1. PGA Expatriates Taxation in India PGA
This PPT is prepared by P. GAMBHIR & ASSOCIATES (PGA) to provide expatriates a general information regarding their taxation in India . It contains relevant rules prevailing in India in March, 2009.
The information contained in this article is not our comprehensive or exhaustive study but for the general information of the readers. It is not meant to address any particular set of circumstances. We strongly recommend readers to seek professional advice before taking any decision.
For any further information, please visit PGA at or or
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2. PGA General Principles
A foreign national working in India is taxed in India based on his/her residential status under Indian tax laws.
The personal tax liability of an individual is not based on age, sex, citizenship or nationality.
Certain tax benefits are available to resident women and senior citizens.
There is no special tax regime for foreigners working in India.
© P. GAMBHIR & ASSOCIATES 2009

3. PGA
Indian Tax Year
Starts from 1st April and ends on 31st March of the succeeding year and is known as ‘Previous Year’ or ‘Financial Year’. Income earned in the previous year is taxed in the ‘Assessment Year’. Assessment year is the financial year subsequent to the previous year.
For Example, income of the previous year ( to ) will be taxed in the assessment year ( to ) at the rates, as applicable.
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4. PGA Basis of Tax Liability
As mentioned, tax Liability of an individual in India is based upon his/her residential status, which in turn solely depends on his/her physical presence in India in any tax/financial year regardless of the purpose or place of stay. It is not essential that the stay should be continuous or at one place. Part of a day is treated as full day. Dates of arrival and departure (both) are included.
An individual can be:
Resident and ordinary resident (ROR) or
Resident but Not Ordinary Resident (RNOR) or
Non-Resident (NR)
CONT...
© P. GAMBHIR & ASSOCIATES 2009

5. PGA Basis of Tax Liability Resident
Stay in India for 182 days or more in any tax year; or
Stay in India for 60* days or more in any tax year and 365 days or more (in aggregate) in four years immediately preceding the tax year for which residential status is to be determined.
* For Indian Citizens and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) the period of ’60 days’ is to be read as ‘182 days’.
Non Resident
Non resident is a person who is not a resident or who satisfies none of the above conditions.
Resident but not Ordinary Resident
An individual who satisfies either of the above conditions and further satisfies any one of the following additional conditions is treated as resident but not ordinary resident:
Is non-resident in India in 9 out of 10 previous years immediately preceding the tax year for which residential status is to be determined; or
Is present in India for 729 days or less during 7 previous years immediately preceding the tax year for which residential status is to be determined.
A resident individual satisfying none of the above additional conditions is treated as resident and ordinary resident (ROR).
© P. GAMBHIR & ASSOCIATES 2009

6. Examples of Residential Status
PGA
Examples of Residential Status
If a person comes to India on or before 30th September 2008 and stays till , he would be treated as resident for the tax year and would be taxed from the date of arrival to 31st March, 2009.
If a person comes to India on 31st January 2009 and had stayed in India for 365 days or more during the 4 years immediately preceding the relevant previous year (from to ), he will be treated as resident for the tax year
If a person comes to India on 5th October 2008 and was not in India for 365 days or more during the 4 years immediately preceding the relevant previous year ( to ), he will be treated as non-resident (NR) for the tax year
If a person comes to India for the first time on or before 30th September 2008, he would be treated as resident but not ordinary resident (RNOR) for the tax year
© P. GAMBHIR & ASSOCIATES 2009

7. Income Liable to be Taxed in India
PGA
Income Liable to be Taxed in India
An expatriate who is a resident and ordinary resident (ROR), his worldwide income from any source would be taxed in India whether received in or outside India.
An expatriate who is a resident but not ordinary resident (RNOR), income received in India or accruing/arising from a source in India or income derived from a business controlled or profession set up in India is liable to be taxed in India.
An expatriate who is a non-resident (NR), income received in India or accruing/arising from a source in India is taxed in India. Income received in India implies direct receipt of income and not its subsequent transfer.
© P. GAMBHIR & ASSOCIATES 2009

