What is Form 15CA and 15CB? NRI Tax Filing Guide 2026

If you're an NRI looking to transfer money from your Indian bank account to your overseas account, your bank will likely ask for Form 15CA and Form 15CB.

These compliance documents are required under Indian income-tax law when you remit funds from India abroad. For remittances made on or after April 1, 2026, they have new names under the Income-tax Act, 2025: Form 15CA is now Form 145 and Form 15CB is now Form 146. Forms 15CA and 15CB already submitted for earlier remittances remain valid. Understanding when you need these forms, which part to file, and how to complete the process correctly can save you from delays, penalties up to ₹1 lakh, and unnecessary complications with your bank.

Form 15CA and 15CB Are Now Form 145 and Form 146

From April 1, 2026, the Income-tax Act, 2025 and the Income-tax Rules, 2026 replaced the old framework, and both forms were renumbered. Form 15CA, the remitter's declaration, is now Form 145, and Form 15CB, the chartered accountant's certificate, is now Form 146. The procedural rule moved from Rule 37BB to Rule 220. TDS on payments to non-residents now falls under section 393(2) of the new Act (earlier section 195), and the reporting requirement behind these forms sits in section 397(3)(d) (earlier section 195(6)).

The dividing line is the remittance date. Forms 15CA and 15CB already submitted for remittances made up to March 31, 2026 remain valid. Any remittance made on or after April 1, 2026 needs Form 145 and, where required, Form 146. The four-part structure of the declaration and the ₹5 lakh threshold for needing a CA certificate carry over, so the steps in this guide apply to both sets of forms. The differences are covered in each section below: a shorter exemption list under Rule 220, new section numbers, Form No. 41 alongside your Tax Residency Certificate in place of Form 10F, and a penalty of up to ₹1 lakh under section 462.

What Are Form 15CA and Form 15CB?

Form 15CA is a declaration you submit to the Income Tax Department before making foreign remittances from India, confirming that applicable taxes have been deducted. Form 15CB is a Chartered Accountant's certificate validating your remittance complies with Indian tax laws and DTAA provisions, required when remittances exceed ₹5 lakh annually.

Banks will not process foreign remittances without these forms when required. Even for NRO account to NRE account transfers within India, banks demand these forms as compliance with the rules on TDS for NRI payments (section 195 of the old Act, section 393 of the Income-tax Act, 2025).

When Do NRIs Need to File Form 15CA and 15CB?

If a taxable remittance, together with earlier such remittances in the year, does not exceed ₹5 lakh, file only Part A of the declaration (Form 15CA for remittances up to March 31, 2026, Form 145 from April 1, 2026) without a CA certificate. Once the aggregate exceeds ₹5 lakh in the year, obtain the CA certificate (Form 15CB, now Form 146) and file Part C, unless you hold an Assessing Officer's certificate and file Part B instead.

NRIs need these forms when repatriating rental income, FD proceeds, property sale amounts, or transferring NRO savings to overseas accounts. According to FEMA rules for NRI, you can repatriate up to USD 1 million per financial year from NRO balances, including transfers to an NRE account (see our guide to NRI repatriation of funds), but tax compliance through these forms remains mandatory.

Banks require Form 15CA and 15CB even for NRO to NRE transfers within India because tax obligations are based on your non-resident status, not physical money location. The Income Tax Department tracks these fund movements to ensure proper tax collection.

Understanding the Four Parts of Form 15CA

Form 15CA is divided into four parts, and you must choose the correct part based on your remittance amount and tax status. Filing the wrong part can cause delays and require refiling. Form 145 keeps the same four parts.

Part A applies when your remittance or aggregate remittances during the financial year don't exceed ₹5 lakh and the amount is chargeable to tax. This part requires basic information about the remitter, recipient, and remittance details. No CA certificate is needed for Part A.

Part B is used when remittances exceed ₹5 lakh and you have obtained a certificate from the Assessing Officer under section 395(1) or 395(2) of the Income-tax Act, 2025 (sections 195(2), 195(3) or 197 of the old Act for remittances up to March 31, 2026). This scenario typically applies if you've applied for and received a lower deduction certificate similar to Form 13 for nil or reduced TDS. Part B doesn't require Form 15CB or Form 146 since you already have an official certificate from tax authorities.

Part C is the most common for substantial NRI remittances. You file this part when remittances exceed ₹5 lakh during the financial year and you need Form 15CB (Form 146 for remittances from April 1, 2026) from a Chartered Accountant. The CA certifies the tax compliance before you can file Part C.

Part D applies when your remittance is not chargeable to tax under the Income Tax Act. This might apply to certain capital repatriation or tax-free transactions. However, Part D still requires filing unless your transaction falls under the exemptions in Rule 220 (Rule 37BB for remittances up to March 31, 2026).

