How can NRIs-PIOs-OCBs open and maintain the NRE-NRO-FCNR-bank accounts in India to buy, sell, rent out immovable property?

Author: Sachin Gupta | Find me on Twitter Follow @sach_gupta

Foreign exchange management act (FEMA) of 1999 allows Non Resident Indians (NRIs), Person of Indian Origins (PIO) to buy, sell, rent immovable property other than agricultural land or plantation property or farm house in India. One can invest in a piece of land and construct it or buy an under construction property directly from the real estate developer. Overseas Indians can invest in commercial or residential property of their choice. The acquisition of immovable property by person resident outside India is governed by terms of Section 6(3) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, as well as by the regulations contained in Notification issued by RBI vides Notification No FEMA. 21/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000, as amended from time to time.

Persons resident outside India are categorized as Non- Resident Indians (NRIs) or a foreign national of Indian Origin (PIO) or a foreign national of non-Indian origin. A person resident in India who is not a citizen of India is also covered by the relevant Notifications.

To carry out this entire process of buying, selling, renting out the immovable property, NRIs/PIOs are allowed to repatriate an amount up to USD 1 million per financial year (April-March) out of the balances held in NRI account subject to tax compliance. This amount includes sale proceeds of assets acquired by way of inheritance or settlement. Thus, NRIs can purchase property and transfer money earned in India to their country of residence through authorized banking channels.

How can NRIs/PIOs/OCBs open and maintain the bank accounts in India? Find below the detailed document:

NRI-PIO-OCB opening and maintaining NRE-NRO-FCNR-bank accounts in india from Green Realtech Projects Pvt. Ltd

Follow @sach_gupta

Have any Questions? Tweet to @sach_gupta

Taxation aspects for an NRI, PIO, or a Foreigner for buying an immovable Property in India

Author: Sachin Gupta | Find me on Twitter Follow @sach_gupta

Buying a property has tax implications. If a property is meant for income generation, then one has to pay income tax in addition to property tax, service tax, Capital Gains Tax, and wealth tax. Tax guidelines vary from state to state in India. A typical resident of India who has invested in property has resources and time to adhere to taxation aspects.

However, an NRI or PIO or a foreigner can find it cumbersome to adhere to taxation aspects of buying an immovable property in India. What are the various kinds of taxes, what is the definition of NRI or PIO as per income tax act, and what are the various tax exemptions? These are some of the questions a Non Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO), or a foreigner will be confronted with. Here we present the detailed paper for taxation aspects for an NRI, PIO, and Foreigner for buying an immovable property in India: