Sending Money Abroad from India? Do You Need Form 15CA and Form 15CB?
Sending money from India to another country has become common for businesses, professionals, students, and individuals. Whether you are paying for overseas consultancy, importing services, transferring funds for business purposes, or making payments to international vendors, understanding the tax requirements is important.
One of the important compliance requirements for certain foreign remittances is furnishing information about the payment and determining whether tax needs to be deducted at source (TDS).
Many people are familiar with Form 15CA and Form 15CB but are unsure when these forms are required, who needs to file them, and whether a Chartered Accountant's certificate is necessary.
In this guide, we explain the purpose of these forms, their applicability, the filing process, and the important compliance requirements for sending money abroad from India.
What Are Form 15CA and Form 15CB?
Form 15CA and Form 15CB were introduced under the Income-tax Act, 1961, to support tax compliance on payments made to non-residents and foreign companies.
Form 15CA: It is a declaration submitted by the person making the foreign remittance. It provides information about the nature of the payment, its taxability, and applicable TDS details.
Form 15CB: It is a certificate issued by a Chartered Accountant after examining the nature of the remittance, taxability, applicable tax rates, and relevant Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) provisions.
Both forms help establish whether a foreign payment is taxable in India and whether TDS requirements have been fulfilled.
Important update for 2026: The Income-tax Act, 2025 and Income-tax Rules, 2026 came into effect on 1 April 2026. For remittances made on or after this date, the corresponding forms are Form 145 (equivalent to Form 15CA) and Form 146 (equivalent to Form 15CB). The older Form 15CA and Form 15CB continue to be relevant for the earlier regime and historical references.
When Are Form 15CA and Form 15CB Required?
The requirement depends on the amount of remittance, whether the payment is taxable in India, and whether an appropriate certificate or order has been obtained from the Assessing Officer.
Under the earlier Form 15CA framework, the filing requirements were divided into four parts.
| Form Part | When Is It Applicable? |
|---|---|
| Part A | When the taxable remittance or aggregate remittances during the financial year do not exceed ₹5 lakh. |
| Part B | When the taxable remittance exceeds ₹5 lakh and an applicable certificate or order has been obtained from the Assessing Officer. |
| Part C | When the taxable remittance exceeds ₹5 lakh and a Chartered Accountant's certificate in Form 15CB has been obtained. |
| Part D | For eligible remittances that are not chargeable to tax in India. |
These categories have corresponding provisions under the current Form 145 framework, with Form 146 serving as the CA certificate equivalent.
The ₹5 lakh threshold relates to the relevant aggregate remittance during the financial year, not necessarily each individual transaction.
Is Form 15CB Mandatory for Every Foreign Remittance?
No. A Chartered Accountant's certificate is not required for every foreign payment.
Under the earlier Form 15CA framework, Form 15CB was generally required when:
The payment or aggregate payments exceeded ₹5 lakh during the financial year.
The remittance was chargeable to income tax in India.
An applicable certificate or order from the Assessing Officer had not been obtained.
For the current framework, the corresponding CA certificate is Form 146.
A CA examines the nature of the payment, applicable tax provisions, DTAA benefits where relevant, and the appropriate TDS treatment before issuing the certificate.
Which Foreign Payments May Require Form 15CA or 15CB?
The applicability depends on the nature of the payment and its taxability in India.
Some common examples include:
Payments for overseas consultancy services.
Professional and technical service fees.
Royalty payments to foreign companies.
Interest payments to non-residents.
Commission payments to overseas agents.
Certain software and licensing payments.
Business-related payments to international vendors.
Other taxable payments made to non-residents.
Not every foreign transaction automatically attracts TDS or requires these forms. The nature of the payment, the recipient's residential status, applicable tax provisions, and exemptions must be examined.
How Can You File Form 15CA and Form 15CB Online?
For the earlier filing framework, the forms were submitted through the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal.
The general process involved the following steps:
Step 1: Identify the Nature of the Remittance
Determine why you are sending money abroad, who the recipient is, and whether the payment is taxable in India.
Step 2: Calculate the Remittance Amount
Check the payment amount and aggregate remittances made during the relevant financial year.
Step 3: Determine the Applicable Tax Requirements
Review the applicable TDS provisions, taxability, and any relevant DTAA benefits.
Step 4: Obtain CA Certification, If Required
If the applicable provisions require a CA certificate, assign the relevant form to a registered Chartered Accountant.
Step 5: Complete the Applicable Declaration
Submit the relevant information in Form 15CA or its current equivalent, Form 145.
Step 6: Complete Verification
Ensure the required verification and submission process is completed before the foreign remittance is processed.
For remittances made on or after 1 April 2026, taxpayers should use the current Form 145 and Form 146 requirements under the Income-tax Rules, 2026.
What Documents Are Required for Foreign Remittance Compliance?
Keeping the relevant documents ready can make the process easier.
Commonly required documents include:
PAN details of the remitter.
Identity and residential details of the foreign recipient.
Invoice or payment request from the overseas party.
Agreement or contract explaining the transaction.
Details of the remittance amount and currency.
Bank account and beneficiary information.
