The government has been reviewing its policies to attract investment by NRIs in real estate. In its mid-term review of the economic policy for 2006-07, the RBI.
The Government of India has entered into tax treaties or Double Tax Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) with several countries where Indians reside in large numbers. The treaties aim to protect taxpayers from paying double taxes in India and the adopted country. The treaties have provided for tax to be deducted at source out of payments to NRIs and PIOs to facilitate the process of assessment of taxes due by them. The Income tax Act, 1961 (ITA) defines the taxability of an individual in India, which is dependent on his residential status.
As per the ITA, the different residential status can be:
Resident
An individual who stays in India in a year ending March 31 for at least 182 days, or an individual who stays in India in a financial year ending March 31 for at least 60 days in that year, and a total of 365 days in the preceding 4 years.
The period of 60 days is extended to 182 days for:
- Indian citizens who leave India for employment outside India,
- Indian citizens who are crew members of an Indian ship
- Indian citizens or a Person of Indian Origin who visits India in any year
Ordinarily Resident (ROR)
Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR)
Non-Resident
An individual who does not fall into the above resident categories is a Non Resident
A Non-Resident is taxed in India on the income received or deemed to be received in India or accrues or arises or deemed to accrue or arise in India, in the relevant financial year.
Tax Exemptions from Property Investments