvals elsewhere.
(Screenshot recommendation: E-verification page or acknowledgement download page.)
When it comes to NRI tax filing, staying organized and informed is key to navigating the process smoothly. Several NRIs even prefer to seek advice from a tax consultant, particularly in case of capital gains or foreign assets, to see they are absolutely in compliance. It is well worth exploring the help section of the Income Tax portal or chatbot if you have questions while filing. Remaining proactive about your tax needs keeps you in compliance as well as enables you to take care of your global finances with greater ease and confidence.