From NRI tax planning and mutual funds to estate planning, repatriation, and returning NRI advisory: one SEBI-registered adviser for every financial decision tied to India.
No India visit required. No spam. A 30-minute call to understand your NRI financial situation.
These four questions come up in almost every first call we get from NRIs. They sit at the intersection of FEMA, the Income Tax Act, RBI regulations, and DTAA treaties. Getting the answer wrong on any one of them is expensive.
"How do I file my ITR as an NRI? Do I even need to?"
Filing rules differ for NRIs. Income threshold, applicable ITR form, TDS refund claims, and DTAA benefit claims all depend on your tax residency status. Most NRIs overpay because they don't claim what they're entitled to.
See NRI tax planning"Can NRIs invest in mutual funds in India? Which ones?"
NRIs can invest in most Indian mutual funds, but US and Canada NRIs face fund-house restrictions due to FATCA. The NRE vs NRO account decision, TDS on redemption, and repatriation structuring need to be planned upfront.
NRI investment advisory"How can I transfer money out of India as an NRI?"
NRE funds are freely repatriable. NRO funds up to USD 1 million per year after tax. Property sale proceeds need Form 15CA/15CB and a CA certificate. Structuring the sequence and timing reduces tax leakage significantly.
Read repatriation FAQs"What happens to my India property and investments if something happens to me?"
A nominee is not a legal heir. Without a registered Will in India, assets go through succession law, often not in line with your intentions. An NRI estate plan covering Will, PoA, and nominations is non-negotiable.
NRI estate planningYou don't need separate advisers for tax, investments, estate, and repatriation. As an NRI, all these decisions are interconnected. The tax you pay on a redemption affects what you can repatriate, which affects your estate. A single adviser who sees the full picture makes better recommendations.
Tax residency, ITR-2, TDS refunds, DTAA benefits
NRE/NRO account structuring, FATCA-compliant funds
PIS account setup, NRI Demat, RBI compliance
Form 15CA/CB, NRO limits, structured fund transfer
Will, PoA, nominations, succession across borders
India retirement, child education, property corpus
RNOR window planning, account conversion, re-entry
Rental income, TDS on sale, capital gains, repatriation
Alternative investments, IFSC structures for NRIs
Cross-border retirement corpus, India-based drawdown
Most NRIs we speak with fall into one of four situations. The questions they bring, and the things that matter most to them, are quite different from each other. Select the one closest to you.
Moved in the last 1–3 years. Still setting up NRE/NRO accounts, understanding what changes with NRI status.
5+ years abroad. Has NRE/NRO accounts, India mutual funds or property, and wants structured advice on growing and repatriating wealth.
Complex cross-border structure. Mix of business income, AIF/PMS investments, multiple properties, and estate planning across jurisdictions.
Returning in 1–5 years. Wants to maximise the RNOR tax window, convert accounts correctly, and set up India-based retirement income.
The engagement is designed for NRIs living outside India. Every step is remote. No in-person meeting required, ever.
You know your biggest India finance gap before spending anything.
You have a complete view of every gap across tax, FEMA, estate, and repatriation.
A specific, prioritised action list across every India financial decision you face.
Every year: ITR filed, portfolio reviewed, rule changes flagged before they affect you.
No India visit required at any stage. All consultations, document reviews, and advisory sessions are conducted remotely via video call. Documents are shared securely online.
Every article below is written specifically for NRIs managing India assets from abroad. Start with the topic most relevant to where you are right now.
Mutual funds, stocks, real estate, and fixed income. What NRIs can invest in, how, and what the tax implications are.
Estate PlanningWhy a nominee is not a legal heir, how to write a Will that covers India assets, and when a PoA is essential.
Tax GuideLTCG, STCG, TDS at redemption, debt fund taxation changes, and DTAA treaty benefits for NRI investors.
Tax FilingWhen to file, which ITR form to use, how to claim TDS refunds, and how DTAA treaties reduce your tax burden.
Real EstateWhat NRIs can and cannot buy, TDS on rental income, capital gains on sale, and how to repatriate sale proceeds.
RepatriationNRE vs NRO repatriation rules, Form 15CA/15CB, the USD 1 million limit, and step-by-step transfer process.
Returning NRIWhat RNOR means, how long it lasts, what income remains tax-free, and how to plan the return to maximise it.
Financial PlanningGoal-based planning for NRIs covering India retirement, child education, property purchase, and building an India corpus from abroad.
Registered Investment Adviser under SEBI IA Regulations. INA000013518. We are legally required to act in your interest, not earn commissions from products we recommend.
No trail commissions. No product incentives. You pay a transparent advisory fee and that is the only way we earn. Every recommendation is made for your benefit, not ours.
Every consultation, review, and document session happens remotely. You don't need to travel to India or schedule around an India visit. We work in your time zone.
Tax, investments, estate, repatriation, returning NRI: all in one place. No piecing together advice from four different specialists who don't talk to each other.