Purpose of remittance and applicable RBI purpose code.
Relevant tax calculations and TDS details.
Tax residency certificate, where required for DTAA benefits.
Supporting documents for determining the taxability of the payment.
Additional documentation may be required depending on the nature of the transaction.
Are There Any Situations Where Form 15CA Is Not Required?
Yes. Certain remittances are excluded from the reporting requirements under the applicable rules.
Under the earlier Rule 37BB framework, specified situations included:
Certain remittances made by individuals that do not require prior RBI approval.
Payments covered under specified RBI purpose-code categories.
Other transactions specifically excluded under the applicable provisions.
However, an exemption from furnishing Form 15CA does not automatically mean that every other tax or regulatory requirement is also waived.
The remitter should check the applicable rules before processing the payment.
What Happens If You Do Not Complete the Required Foreign Remittance Compliance?
Ignoring applicable tax requirements can create difficulties when processing international payments.
Depending on the transaction and applicable law, non-compliance may result in:
Delays in processing foreign payments.
Incorrect TDS deductions.
Additional tax liability and interest.
Notices or other compliance proceedings.
Difficulties in providing supporting information to banks or authorised dealers.
Completing the applicable documentation and tax checks before initiating a remittance can help avoid unnecessary complications.
Why Should You Take Professional Assistance for Form 15CA and Form 15CB Filing?
Foreign remittance taxation can be complicated because different payments may have different tax treatments.
For example, a payment for technical services may have different tax implications from a software subscription, royalty, business commission, or reimbursement.
Professional assistance can help with:
Identifying the applicable form and filing requirements.
Understanding the taxability of foreign payments.
Reviewing relevant agreements and invoices.
Determining applicable TDS provisions.
Examining DTAA benefits.
Coordinating CA certification where required.
Preparing the applicable remittance declarations.
Reviewing supporting documents before submission.
This is particularly useful for businesses that regularly make payments to overseas suppliers, consultants, service providers, or international partners.
Where Can You Get Form 15CA and Form 15CB Filing Assistance in India?
If you are planning to send money abroad for personal or business purposes, understanding the applicable income tax requirements is important.
Taxgoal is a tax and financial consultancy platform in India that helps entrepreneurs, startups, professionals, and businesses manage their taxation and compliance requirements.
Taxgoal provides assistance with various tax and financial services, including:
Form 15CA and Form 15CB-related assistance.
Foreign remittance tax compliance.
Income Tax Return Filing.
GST Registration and Return Filing.
TDS Filing Services.
Income Tax Audit.
Business Registration.
LLP Registration.
Payroll Management.
Whether you are making an overseas business payment or need guidance on foreign remittance documentation, Taxgoal can help you understand the applicable requirements and documentation process.
Contact Taxgoal for Form 15CA and Form 15CB Assistance
Taxgoal – Simplifying Taxation in India
Website: https://taxgoal.in/
Contact Number: +91 91385 31153
Services: Tax Consultancy, Foreign Remittance Compliance, ITR Filing, GST Services, TDS Filing and Business Registration.
For assistance with Form 15CA, Form 15CB, or their current equivalents Form 145 and Form 146, contact Taxgoal at +91 91385 31153.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the main difference between Form 15CA and Form 15CB?
Form 15CA is a declaration furnished by the person making the foreign payment, whereas Form 15CB is a certificate issued by a Chartered Accountant after examining the tax implications of an eligible remittance.
2. Is Form 15CA required for every payment made abroad?
No. Certain transactions are excluded under the applicable income tax rules. The requirement depends on the nature and taxability of the payment and the relevant exemptions.
3. Is Form 15CB compulsory for remittances above ₹5 lakh?
Not in every case. Under the earlier framework, Form 15CB was generally required for taxable remittances exceeding ₹5 lakh when the applicable Assessing Officer certificate or order had not been obtained.
4. Who can issue Form 15CB?
A qualified Chartered Accountant registered on the Income Tax e-filing portal can issue the applicable certificate after reviewing the transaction and its tax implications.
5. Can an individual send money abroad without Form 15CA?
Yes, certain individual remittances that do not require prior RBI approval are excluded from the Form 15CA reporting requirement under the applicable rules. The specific transaction must be checked before remittance.
6. What are Form 145 and Form 146?
Under the Income-tax Rules, 2026, Form 145 is the replacement for Form 15CA, while Form 146 is the replacement for Form 15CB. These forms apply to remittances made on or after 1 April 2026.
7. Should Form 15CA or its replacement be filed before sending money abroad?
Yes. The applicable remittance information should generally be furnished before the payment is made, as required under the relevant provisions.
8. Where can I get help with foreign remittance compliance?
You can contact Taxgoal at +91 91385 31153 for assistance with foreign remittance documentation and related tax compliance requirements.
Sending money abroad involves more than providing bank account details and initiating an international transfer. Understanding the taxability of the payment, applicable TDS provisions, and required declarations is equally important.
By reviewing the transaction and completing the applicable compliance requirements in advance, individuals and businesses can make international payments with greater confidence.
For professional guidance on foreign remittance taxation and related compliance, Taxgoal can help you understand the process and manage the necessary documentation.
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