Gulf–India Tax, FEMA & Financial Advisory for NRIs & OCIs.
Tax-free salary repatriation, NRE/NRO and FCNR structuring, Indian property sale and the unique no-DTAA-relief nuance for Gulf-based NRIs across UAE, Saudi, Qatar and Oman.
The five things Gulf-based NRIs and OCIs ask about most.
Tax-free salary repatriation
Most Gulf states do not levy personal tax, so salary lands in NRE accounts without DTAA credit machinery — keep proof of residency.
NRE / NRO / FCNR setup
Choose accounts by purpose: NRE for repatriable savings, NRO for India-source income, FCNR to hedge currency.
Indian property sale & TDS
20-30% TDS on sale by NRIs, Section 197 lower-deduction certificate and Form 15CB/15CA for repatriation.
No-DTAA-relief nuance
Gulf states (except UAE for some periods) lack comprehensive DTAAs with India; tax residency certificates from UAE/Saudi need careful evidencing.
UAE 9% corporate tax
From June 2023, mainland UAE entities face 9% CT above AED 375K. Free-zone status and personal-vs-business income lines need review.
How Gulf-based clients typically engage us.
Gulf-India residency call
Day count, tax residency certificate, NRE/NRO planning and ITR positions.
Indian property exit review
TDS, Section 197, capital gains and repatriation for Gulf-based OCIs selling Indian property.
UAE entity & CT review
Mainland vs free-zone, personal-vs-business income and India taxability of overseas business income.
The Gulf–India library.
Why NRIs trust us with their India money.
Led by Regi Tom Antony, FCA — Regional CFO, Board Member and NRI Tax Specialist. Advisory is delivered through RTA & Associates, an ICAI-registered Chartered Accountant firm with 30+ years of cross-border practice.
Common questions from Gulf-based NRIs and OCIs.
If you are a non-resident under the Income Tax Act (Indian stay below 182 days), salary earned and received outside India is not taxable in India. The salary can be remitted to your NRE account tax-free. Maintain entry-exit records and tax residency certificates from your Gulf country to defend the position in any future Indian assessment.
Several Gulf states either do not have a comprehensive DTAA with India or do not impose personal tax. That means no foreign tax credit relief is available — but it also rarely matters because the Gulf side levies no tax. The real risk is residency: if you tip into Indian residency, your global income (including Gulf salary) becomes taxable in India without DTAA shelter.
Buyers must deduct 20% TDS on long-term capital gains and 30% on short-term gains before paying you, under Section 195. Without a Section 197 lower-deduction certificate, you finance the tax up front and recover via refund. We file Section 197 applications to bring the deduction close to your actual tax liability.
From your NRO account, you can repatriate up to USD 1 million per financial year outside India after providing a CA certificate (Form 15CB) and filing Form 15CA. Amounts above the limit need RBI approval. The CA must confirm Indian tax has been paid or TDS deposited. Sale proceeds, inheritance and rental income all flow through this route.
Plan your Gulf–India money moves with a CA-led team.
One 20-minute call. A written plan covering residency, FEMA, repatriation and tax.