NRI taxation can be tricky for any Indian citizen residing in Singapore, whether in Singapore City, Jurong, Woodlands, or any other part of Singapore. The rules regarding residential status India-Singapore Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), tax deduction at source on Indian income and the need for filing annual ITR in India create a big chance of more errors, because not knowing the things can lead to penalties, blocked repatriation and double taxation. With the help of this article, any individual will be able to sort out the issues regarding NRI taxation in a simple and understandable way in terms of both residential status and tax-saving methods.
Regardless of your income, the first thing to find out is your residential status during any income tax year in India. Residential status is generally determined based on the number of days spent in India during the financial year.
However, the law requires an assessment of multiple conditions, including the individual’s stay in India during the relevant year and previous years, along with specific exceptions applicable to Indian citizens leaving India for employment or visiting India.The RNOR classification is relevant for individuals who qualify as residents but have maintained a significant period of non-residence in previous years. Therefore, before filing an income tax return, individuals moving to or returning from overseas should carefully evaluate their residential status to ensure correct reporting and compliance.
A common misconception among Singapore residents is that because they are paying or may be subject to personal income tax in Singapore, their global income is also exempt in India. That’s not how NRI taxation works. As an NRI, your Singapore salary and foreign income are not taxable in India merely because you are residing in Singapore but any income that is earned or accrued in India is taxable, regardless of where you live. This includes:
Salary earned by an NRI for services rendered outside India is generally not taxable in India merely because it is credited to an Indian bank account. However, the tax treatment depends on the individual’s residential status, place where services are rendered, and whether the amount represents the first receipt of income in India or a subsequent remittance of foreign-earned salary, this is where many NRIs unintentionally under-report or over-report income.
The India-Singapore Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) is one of the major benefits available to Indian nationals. The DTAA between India and Singapore makes the DTAA particularly relevant for NRIs who earn their income in two places, as well as for those who have moved to the jurisdiction in the middle of the financial year.
The DTAA helps avoid double taxation of the same income, as well as create relief options, reduction of withholding taxes on some payments, and clarification of which country is entitled to tax specific types of income. To be able to apply for the benefits provided under the DTAA, you will normally need:
Numerous NRIs residing in Singapore miss out on their legitimately due DTAA benefits, as they do not realize the necessity of the certificate or do not fill the supporting forms correctly.
While Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) applies to both NRIs and resident Indians, the rates follow a different set of norms for NRIs that often involve higher rates. Banks charge a TDS rate of 30% on NRO account interest, regardless of your actual tax bracket or taxable income. This catches many Singapore residents off guard, since it can result in excess tax being deducted on relatively modest interest income.
The good news: NRIs can apply for a Lower or Nil TDS Certificate under Section 395 of the Income-tax Act. This certificate, once approved, allows banks and payers to deduct TDS at a lower (or nil) rate based on your actual estimated tax liability rather than the flat default rate. For Singapore residents with rental income, capital gains, or fixed deposit interest in India, this can meaningfully improve cash flow and avoid the hassle of claiming large refunds later.
Your choice of bank account structure directly affects your NRI taxation outcome:
Your earnings from your NRE accounts will not be taxed in India, and money in NRE accounts can be transferred out of India without any restrictions. This type of account is useful for transfer of income earned from your work in Singapore to India.
This is the account for money earned in India (like rent, dividend, etc.) The interest earned on this account in India is subject to income tax and TDS apply.
These accounts allow you to hold your deposits in foreign currency such as Singapore Dollar (SGD) or USD, with the benefit of tax-free interests.
By using the right combination of these accounts, non-resident Indians become compliant and can save tax on their interests earned in NRE/NRO accounts.
Many non-resident Indians in Singapore ultimately want to transfer funds which could be earned through property sales, matured deposits, or savings out of India. Repatriation is allowed under FEMA but there are various documentation requirements involved such as Form 145 and Form 146 which confirm tax payment or deduction before the money is transferred out of India. Failure to obey this requirement is among the main reasons that result in the delays or refusal of remittances made by Indian banks.
Even if all your income is exempt or already taxed at source, you may still be required to file an Income Tax Return (ITR) in India if:
Although online tax filing facilities are available for NRIs residing in Singapore, practical challenges may still arise, including Aadhaar-PAN linkage requirements, verification of tax returns where an Indian mobile number is not available, reconciliation of information reported in Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement (AIS), and accurate disclosure of foreign assets and bank account details, wherever applicable. Engaging a professional familiar with both Indian tax compliance requirements and Singapore regulatory environment can help ensure accurate reporting and smoother compliance.
Understanding NRI taxation from a location away from India involves more than a basic checklist; it requires enlisting a firm having expertise in cross-border compliance from both countries. RVG Consulting collaborates with NRI clients located in the Singapore and the Southeast Asian region for various services, including residential status evaluation, tax planning based on DTAA, lower TDS certificates, ITR filing, and repatriation in compliance with FEMA regulations. With a sister company, RVG Chartered Accountants located in Dubai, RVG has full knowledge of practical aspects relating to clients from the international region pertaining to managing Indian tax obligations while sitting in Singapore.
Apart from mere compliance, there are many active ways that NRIs residing in Singapore may undertake to reduce their tax liability in India legally:
With minimum paperwork organized prior, ITR filing and DTAA claims can be completed much more quickly:
Yes, a TRC from Singapore authorities, along with Form 10F, is generally required to claim relief under the India-Singapore DTAA.
Yes. When you change your residential status to NRI, you are required to convert your existing resident savings account into an NRO account and separately open an NRE account for repatriable Singapore income. According to FEMA, you cannot continue with a regular resident account after becoming an NRI.
Yes. If your total income from India is below the basic exemption limit and you don’t have any TDS refund or loss to carry forward, then filing is not compulsory. However, many NRIs still file voluntarily to keep a clean compliance record for future property sale or repatriation.
Income from renting out the Indian property will be taxable in India irrespective of your residential status. Tenants are required to deduct TDS @ 30% on the rent paid to NRI and deposit the same with the government. However, this deduction can be lowered by getting a lower TDS certificate under Section 395.
No. The reporting schedules for foreign assets and foreign bank accounts are applicable only to Resident and Ordinarily Resident taxpayers and not NRIs. As an NRI, you just need to show income earned or accrued in India in your ITR.
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