Income Tax for NRI (Non-Resident Indian): Slabs, Forms & Deductions: 2026

Did you know that as a Non-Resident Individual, you might still have tax obligations in India? Many NRIs assume that since they live abroad, Indian tax laws don’t apply to them. However, under the Income Tax for NRI rules, income earned from Indian sources, such as rent, fixed deposits, or capital gains, is taxable in India.

Let us explore the income tax slabs for non-resident taxable persons, the deduction for non-residents, and the benefits of filing ITR for non-residents.

Latest Updates for NRI Tax Residency Rules (AY 2026-27)

Who is Considered a Tax Resident in India?

A person is a tax resident in India if they:

• Stay in India for at least 182 days in a financial year, OR
• Spend at least 60 days in a financial year and have stayed in India for 365 days or more in the last four years.

Special Rules for NRIs:

NRI full form is Non-Resident Indian.

• NRIs visiting India and Indian citizens going abroad for work or as ship crew are exempt from the 60-day rule.
• If NRIs visiting India earn more than ₹15 lakh (excluding foreign income), the 60-day rule changes to 120 days.

Exceptions:

• For Indian citizens and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) visiting India, the 60-day rule is extended to 182 days.
• For Indian citizens leaving India as crew members or for overseas employment, the 60-day rule is extended to 182 days.
• As per the Finance Act 2020, for NRIs with total taxable income exceeding ₹15 lakh (excluding foreign income), the 60-day rule is replaced with a 120-day rule.
• If an Indian citizen earns more than ₹15 lakh in India and is not liable to pay tax in any country, they are deemed a Resident in India under Section 6(1A).

With the bill taking effect on April 1, 2026, the government has ensured tax consistency while preventing the misuse of NRI status for tax avoidance.

New Income Tax Slabs NRIs for AY 2026-27

• Rs 0 – Rs 4 lakh: Nil tax.
• Rs 4 lakh – Rs 8 lakh: 5%
• Rs 8 lakh – Rs 12 lakh: 10%
• Rs 12 lakh – Rs 16 lakh: 15%
• Rs 16 lakh – Rs 20 lakh: 20%
• Rs 20 lakh – Rs 24 lakh: 25%
• Above Rs 24 lakh: 30%

Income Tax Slab for Non-Resident Individuals (AY 2026-27)

The new tax regime is the default system for calculating income tax. It applies to non-resident individuals with uniform slab rates and limited deductions.

New Tax Regime (Default – Section 115BAC)

Income Range (₹)	Tax Rate
Up to ₹4,00,000	Nil
₹4,00,001 – ₹8,00,000	5%
₹8,00,001 – ₹12,00,000	10%
₹12,00,001 – ₹16,00,000	15%
₹16,00,001 – ₹20,00,000	20%
₹20,00,001 – ₹24,00,000	25%
Above ₹24,00,000	30%

• Rebate under Section 87A applies (as applicable)
• No separate slab benefits based on residential status

Old Tax Regime

Income Range (₹)	Tax Rate
Up to ₹2,50,000	Nil
₹2,50,001 – ₹5,00,000	5%
₹5,00,001 – ₹10,00,000	20%
Above ₹10,00,000	30%

Income Range (₹)	Surcharge Rate
50,00,001 – 1,00,00,000	10%
1,00,00,001 – 2,00,00,000	15%
2,00,00,001 – 5,00,00,000	25%
Above 5,00,00,000	37%

Here are a few additional things you need to know about Income tax for non-residents:

1. Health and Education Cess of 4% is applicable on tax plus surcharge
2. Marginal relief is available for income slightly exceeding surcharge thresholds
3. Higher surcharge rates (25% and 37%) do not apply to certain capital gains and dividend income

Income Tax Deductions for Non-Residents: How to Save More?

Under the Old Tax Regime, non-resident Indian taxpayers can claim deductions under various sections like 80C (Life Insurance, PF, Home Loan Principal), 80D (Health Insurance), and 24(b) (Home Loan Interest). 

The New Tax Regime offers limited deductions, such as 80CCD(2) (Employer’s Pension Contribution) and 80CCH (Agniveer Corpus Fund). House loan interest under Section 24(b) is deductible for let-out properties without any limit.

Deductions for Non-Resident Individuals Available Under the New Tax Regime (Section 115BAC)

Here are the details of the non-resident deduction!

