Form 15CA and 15CB: when you need them
Sending money to a non-resident? Your bank will usually ask for Form 15CA, and sometimes a CA certificate in Form 15CB. Here is how it works.
When a resident makes a payment to a non-resident, the Income-tax Act asks the payer to report it, so the department can check whether tax should have been deducted in India. Banks will not process most foreign remittances without this reporting.
Form 15CA
Form 15CA is an online declaration by the person making the payment. It has different parts depending on the amount and whether the payment is taxable in India. Some payments, such as many personal remittances, are exempt from reporting.
Form 15CB
Form 15CB is a certificate from a chartered accountant. The CA examines the nature of the payment, the applicable tax treaty and the tax deducted, and certifies the position. It is generally needed for taxable payments above the specified limit.
Documents to keep ready
- The invoice or agreement behind the payment
- The recipient's tax residency certificate and Form 10F, if claiming treaty benefits
- Proof of tax deducted, if any
Getting the treaty position right matters: a wrong rate means either excess tax or a later demand. More about our Form 15CA/15CB service.