Sale of Property in India

India’s real estate market has always been an attractive asset class for NRIs, whether purchased for investment, rental returns, inheritance, or emotional connection to home. However, when it comes to selling property as an NRI, the process gets far more technical than for resident Indians. From TDS deductions and capital gains tax to FEMA documentation and repatriating funds overseas, each step requires accurate compliance.

FinPracto offers end-to-end property sale assistance for NRIs, ensuring maximum tax savings, error-free paperwork, and seamless proceeds transfer to your foreign bank account.

Why Selling Property in India Is Different for NRIs

NRIs are governed by special rules under the Income Tax Act, FEMA & RBI. As a result, many struggle with:

  • High TDS deducted by buyers
  • Confusion around capital gains tax calculations
  • Delays in obtaining tax refunds
  • Issues during bank remittance to overseas accounts
  • Heavy paperwork for Form 15CA/15CB & Lower TDS Certificate

FinPracto ensures that your transaction remains legally safe, tax-efficient, and stress-free from start to finish.

What We Assist With – Beyond Basic Tax Filing

Our services cover every requirement related to selling property in India as an NRI:

  • Application & approval of Lower or Nil TDS Certificate
  • Correct calculation of capital gains tax
  • Buyer coordination to ensure compliant TDS deduction
  • Preparation & filing of Form 15CA & 15CB for remittance abroad
  • NRI Income Tax Return (ITR) filing post-sale
  • FEMA & RBI compliance for repatriation
  • Liaison with banks, buyers & chartered accountants where needed

You won’t have to coordinate with multiple agencies… FinPracto handles everything end-to-end.

Capital Gains Tax on Sale – How Much Will You Pay?

Tax depends on the duration of property ownership:

  • Long-Term Capital Gain (LTCG) – property held more than 24 months
    Tax rate: taxed at 12.5% + surcharge + cess (indexation benefit not available).
  • Short-Term Capital Gain (STCG) – property held 24 months or less
    Tax rate: as per applicable income tax slab of NRI.

FinPracto evaluates:

  • Indexed cost of purchase and improvements
  • Deductions & exemptions (Section 54, 54F, 54EC)
  • Best-fit planning to minimize tax before sale

Avoid Excess Tax Deduction – Lower TDS Certificate Support

When an NRI, OCI or Foreign Resident sells a property in India, the buyer must deduct TDS under Section 195:

  • If property is Long-Term (held > 24 months): TDS is 12.5% on full sale value (plus surcharge & cess).
  • If property is Short-Term (held ≤ 24 months): TDS is 30% on full sale value (plus surcharge & cess).

However, actual capital gains tax is often much lower than TDS deducted, causing large refund delays.
To avoid this, NRIs can apply for a Lower / NIL TDS Certificate under Section 197 by submitting Form 13 before the sale.

Once approved, the buyer deducts only the approved TDS amount, allowing:

  • No excess tax deduction
  • Immediate benefit instead of waiting months for refund
  • Smooth and compliant execution of the sale transaction

Repatriation of Funds to Overseas Bank Account

After taxes are settled, sale proceeds can be legally remitted abroad only with correct FEMA & RBI documentation. We handle:

  • Verification of the source of funds used to purchase the property
  • Certification via Form 15CA & 15CB
  • Coordination with banks for outward remittance
  • Support whether funds are in NRO or NRE account

Money reaches your overseas account quickly and compliantly.

Specialized Assistance for Complex Scenarios

We support all NRI property sale situations including:

  • Sale of property purchased by the NRI
  • Sale of inherited property
  • Sale of gifted property
  • Joint ownership property sale
  • Sale from NRI to another NRI or resident Indian
  • Agricultural land or farmhouse sale (where permitted)

Every case is handled with tailored tax and compliance planning.

Why NRIs Prefer FinPracto

  • Dedicated NRI tax & FEMA experts
  • One-stop execution — legal + tax + repatriation
  • Transparent communication with no hidden fees
  • Fast documentation turnaround
  • Secure handling of personal & financial information

Our objective is simple: Sell your property smoothly and receive your money overseas without legal risk or tax leakage.

FAQs

Yes. NRIs, OCIs, and foreign citizens of Indian origin can sell residential and commercial property in India.
However, agricultural land, farmhouses, and plantation property can generally be sold only to a resident Indian,
except under special inheritance/gift circumstances.

Yes. Under Section 195, the buyer must deduct TDS from the sale consideration:

· 12.5% if the property is a long-term capital asset (held > 24 months)
· 30% if the property is a short-term capital asset (held ≤ 24 months)

Surcharge and cess apply separately.

Indian tax law mandates that TDS must be deducted on the total sale consideration, not on the capital gain.
Because of this, TDS often exceeds the actual tax payable, leading to excess deduction unless a Lower / NIL TDS
Certificate under Section 197 is obtained in advance.

It is a certificate issued by the Income Tax Department after applying through Form 13. Once approved, the buyer deducts
TDS only at the reduced rate mentioned — preventing excess tax deduction and avoiding long refund delays.

Tax depends on the holding period:

· Long-Term (> 24 months): Taxed at 12.5% with indexation benefit (plus surcharge & cess)
· Short-Term (≤ 24 months): Taxed at slab rate applicable to the NRI

Eligible exemptions under Sections 54, 54EC can further reduce or eliminate capital gains tax.

Yes. NRIs can transfer funds outside India after:

1. Paying all applicable taxes
2. Obtaining CA Certificates – Form 15CA and Form 15CB

Repatriation must be done through an NRE / NRO account as per RBI & FEMA rules.

Typical documentation includes:

· Title/ownership papers
· Purchase deed / sale deed
· PAN card
· Passport & visa / OCI proof
· Property tax receipts
· Bank account details for receiving funds

Additional documents may be needed for inherited or gifted properties.

Not necessarily. NRIs can execute the sale through a Power of Attorney (PoA) in favor of a trusted representative in India.
The PoA must be notarized and apostilled/consularized depending on the country.

It typically takes 2–6 weeks depending on case complexity and jurisdiction. It is advisable to apply before finalizing
the sale agreement to avoid delays.

Yes, if:

· There is capital gain, or
· TDS has been deducted

Filing a return allows NRIs to claim refunds, report exemptions, and stay compliant with FEMA & Income Tax rules.

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