1. Interest on Housing Loan (Section 24(b))
   
   • For let-out property, the entire interest paid is deductible without any limit.
2. Employer’s Contribution to Pension Scheme (Section 80CCD(2))
   
   • Deduction for the employer’s contribution to the Pension Scheme of the Central Government:
     • 14% of salary (for government employees)
     • 10% of salary (for private sector employees)
3. Agnipath Scheme Contribution (Section 80CCH)
   
   • Individuals enrolled in the Agnipath Scheme can claim a deduction for:
     • Their own contribution to the Agniveer Corpus Fund.
     • The Central Government’s contribution to their account.

Deductions for Non-Resident Individuals Available Under the Old Tax Regime

Here are the details of the deduction for non-residents under the old tax regime in India!

1. Interest on Housing Loan (Section 24(b))

• Self-Occupied Property:
  • Loan taken on or after 1st April 1999:
    • ₹2,00,000 (for purchase/construction)
    • ₹30,000 (for repairs/renovation)
  • Loan taken before 1st April 1999:
    • ₹30,000 (for both purchase/construction and repairs)
• Let-Out Property: No limit on deduction.

2. Deductions Under Chapter VIA

1. Section 80C, 80CCC, 80CCD(1) (Combined limit of ₹1,50,000)

• 80C: Life Insurance, EPF, PPF, NSC, Tuition Fees, Housing Loan Principal Repayment, etc.
• 80CCC: Annuity plans from LIC or other insurers.
• 80CCD(1): National Pension System (NPS).

2. Additional NPS Deduction (Section 80CCD(1B))

• Extra ₹50,000 deduction for NPS contributions (above the ₹1.5 lakh limit of 80C).

3. Employer’s NPS Contribution (Section 80CCD(2))

• 10% of salary (for PSU and private sector employees).
• 14% of salary (for government employees).

4. Agnipath Scheme Contribution (Section 80CCH)

• Deduction for the Agniveer Corpus Fund contribution (both self and government contribution).

5. Health Insurance (Section 80D)

• Self, Spouse, Dependent Children:
  • ₹25,000 (₹50,000 if any person is a senior citizen).
• Parents:
  • ₹25,000 (₹50,000 if a senior citizen).
• Preventive Health Checkup: ₹5,000 included within the above limits.

6. Medical Expenses for Senior Citizens (If No Insurance) (Section 80D)

• ₹50,000 for self/spouse/dependent children.
• ₹50,000 for parents.

7. Education Loan Interest (Section 80E)

• Deduction for interest paid on an education loan (for self or relatives).

8. Home Loan Interest for First-Time Buyers (Section 80EE & 80EEA)

• Section 80EE (Loan sanctioned between 1st April 2016 and 31st March 2017): ₹50,000 deduction.
• Section 80EEA (Loan sanctioned between 1st April 2019 and 31st March 2022): ₹1,50,000 deduction.

9. Electric Vehicle Loan Interest (Section 80EEB)

• Deduction of ₹1,50,000 for the loan taken between 1st April 2019 and 31st March 2023.

10. Donations (Section 80G & 80GGA)

• 100% or 50% deduction on donations to approved funds and charities.
• Cash donations exceeding ₹2,000 are NOT eligible.

11. House Rent (Section 80GG)

• For individuals not receiving HRA.
• Deduction is the least of the following:
  • Rent paid – 10% of total income.
  • ₹5,000 per month.
  • 25% of total income.

12. Donations to Political Parties (Section 80GGC)

• Full deduction for donations made via any mode except cash.
• Infrastructure and Special Economic Zones (Section 80IA, 80IAB, 80IB)

• Deductions for businesses engaged in infrastructure development, power generation, and SEZs.
• 100% tax exemption for 10 years (subject to conditions).

ITR Form for Non-Residents: Which One to Use & When?

Forms like Form 12BB, Form 16, Form 26AS, Form 10E, Form 3CB-3CD, and Form 3CEB are essential for salaried individuals and businesses to report income, claim deductions, and comply with tax regulations. 

1. ITR-2

Applicable to:

• NRIs and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs)
• Individuals without business or professional income
• Those not eligible for ITR-1

2. ITR-3

Applicable to:

• NRIs and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs)
• Individuals with business or professional income
• Those not eligible for ITR-1, ITR-2, or ITR-4

ITR Forms Applicable for Non-Resident Individuals (AY 2026-27)

Here is a tabular representation of the ITR form for Non-resident Individuals!

ITR Form	Applicable For	Key Conditions
ITR-2	Non-Resident Individuals & HUFs	– Not having income under the head “Profits and Gains of Business or Profession” – Not eligible for filing ITR-1
ITR-3	Non-Resident Individuals & HUFs	– Having income under the head “Profits and Gains of Business or Profession” – Not eligible for filing ITR-1, ITR-2, or ITR-4

ITR Form for Non-Resident Individual

Here is the table with the latest ITR forms for Non-Resident Individuals!