8. Taxation Of Employment Income
PGA
Taxation Of Employment Income
Remuneration earned by expatriate employees for rendering services in India is taxed in India whether paid in or outside India.
Salary includes all amounts whether received in cash or kind, directly or indirectly including perquisites provided to an employee in connection with his employment. Other amounts received in the forms of fee, commission, bonus, allowances, reimbursement of personal expenses and benefits provided by the employer either free of cost or at concessional rates are also treated as salary if paid in connection of employment. It is not necessary to see who makes the payment or provides the benefits.
Cash components are fully taxable in India. Certain perquisites such as housing and furnishings are taxable on concessional basis.
Consequent to the introduction of the FBT, benefits like car, free meals, gifts, etc. are not taxed in the hands of employees but are subject to FBT. Telephone expenses paid by employer are not taxable in the hands of employees.
The benefits which are taxable in the hands of employees as perquisites are not subject to FBT. Similarly, benefits on which FBT has been paid by employer are not again taxed in the hands of employees.
Tax, if any, borne by an employer on non-monetary perquisites is not grossed up in the hands of employee but employer cannot claim such tax paid as an expense while computing its income.
© P. GAMBHIR & ASSOCIATES 2009

9. Taxation of Self Employment Income
PGA
Taxation of Self Employment Income
Profits from business, profession, trade or vocation that are carried out within India are taxable whether one is resident or non-resident. Such income is taxed at on net profit basis after allowing all eligible deductions and allowance.
© P. GAMBHIR & ASSOCIATES 2009

10. Personal Tax Rates & Method of Calculation
PGA
Personal Tax Rates & Method of Calculation
Individual is taxed on his/her total income on a graduated scale.
Tax rates for assessment year are:
Contd...
Income Range (Rupees/INR)
Tax Rate
Up to 150,000
Nil
150,001– 300,000
10% of (annual income minus 150,000)
300, ,000
INR 15,000 plus 20% of (annual income minus 300,000)
500,001 & Above
INR 55,000 plus 30% of (annual income minus 500,000)
Notes:
Plus of personal tax if income exceeds one Million INR;
Education 3% on personal tax and surcharge.
Certain tax concessions are available to ladies and senior citizens.
© P. GAMBHIR & ASSOCIATES 2009

11. Personal Tax Rates & Method of Calculation
PGA
Personal Tax Rates & Method of Calculation
Capital Gains
Long term capital gains are taxed at a flat tax rate of 20% plus surcharge and education cess. However, long term capital gains on securities listed in India on which securities transaction tax has been paid, are exempt from tax.
Short term capital gains are taxed at normal tax rates but short term capital gains on securities listed in India on which securities transaction tax has been paid, are 15% plus surcharge and education cess.
© P. GAMBHIR & ASSOCIATES 2009

12. PGA
Know More…
Normally, an expatriate coming to India for the first time may enjoy the status of RNOR for initial 3 to 4 tax years depending upon his physical presence in India during that period. The facts should be analyzed for each case to determine the residential status.
Many employers pay Indian tax of their seconded employees by using tax equalization but still the primary liability to pay tax and to comply with other provisions of law remains with the employees.
If an expatriate is a resident (ROR) in India in any tax year, his/her worldwide income will be taxed in India. However, if such a person is also a resident of another country with which India has signed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), the residency aspect shall be subject to tie breaker clauses of the relevant DTAA. A detailed analysis is suggested before taking any position.
Employer is required to deduct/withhold taxes, as applicable, while making the salary payments. Salary paid outside India for employment exercised in India is taxable in India and also subject to tax withholding.
Contd..
© P. GAMBHIR & ASSOCIATES 2009

13. PGA
Know More…
Expatriate employees should obtain valid Indian employment visa from his/her home country before entering India.
An expatriate employee should register himself with the concerned Foreign Registration Officer FRRO/FRO within two weeks of arrival in India and complete necessary formalities for such registration.
On arrival, an expatriate should apply to Indian tax authorities obtaining Permanent Account Number (PAN). It is a unique ten digit number which every tax assessee in India is required to apply and obtain.
Wealth tax is 1% on specified assets if taxable wealth exceeds INR 1.5 million. It is not of much significance for expatriates.
© P. GAMBHIR & ASSOCIATES 2009

14. Thanks PGA CA. Parveen Gambhir For further information, please visit
PGA at
or or
or contact us at:
87-B, Masjid Moth – II, DDA Flats, Greater Kailash - III
New Delhi (INDIA)
Tel/Fax: ,
CA. Parveen Gambhir
© P. GAMBHIR & ASSOCIATES 2009
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