Who Needs Form 15CB and How to Get It?

Form 15CB becomes mandatory when remittances exceed ₹5 lakh annually without an Assessing Officer's certificate. The CA verifies fund sources, checks taxability under Income Tax Act, determines applicable TDS rates considering DTAA provisions, and confirms TDS payment. For DTAA benefits, provide your Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) and Form No. 41 (Form 10F for remittances up to March 31, 2026) to the CA.

Fees and turnaround time vary from one CA to another, so ask about both upfront. Keep bank statements, TDS challans, property documents if applicable, and your TRC with Form No. 41 ready for DTAA claims. The CA files the certificate on the e-filing portal using a Digital Signature Certificate, and Form 146 also requires a UDIN. The acknowledgement number is then quoted in Part C of your declaration.

How to File Form 15CA Online

Gather required documents: PAN card, bank details, payment information, TDS challans, and the Form 15CB or Form 146 acknowledgement (for Part C). Log in to www.incometax.gov.in, go to e-File > Income Tax Forms > File Income Tax Forms, select Form 145 (which replaces Form 15CA for remittances from April 1, 2026), and choose the appropriate part.

For Part A or D, directly fill remitter, remittee, and remittance details. For Part C, add your CA's details and enter the Form 146 acknowledgement number. Preview carefully, then verify using DSC or EVC (DSC is mandatory if you file using a TAN). A submitted form cannot be edited, but it can be withdrawn within 7 days of submission. Download the acknowledgement immediately and submit it to your bank before remittance processing.

Exemptions Under Rule 220 (Earlier Rule 37BB)

Not all foreign remittances require these forms. For remittances made on or after April 1, 2026, Form 145 is not required in three cases under Rule 220 of the Income-tax Rules, 2026:

• The remittance is made by an individual and does not need prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India, such as remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS).
• The remittance is made by a unit of an International Financial Services Centre.
• The remittance is of a nature specified under the relevant RBI purpose code.

For remittances made up to March 31, 2026, the exemptions were set out in Rule 37BB of the old rules. If your remittance qualifies for an exemption, you don't need to file any part of the declaration or obtain a CA certificate. Banks may still ask for these forms as part of their internal compliance, so check with your bank whether it accepts the exemption or has additional requirements.

Penalties and Consequences of Non-Compliance

For remittances made on or after April 1, 2026, failing to file Form 145, or providing inaccurate information in it, can attract a penalty of up to ₹1 lakh under section 462 of the Income-tax Act, 2025. For earlier remittances, section 271-I of the old Act set a penalty of ₹1 lakh. A CA who issues an incorrect certificate faces a separate penalty under section 463 (earlier section 271J). Banks refuse to process remittances without proper forms and may report non-compliant transactions to tax authorities, potentially triggering inquiries or blocking transactions until documentation is provided. Plan ahead with 2-4 days for processing once forms are ready, or weeks if corrections are needed.

Bank Requirements vs Legal Requirements

Banks often require Form 15CA and 15CB for NRO to NRE transfers as internal compliance, even when legal requirements may differ. They interpret these as remittances to non-residents for risk management purposes. Policies vary from bank to bank. When encountering conflicting information, consult your bank's NRI services desk directly for their specific requirements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Filing the wrong Form 15CA part is common. Check cumulative annual remittances to ensure you file Part A (under ₹5 lakh) or Part C (above ₹5 lakh) correctly, and use Form 145 rather than Form 15CA for any remittance made on or after April 1, 2026. Missing TDS documentation like Form 26AS, payment challans, and ITR acknowledgements prevents the CA from issuing the certificate (Form 15CB, now Form 146) properly.

When claiming DTAA benefits, obtain a Tax Residency Certificate and furnish Form No. 41 (Form 10F for remittances up to March 31, 2026; see our Form 10F guide). Without these, TDS applies at the rates under Indian tax law instead of the lower DTAA rate. If you expect a lower or nil rate, you can also apply to the Assessing Officer for a lower deduction certificate. Start the process 5-7 working days before needed remittances to avoid delays.

Conclusion

Form 15CA and Form 15CB (Form 145 and Form 146 for remittances from April 1, 2026) are essential compliance requirements for NRIs remitting funds from India abroad. File the correct form part based on your remittance amount, obtain Form 15CB from a CA when needed, and complete the process before initiating transfers.

Understanding the exemptions under Rule 220 (earlier Rule 37BB) and maintaining proper documentation helps you avoid a penalty of up to ₹1 lakh and processing delays. Start the process 5-7 days before your planned remittance to ensure smooth fund transfers.