Repatriation from NRO accounts

When certification is required

Outward remittances from NRO accounts are permitted under FEMA, subject to documentation and tax compliance. Authorised dealers typically ask for Form 15CA (a remitter declaration) and, above specified thresholds, Form 15CB — a Chartered Accountant certificate on the nature of the remittance, taxability in India, and any treaty position.

Common sources include sale proceeds of immovable property, accumulated rent, interest, gifts received in India, and inherited funds. The paperwork must match the economic source; a mismatch is the usual reason a bank declines the request.

What we prepare

A typical engagement covers:

• Source-of-funds review and mapping to the remittance category
• Computation of any residual Indian tax on the amount being sent
• Drafting and filing Form 15CA
• Issuance of Form 15CB by a practising Chartered Accountant
• A document pack aligned with what authorised dealers usually request

Practical notes

NRE balances are generally freely repatriable. NRO balances follow a different path: annual limits, tax clearance and bank KYC all apply. Planning the remittance after the related ITR (or alongside a lower-TDS certificate on a property sale) often shortens the bank’s review.