Form 15CA and 15CB: Foreign Remittance Rules for NRIs (Now Forms 145 and 146)

Moving money out of India is a tax compliance event as well as a banking one, and Form 15CA and 15CB are the paperwork that connects the two. When an NRI repatriates NRO balances, sale proceeds of a flat in Mumbai or an inherited asset, the bank that sends the funds (the authorised dealer) wants evidence that Indian tax on the money has been dealt with. From April 1, 2026 the Income-tax Rules, 2026 call these Form 145 and Form 146. This page explains who files what, the parts of Form 145, the RBI limit of USD 1 million a financial year, and the steps to follow.

When are Form 15CA and 15CB needed?

Under the 1961 Act, section 195(6) required the remitter to furnish information on payments to non-residents in Form 15CA, with a CA's certificate in Form 15CB for larger amounts. Under the Income-tax Act, 2025, the corresponding rule is section 397(3)(d) and the forms are 145 and 146. The rules about thresholds sit in rule 220 of the Income-tax Rules, 2026, which CBDT says keeps similar thresholds.

In plain terms, you will meet the forms whenever you ask a bank to send rupee funds abroad that are not simply an NRE transfer: repatriation from an NRO account, sale proceeds of property or shares, inheritance, a pension or a large rent balance. The RBI's FAQ on the Liberalised Remittance Scheme explains the reason: the RBI does not itself prescribe the tax procedure, and authorised dealers must comply with the tax laws. Whether a given payment is excluded from the forms depends on the rule list, so ask your bank and CA.

The procedural requirement follows the law in force on the date of remittance, even if the underlying income arose earlier. An April 2026 remittance of proceeds from a February 2026 sale uses Forms 145 and 146, but the tax on the sale is judged under the 1961 Act. See Income-tax Act 2025 transition.

What are the parts of Form 145?

CBDT's FAQs describe four parts:

Under the new framework, where Part B is used (an Assessing Officer certificate), Part C is not also required, which removes a duplicate step that existed under the old system.

How to repatriate NRO funds or sale proceeds

1. Check the RBI position first. The RBI's remittance-of-assets FAQ lets NRIs and PIOs remit up to USD 1 million per financial year from NRO balances, sale proceeds of assets and assets inherited. For NRO balances the bank takes an undertaking that the money comes from your legitimate receipts in India, not from borrowing or a transfer from another NRO account.
2. Confirm the tax is paid. For a property sale, that means the buyer's TDS or the final tax after your return; see TDS on property sale by an NRI. All remittances are subject to payment of Indian taxes, the RBI notes.
3. Ask your CA to review the nature of the money, the tax rate and any treaty position, then issue Form 146 if the amount calls for it.
4. File Form 145 on the e-filing portal, choosing the correct part, and keep the acknowledgement.
5. Submit to the bank with the account details, the declaration it requires and both forms. The bank sends the funds abroad.
6. Remit within the date stated in Form 145. If the transfer slips beyond it, file fresh forms.

RBI limits you must also respect

Since the Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2026 of June 29, 2026, funds in an NRO account may also be transferred to an NRE account within the same USD 1 million facility. Our page on NRE, NRO and FCNR accounts shows the account differences.

Documents and information to prepare

• PAN, passport and OCI card if applicable
• Bank account details for the NRO account and the overseas account
• Sale deed, TDS certificates, Form 26AS or AIS, and the capital gains computation
• Evidence of the source of funds, such as the sale proceeds and the statements showing credit
• Prior Forms 145 and 146 and RBI declarations in the same year, because the USD 1 million limit is cumulative

A worked example

Sanjay lives in Aurora, Illinois and sells his Mumbai flat in November 2026. After TDS the sale proceeds credit his NRO account. He plans two transfers: ₹90 lakh from the sale and ₹12 lakh of accumulated rent in the same financial year. Both are taxable, so Part C of Form 145 applies, with Form 146 from his CA covering the nature of each payment and the tax. The total, converted at the rate on the transfer dates, must stay within USD 1 million for the financial year with any other repatriation. His CA certifies after confirming the capital gains tax was paid, and the bank sends the money within the date shown on the form.

Mistakes to avoid

• Splitting a large remittance into small ones to stay under ₹5 lakh. The thresholds look at the aggregate for the year.
• Using Forms 15CA and 15CB on a remittance made after March 31, 2026, instead of Forms 145 and 146.
• Moving funds into an NRO account just before repatriation; the undertaking forbids transfers from other NRO accounts.
• Forgetting the tax on the sale and assuming the buyer's TDS settled it.
• Treating the USD 1 million as per transaction. It is per financial year.

U.S. side

Bringing your own after-tax Indian money into the United States is not U.S. income, but you should document the source because U.S. banks and the IRS can ask. The NRO account that held the funds is reportable on FBAR and Form 8938 while it exists. Gifts received from a relative abroad can have their own rules; see forms 3520 and 3520A and India-US remittances, gifts and LRS.

How we can help

From our Aurora, Illinois practice we document the source of funds for the U.S. side, reports the foreign accounts and coordinates with your Indian CA, who issues Form 146 and files Form 145. We do not file Indian forms or deal with the Indian tax office. See foreign account and asset reporting and relocation and immigration tax planning. Related guides are collected on the India hub.

Frequently asked questions

General information only. It is not tax, legal, accounting or immigration advice for your situation, and rules change; confirm the current rules with the official source or a licensed professional in the relevant country.