Do NRIs need to file an income tax return in India?
Draft: not yet reviewed by a CA.
An NRI generally must file in India if Indian income, such as rent, NRO interest or capital gains, is above the basic exemption limit. It is also worth filing when TDS was deducted and you want it refunded. Income earned and received abroad is not taxed in India while you are an NRI.
What income counts for an NRI?
Only income earned or received in India. Common examples are rent from a house in Kerala, NRO account interest, and gains from selling property or shares in India. Your salary in the Gulf, paid and received abroad, does not count.
When must you file?
When your Indian income is above the basic exemption limit. Some other conditions can also require a return, so check if you have large foreign assets or transactions, or are unsure of your status.
Why file even if you do not have to?
Banks and tenants often deduct TDS. A return is the way to claim back any excess. NRO interest and property sales are the usual cases, and the refund can be large on a property sale.
How do you start?
First confirm your status with the residential status calculator, because everything else depends on it. Then gather your passport travel pages and NRO statement.
Can you file from the Gulf?
Yes. You do not need to travel. Your expert prepares the return, and you verify it electronically.
Estimate for planning, not tax advice.