SEBI Registration No. INA000013518. Finnovate Financial Services Pvt Ltd is a SEBI-registered Investment Adviser. Advisory fees are in compliance with SEBI Investment Adviser Regulations. Past returns referenced anywhere on this site are not a guarantee of future performance. All investments carry risk.
These are the real questions NRIs bring to their first call with us. The actual things people ask when they're figuring out taxes, investments, estate plans, and repatriation from abroad.
NRI Taxes & ITR Filing
Yes. Finnovate is a SEBI-registered Investment Adviser (INA000013518) that provides comprehensive financial advisory services specifically for NRIs managing assets in India. The engagement is fully remote. No India visit is required. Services cover NRI tax planning, ITR filing, NRI mutual fund investments, estate planning, repatriation, and returning NRI (RNOR) planning. The first introductory call is free.
An NRI is required to file an Income Tax Return (ITR) in India if their India-sourced income exceeds the basic exemption limit (Rs 2.5 lakh, or Rs 3 lakh for those aged 60+), or if they have capital gains from sale of property, shares, or mutual funds. Filing is also advisable to claim TDS refunds, apply DTAA benefits, or maintain records of inward/outward remittances. NRIs can file ITR-2 online without being physically present in India.
For equity funds, LTCG (held over 12 months) is taxed at 12.5% above Rs 1.25 lakh per year; STCG (held under 12 months) at 20%. Debt fund gains are taxed at slab rate. Dividend income is taxed at slab rate. TDS is deducted at redemption. Applicable DTAA provisions between India and the NRI's country of residence may reduce the effective tax, but only if you file an ITR and claim the benefit.
NRI Investments: Mutual Funds & Stocks
Yes, NRIs can invest in mutual funds in India under FEMA. Investments via NRE account are repatriable; via NRO account are non-repatriable. US and Canada-based NRIs face restrictions: several fund houses do not accept investments due to FATCA compliance obligations. A fee-only NRI adviser can identify FATCA-compliant options, structure the account correctly, and ensure ongoing tax compliance.
An NRE (Non-Resident External) account holds funds remitted from abroad and is fully repatriable. Principal and interest can be transferred back freely. Interest on NRE accounts is tax-free in India. An NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) account holds India-sourced income: rent, pension, dividends, property sale proceeds. NRO funds are repatriable up to USD 1 million per financial year after taxes. Interest on NRO accounts is taxable. Both can be used for investments, but with different tax and repatriation implications.
Yes. NRIs can invest in Indian listed stocks under the Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) through a designated PIS bank account and a separate NRI Demat account. All stock transactions must route through the PIS account. TDS applies on capital gains at redemption. Aggregate NRI holdings in a company are capped at 10% (extendable to 24% with board approval). An NRI adviser can set up the PIS account, Demat account, and ensure ongoing RBI and SEBI compliance.
AIFs (Alternative Investment Funds) are SEBI-regulated pooled structures covering private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, and real estate funds. NRIs can invest in Category I and II AIFs using NRE or NRO account funds. Minimum ticket is Rs 1 crore. Gift City (GIFT-IFSC), India's international financial centre, offers NRI-friendly investment structures with specific tax advantages. NRI AIF investments require careful structuring given FEMA rules applicable at the time of investment.
NRI Estate & Succession Planning
Without a registered Will in India, assets are distributed under applicable succession law (Hindu Succession Act, Indian Succession Act, etc.), which may not reflect the NRI's wishes. A nominee on a financial account receives assets operationally but is not the legal heir. Only a Will or succession certificate establishes legal ownership. An NRI estate plan should cover a registered Will in India, a valid Power of Attorney for family members, and correctly filled nominations across all accounts and investments.
Technically a foreign Will can cover Indian assets, but enforcing it in India requires apostilled copies, notarisation, and often a lengthy probate process. A separate registered Will in India, specifically covering Indian assets, is far simpler for the family to execute. NRIs with meaningful India assets (property, investments, bank accounts) should maintain a registered Will in India even if a Will already exists in their country of residence.
NRIs can purchase residential and commercial property in India without RBI approval. Agricultural land, plantation property, and farmhouses cannot be purchased (though they can be inherited). Funds for purchase must come from NRE or NRO accounts or inward remittance. Rental income is taxable in India (TDS at 31.2% for tenant payments to NRIs). Sale proceeds are subject to capital gains tax, with TDS at 20%+ on long-term gains. Repatriation of sale proceeds from two residential properties is permitted under specified conditions.
NRI Repatriation
NRE account funds are freely repatriable with no limit. NRO account funds can be repatriated up to USD 1 million per financial year after applicable taxes are paid, with Form 15CA and 15CB and a CA certificate required. Property sale proceeds follow the same NRO route with additional documentation. Timing the transfers, minimising tax leakage before repatriation, and maintaining complete documentation are the key elements of structured repatriation planning.