Form	Provided By	Details in the Form
Form 12BB	Employee to Employer(s)	Evidence or particulars of HRA, LTC, Deduction of Interest on Borrowed Capital, Tax-saving Claims/Deductions for TDS calculation
Form 16	Employer to Employee	Salary paid, Deductions/Exemptions, and Tax Deducted at Source for tax computation
Form 16A	Deductor to Deductee	TDS Certificate for non-salary income, issued quarterly with TDS details, nature of payments, and deposited TDS

Tax Statements

Form	Provided By	Details in the Form
Form 26AS	Income Tax Department (via e-Filing Portal)	Tax Deducted/Collected at Source, Advance Tax, Self-Assessment Tax, Refunds, SFT Transactions, and TDS Defaults
AIS (Annual Information Statement)	Income Tax Department (via e-Filing Portal)	Tax Deducted/Collected at Source, SFT Information, Payment of Taxes, Demand/Refund, GST Info, Foreign Govt. Info, Pending/Completed Proceedings

Note: Information on Advance Tax/SAT, Refunds, SFT Transactions, TDS under sections 194IA, 194IB, 194M, and TDS Defaults previously in Form 26AS is now available in AIS.

Other Tax Forms for Non-Residents

Form	Submitted By	Details in the Form
Form 10E	Employee to Income Tax Department	Claim relief under Section 89(1) for Arrears/Advance Salary, Gratuity, Compensation on Termination, Commuted Pension
Form 3CB-3CD	Taxpayer requiring an audit under Section 44AB	Report of Audit of Accounts and Statement of Particulars under Section 44AB, due one month before the ITR filing deadline
Form 3CEB	Taxpayer with international/specified domestic transactions	Report from an Accountant for transactions under Section 92E, due one month before the ITR filing deadline
Form 3CE	Taxpayer receiving specified income from specified persons	Report from an Accountant under Section 44DA for income by way of royalty or technical fees, due one month before the ITR filing deadline

ITR Filing Checklist for Non- Resident Individuals

Before you begin filing your ITR for a non-resident, make sure you have all the necessary documents and details ready. 

Here’s a quick checklist for you!

Category	Details	Documents Required	Old Tax Regime	New Tax Regime
Basic Information	Business/Entity Name, PAN, Contact Details, Residential Status (as per IT Act)	PAN Card, Registration Certificate, Address Proof	✅	✅
Applicable ITR Forms	ITR-2 (for NRIs with no business income), ITR-3 (for NRIs with business/professional income)	None (to be selected while filing ITR)	✅	✅
TDS Certificates	TDS on salary & other incomes	Form 16 (Salary TDS), Form 16A (Other TDS), Form 26AS, AIS	✅	✅
Annual Income Statement	Income from salary, house property, capital gains, business, other sources	Bank Statements, Rental Agreements, Capital Gains Reports	✅	✅
Tax Payments	Advance Tax, Self-Assessment Tax Paid	Challan Receipts (Challan 280)	✅	✅
Annual Tax Summary	Tax Deducted/Collected, Refunds, High-Value Transactions	Form 26AS, AIS (Annual Information Statement)	✅	✅
Tax Relief on Salary Arrears	Claim relief under Section 89(1)	Form 10E	✅	✅
Audit Reports (if applicable)	Tax Audit for businesses (u/s 44AB, if turnover crosses limits)	Form 3CB-3CD (Audit Report)	✅	✅
International Transactions (if applicable)	Transactions with foreign entities (Transfer Pricing)	Form 3CEB (Transfer Pricing Report)	✅	✅
Foreign Income & Assets	Reporting foreign bank accounts, properties, shares, etc.	Schedule FA (Foreign Assets), Schedule FSI (Foreign Source Income)	✅	✅
House Property Details	Rental income, housing loan interest deduction	Rent Receipts, Home Loan Interest Certificate	✅	❌ (Only let-out property interest allowed)
Capital Gains Details	Sale of property, shares, mutual funds, or other capital assets	Capital Gains Statements, Sale Deeds, Stock Trading Reports	✅	✅
Business/Professional Income	Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet	Business Financial Statements, GST Returns (if applicable)	✅	✅
Deductions & Exemptions	80C (Investments), 80D (Health Insurance), 80E (Education Loan), 80G (Donations), etc.	Investment Proofs, Premium Receipts, Donation Receipts	✅	❌ (Not available except 80CCD(2) & 80CCH for Agnipath)

How to File ITR for Non-Individual AY 2026-27

Steps to File ITR for Non-Resident!

