22 July 2025
Yes, you are correct in your analysis of the residential status of an Indian branch of a foreign bank under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Detailed Analysis: As per Section 6 of the Income Tax Act, the residential status of a company (including a branch) is determined by the following two criteria:
Indian Company: A company that is incorporated in India is treated as an Indian company, and it is automatically considered a resident in India.
However, in the case of a branch of a foreign bank, it is not a separate entity but merely an extension of the parent foreign bank, which is incorporated outside India.
Therefore, a branch of a foreign bank in India is not considered an Indian company.
Control and Management: A company is said to be a resident in India if its control and management are wholly situated in India during the relevant previous year.
In the case of a foreign bank's branch in India, the overall control and management of the parent foreign bank's affairs will typically be located outside India.
The Indian branch of a foreign bank is a part of the foreign entity and does not have the authority to make significant management decisions independently. The key decision-making authority still lies with the parent company outside India.
Conclusion: Since the branch of a foreign bank is not an Indian company and its control and management of its affairs are not wholly in India (as the decisions are made by the foreign parent), the Indian branch will be considered a non-resident under Indian income tax laws.
Final Residential Status: The Indian branch of a foreign bank will be treated as a Non-Resident for the purpose of Income Tax under Section 6 of the Income Tax Act.