Form 15CA is a self-declaration by the remitter confirming that applicable taxes have been paid on the funds being repatriated. Form 15CB is a certificate issued by a Chartered Accountant confirming the nature of the payment, the applicable tax treaty provisions, and the tax deducted. Together, these two forms are required by the bank before processing most NRO repatriation transfers. They are not required for NRE account transfers, which are freely repatriable. A fee-only NRI adviser coordinates with a CA to prepare these documents correctly.
Returning NRI & RNOR
RNOR (Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident) is a transitional tax status under the Indian Income Tax Act for NRIs who have returned. During the RNOR period (typically 2 to 3 years), foreign income that is neither received nor accrued in India remains non-taxable in India. A returning NRI can continue receiving foreign dividends, rental income, or interest from overseas during this window without paying Indian tax. After RNOR ends, all global income becomes taxable in India as a full Resident (ROR).
Plan 6–12 months ahead. Key steps: time the return to qualify for RNOR status; convert NRE and NRO accounts to resident accounts within the required timeframe (typically within 3 months of return); review and potentially liquidate foreign investments before the RNOR window closes; restructure India mutual fund and equity portfolios; update KYC across all financial institutions; review insurance, health cover, and estate documents. Returning without planning means losing the RNOR tax window permanently.
NRI Financial Planning & Advisory
Yes. Most NRIs end up piecing together advice from separate tax consultants, investment brokers, and legal advisers who do not coordinate with each other. Finnovate provides integrated NRI financial planning as a single SEBI-registered adviser: tax planning and ITR filing, mutual fund and SIP investments, estate and succession planning, repatriation structuring, and returning NRI advisory. Because every decision is connected (what you redeem affects your tax, which affects what you can repatriate, which affects your estate), a single coordinated view produces better outcomes than fragmented advice. Fully remote. First call free.
Goal-based NRI financial planning means building a specific India corpus for each financial goal: retirement income in India, children's education, property purchase, or a drawdown portfolio before returning. Rather than investing in generic funds, the approach maps each goal to a timeline, selects appropriate investment vehicles, structures accounts for tax efficiency, and builds a repatriation plan around each goal. NRI goal-based planning differs from resident Indian planning because the account structure, FEMA compliance, and tax treatment all vary by goal and residency status. Finnovate specializes in this for NRIs across the US, UK, UAE, Singapore, Australia, and Canada.
Returning NRI financial planning has a specific window and sequence that cannot be undone once missed. Six to twelve months before return: confirm RNOR eligibility dates; plan foreign investment liquidation to use the tax-free window; decide which NRE accounts to keep and when to convert; review estate documents. After landing: convert NRE and FCNR accounts to resident accounts within three months; update KYC across all financial institutions; restructure India investments for resident tax treatment; set up India-based retirement income if applicable. An adviser who has worked with multiple returning NRIs reduces the risk of missing a deadline or losing the RNOR window by default.
Working with Finnovate
The first call is a free 30-minute introductory session. There is no obligation and no sales pitch. We use it to understand your current situation: your country of residence, the India assets you hold, what is unresolved, and what you are trying to achieve. By the end of the call, you will have a clear picture of whether we are the right fit and what an engagement would look like. You can book directly from this page. No India visit or in-person meeting is required at any stage.
Finnovate charges a flat advisory fee. No commissions, no trail fees, no product-linked incentives. As a SEBI-registered Investment Adviser (INA000013518), we are legally required to act in your interest and prohibited from earning commissions from products we recommend. The fee structure is transparent and agreed upfront before the engagement begins. Pricing depends on the scope of services: a standalone ITR filing engagement is priced differently from a comprehensive NRI financial plan covering tax, investments, estate, and repatriation.
Yes. Finnovate works exclusively online. All consultations, document reviews, ITR filings, and plan deliveries happen remotely via video call and secure file sharing. We currently work with NRIs across the US, UK, UAE, Singapore, Australia, Canada, and several other countries. There is no requirement to visit India, and sessions are scheduled to work around your time zone. The entire engagement, from the first call to ongoing reviews, can be completed without you being physically present in India.
Yes. Finnovate Financial Services Pvt Ltd is registered with SEBI as an Investment Adviser under the SEBI (Investment Advisers) Regulations, 2013. Registration number: INA000013518. SEBI registration means we are regulated, required to maintain a fiduciary standard, and legally prohibited from earning commissions or product-linked income. You can verify our registration on the SEBI website. We do not operate as a distributor, broker, or agent of any financial product.
It depends on the scope. A one-time NRI ITR filing is completed within 2–4 weeks depending on document readiness. A comprehensive NRI financial plan covering tax residency, investment structure, estate planning, and repatriation typically takes 4–6 weeks to deliver with two to three working sessions. Ongoing clients retain us annually for ITR filings, portfolio reviews, and planning updates. There is no lock-in: each engagement is scoped and priced independently, and you decide whether to continue after each cycle.