Form 15CA & 15CB Filing for Foreign Remittances

Form 15CA is a self-declaration filed electronically by the person remitting money outside India, stating the nature of the payment and its tax treatment. It is a mandatory step before most foreign outward remittances, filed on the income tax e-filing portal.

Form 15CB is a certificate issued by a practising Chartered Accountant confirming the tax rate applicable on a foreign remittance, whether TDS under Section 195 has been correctly deducted, and whether any DTAA relief applies. It is required for certain categories and amounts of remittance, and is uploaded to support the Form 15CA filing.

No. Certain remittances specified by the CBDT are exempt from 15CA/15CB entirely, and remittances that are below the prescribed threshold in a financial year and not chargeable to tax may only need a simpler Form 15CA filing without a CA certificate. We assess this before quoting you.

Broadly, Part A applies to remittances below the prescribed threshold that are taxable; Part B applies where a lower/nil TDS order from the assessing officer exists; Part C applies where the remittance exceeds the threshold and is backed by a Form 15CB certificate; Part D applies to remittances that are not chargeable to tax at all. The correct part depends on the amount and nature of your payment.

Only a practising Chartered Accountant holding a valid certificate of practice can certify Form 15CB, and it must be filed using their digital signature on the income tax portal.

Typically 1-2 working days once we have your remittance details, invoice/agreement, and recipient information. Remittances requiring DTAA and TRC review can take slightly longer depending on how quickly the recipient shares their tax residency documents.

Most Authorised Dealer banks ask for the Form 15CA acknowledgement, the Form 15CB certificate (if applicable), the invoice or agreement supporting the remittance, and their own Form A2 foreign exchange declaration.

Yes, in principle - though many straightforward import payments for goods (where there is no income element taxable in India for the foreign supplier) are commonly treated as not chargeable to tax, which can mean only a Part D self-declaration is needed rather than a full 15CB. We confirm this based on your specific transaction.

Many routine education and maintenance remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme are within exempted categories, but banks often still ask for Form 15CA as a matter of process. We check whether your specific remittance needs a 15CB or just the self-declaration.

A TRC is issued by the recipient's home tax authority confirming they are a tax resident of that country. It is generally required to claim a reduced withholding tax rate under a DTAA between India and that country - without it, the higher domestic TDS rate typically applies.

Your bank will generally refuse to process the remittance without the required forms. Beyond the practical block, remitting without the required declaration and certificate can also expose the remitter to scrutiny on whether TDS obligations under Section 195 were met.

Where a remittance falls into a category or threshold that does not require a Form 15CB, the individual (or their authorised representative) can file Form 15CA as a self-declaration. Where a 15CB is required, it must be certified by a Chartered Accountant.

Remittances by NRIs out of NRO accounts commonly require Form 15CA/15CB, since these involve income earned in India being repatriated. We review the source of funds and prior tax payment to determine the correct filing.

No. The Form 15CB certificate documents the applicable rate based on the Income Tax Act and any DTAA - it does not itself grant a concession. The rate applied depends on the nature of income, the treaty (if any) with the recipient's country, and supporting documents like the TRC.

These forms are meant to be filed before the remittance is processed by the bank, since banks require them as part of the remittance approval. Filing after the fact does not fulfil the intended compliance step and should be discussed with a tax professional for your specific situation.