project manager
72 Points
Joined June 2012
There are various issues here
a) Why an NRI wants to file informational return. But ,putting that aside, other issues are:-
b) Is he resident or non resident for tax purposes. If he is non resident, then filing return is meaning less, especially when there is no India income.
c) If he is resident by Indian laws, even then the Tax Treaty will determine his final residency for taxes. If by tax treaty he is found to be resident of India, then he has to pay tax in India on his global income and may get credit in his host country.
For most NRI's it is better to retain the non resident status (if they have one) and take shelter in Tax Treaty if one is favorable. For example, if NRI is earning dollars in USA, his tax obligation in US will be much lower than in India. Please do the math.
If he is NRI for a short duration, then he has to file India taxes for his global income. Many techies who go to West on short assignment end up filing taxes ib two countries.
girish kumar
girish kumar