Tuesday 2 August 2016

FAQ’s of FCNR interest rates and taxation you would need to know

Most NRI’s look for options that allow them to invest their foreign currency. Amongst all the different options in the NRI accounts, the foreign currency non-resident bank account is one of the most favourable options. The FCNR can be held by an NRI in a foreign currency while earning interest on the investment.

One of the benefits of this account is that it is free from currency fluctuations. In other words, this account can be held in foreign currency, which is free from the volatile conditions of the market. Thus, this allows the investor to earn favourable fcnr interest rates on the investment, especially if the currency of residence enjoys a high conversion.

However, since this an NRI account which earns interest, there is a question whether the interest that is earned in liable for the tax. If so, the favourable fcnr interest rates will be pointless as the most of the funds that will be earned, will be deducted. Given below are details of the FCNR account interest rates and the taxation process involved with it.

How is the taxation process of the FCNR account based on?

Taxation on the FCNR interest will be based on the applicant’s status. The interest that is earned in the FCNR account is tax exempted, so long as the account holder enjoys the status of an NRI or a non-ordinary resident. Once the status of the applicant changes to a regular ordinary resident or ordinary resident, the interest return on investment will be taxed, based on the global income in India. In other words, the interest that is earned on the FCNR deposit will be taxable in India.

Is the double tax avoidance agreement applicable for the FCNR?

Certain NRI accounts are applicable to taxation under the residency laws as well as the Indian laws. However, with the double tax avoidance agreement, the tax deducted at the source will be reduced.  Although the interest that is earned in the FCNR is not taxable, certain countries like the US, levy tax on the global income of its residents and citizens. In other words, an account holder would need to add this interest to the total income earned in the tax returns, and thereby pay the required taxes.

When a non-resident returns to India, what happens to her FCNR deposit?

When an NRI returns to India, the first step the applicant would need to do is inform the bank. On informing the bank, the institute will take the necessary steps to change the status from an NRI to the resident so that the FCNR bank account can be converted into a resident account. Once this is done, under the Indian tax laws, the interest income that is earned by an applicant is tax exempted, only if he or she enjoys the status of ‘ a person resident outside India’. Therefore, the interest that is earned in the converted FCNR will be taxable. Additionally, the account holder will not be able to enjoy the benefit available to the FCNR account anymore.

No comments:

Post a Comment