1 Login to the Income Tax e-Filing portal using your PAN and password.
2 Click on ‘e-File’ > ‘Income Tax Return’ and choose ITR-2 or ITR-3 as applicable.
3 Select the assessment year and mode of filing (Online is recommended).
4. Fill in the required sections:

• Personal Information – Verify your name, PAN, Aadhaar, and bank details.
• Income Details – Add salary, house property, and capital gains/business income details.
• Deductions – Claim tax benefits under Section 80C, 80D, 80G, etc.
• Tax Calculation – Review the tax payable or refund amount.

5. Click Preview & Validate your return.
6. Pay any remaining tax (if applicable).
7. Submit and e-Verify your ITR via Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking, or EVC.

5 Common Tax Mistakes Non-Resident Individuals Must Avoid to Save Money

Here are five common mistakes for Non-Resident Individuals that they should avoid while handling their income tax in India:

1. Assuming No Tax Liability in India

Many Non-Resident Individuals believe they don’t have to pay tax in India if they live abroad. However, income earned from Indian sources (e.g., rent, capital gains, fixed deposits) is taxable in India. 

2. Choosing the Wrong Tax Regime

Non-Resident Individuals may choose between the old and new tax regimes. The new tax regime has lower rates but fewer deductions, while the old one offers tax-saving options such as 80C (LIC, PPF), 80D (Health Insurance), and 24(b) (Home Loan Interest). Selecting the wrong regime can lead to higher tax payments.

3. Ignoring the 182-Day Residency Rule

As a Non-Resident Individual, you must check your residency status each financial year. If they spend 182 days or more in India, they may be considered residents and taxed on global income. Those earning ₹15 lakh+ in India have an adjusted limit of 120 days.

4. Not Filing ITR When Required

Even if TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) is already deducted on income, Non-Resident Individuals should file ITR to:

• Claim TDS refunds (if income is below taxable limits)
• Carry forward capital losses
• Avoid penalties for non-filing (mandatory if Indian income exceeds ₹4 lakh per year)

5. Using an NRE/NRO Account Incorrectly

Non-Resident Individuals should ensure they use the correct bank accounts for transactions:

• NRE Account: Tax-free for foreign earnings; useful for repatriation.
• NRO Account: Taxable; for income earned in India (rent, dividends, etc.).
  Mixing transactions can lead to tax complications and issues during repatriation.

How to File ITR for Non-Resident: Assisted Filing on the e-Filing Portal

The Income Tax Department has introduced Assisted Filing to make ITR filing easier. This includes features like a wizard to help choose the correct ITR, pre-filled forms, and a user-friendly offline tool. You can also get help from a CA, ERI, or an Authorised Representative.

Who Can Assist You?

1. Chartered Accountant (CA)
   • A CA is a professional accountant registered with ICAI.
   • You can add, assign, or remove a CA through the My CA service on the e-Filing portal.
   • A CA can help file statutory forms, verify documents, submit grievances, and more.
2. e-Return Intermediaries (ERIs)
   • ERIs are authorised to file ITRs on behalf of taxpayers.
   • Three types:
     • Type 1 & Type 2 use official IT tools or their own software.
     • Type 3 creates offline tools for filing ITRs.
   • You can add or remove an ERI through My ERI service on the portal.
3. Authorised Representatives
   • If you cannot handle tax affairs yourself (e.g., living abroad or due to legal issues), you can appoint someone to act on your behalf.
   • This can be a resident-authorised person, agent, or company representative, depending on the situation.

How to Get Assistance?

• Use the e-filing portal to add, assign, or remove a CA, ERI, or Representative.
• They can help with ITR filing, document verification, and other tax-related services.

What are the Benefits of Filing ITR for Non-Resident?

Even if an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) is not required to file an Income Tax Return (ITR) in India, filing it voluntarily comes with several benefits:

1. Tax Refunds: If TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) was deducted on income like FD interest, rent, or capital gains, but your total income is below the taxable limit, filing ITR helps claim a refund.

2. Carry Forward Losses: If an NRI has capital losses (from stocks, property, or other investments), filing ITR allows them to carry forward these losses to offset future gains and reduce tax liability.

3. Loan Approvals: ITR acts as proof of income and is often required when applying for home loans, personal loans, or business loans from Indian banks.

4. Legal Issues: Filing ITR ensures compliance with Indian tax laws and prevents any notices or penalties from the Income Tax Department.

5. Visa & Financial Transactions: Many foreign embassies and financial institutions require ITR documents as proof of financial stability when applying for visas, credit cards, or investments.

Income Tax for Non-Resident: FAQs

Source: Incometax.gov.in

Disclaimer: This content is for education and awareness purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation. Investments in securities markets are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.