✅ April 2026 Update: Form 15CA and 15CB have been replaced by Form 145 and Form 146 under the Income Tax Act 2025. This guide is fully updated.
What Changed in April 2026 — The Most Important Update for NRIs
From April 1, 2026, the Income Tax Act 2025 came into effect in India. One of the most significant changes for Non-Resident Indians is the replacement of Form 15CA and Form 15CB with two new forms:
- Form 15CA is now called Form 145
- Form 15CB is now called Form 146
If you are an NRI sending money from India to a foreign bank account — whether from property sale proceeds, NRO account remittances, rental income, or any other Indian source — you must now use Form 145 and Form 146. Your bank will reject the transfer if you submit the old forms.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Form 145 and Form 146 — what they are, when they are required, how to file them, and what happens if you get it wrong.
What is Form 145?
Form 145 is an online declaration filed by the remitter (the person sending money abroad) on the Income Tax portal of India. It replaced Form 15CA with effect from April 1, 2026 under the Income Tax Act 2025.
Form 145 declares the nature of the remittance, the applicable tax treaty provisions, and confirms whether tax has been deducted at source. It must be filed before the bank processes the international transfer.
The Four Parts of Form 145
Form 145 is divided into four parts. The correct part depends on the nature and amount of the remittance:
Part I — For remittances that do not require a CA certificate (Form 146). Used when the remittance is below ₹5 lakh in a financial year AND is not chargeable to tax in India.
Part II — For remittances covered under a specific list of payments that are exempt from reporting requirements. Used when the remittance falls under the RBI-specified exempt category.
Part III — For remittances that are chargeable to tax in India AND a CA certificate (Form 146) has been obtained. This is the most commonly used part for NRI property sale proceeds, NRO account remittances, and rental income transfers.
Part IV — For remittances where the remitter has obtained an order or certificate from the Assessing Officer under Section 195(2), 195(3), or 197.
Most NRI remittances require Part III — meaning both Form 145 and Form 146 are needed.
What is Form 146?
Form 146 is a certificate issued by a practising Chartered Accountant certifying the nature of the remittance, the applicable DTAA provisions, and the tax liability on the payment being made abroad. It replaced Form 15CB with effect from April 1, 2026.
Form 146 must be obtained BEFORE Form 145 Part III is filed. Your CA prepares Form 146, uploads it to the Income Tax portal, and provides you with the certificate reference number which you then use while filing Form 145.
What a CA Certifies in Form 146
When a CA issues Form 146, they are certifying the following under their professional liability:
- The name and address of the remitter and the recipient
- The country to which the remittance is being made
- The nature of the remittance — property sale proceeds, rental income, interest, dividend, or other income
- The applicable Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) provisions
- Whether the remittance is chargeable to tax in India
- The amount of tax deducted at source (TDS) and whether it matches the applicable rate
- That the information provided is true and correct to the best of the CA’s knowledge
This is a legally binding professional certificate. Only a Chartered Accountant registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) can issue Form 146.
When Do You Need Form 145 and Form 146?
| Situation | Form 145 Required | Form 146 Required |
|---|---|---|
| Selling property in India and repatriating proceeds | Yes — Part III | Yes |
| Remitting from NRO account to foreign account | Yes — Part III | Yes |
| Sending rental income earned in India abroad | Yes — Part III | Yes |
| Repatriating NRO fixed deposit interest | Yes — Part III | Yes |
| Sending capital gains from sale of shares abroad | Yes — Part III | Yes |
| Small remittances below ₹5 lakh (non-taxable) | Yes — Part I | No |
| NRE to foreign account transfer | Generally not required | No |
Form 145 vs Form 15CA — Key Differences
| Feature | Form 15CA (Old) | Form 145 (New from April 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable law | Income Tax Act 1961 | Income Tax Act 2025 |
| Effective from | Previously applicable | April 1, 2026 |
| Parts | Part A, B, C, D | Part I, II, III, IV |
| Assessment Year concept | Yes | Replaced by Tax Year |
Step-by-Step Process — How to File Form 145 and Form 146
Step 1 — Determine Which Part of Form 145 Applies
For most NRI property sales and NRO account remittances, Part III applies — meaning you need both Form 145 and Form 146.
Step 2 — Engage a Chartered Accountant for Form 146
You will need to provide your CA with:
- PAN card copy
- Passport copy
- Details of the remittance — amount, purpose, destination country
- Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) from your country of residence
- Form 10F (filed electronically on the Income Tax portal)
- Bank statement or document evidencing the source of funds
- In case of property sale — sale deed, purchase deed, capital gains computation
Step 3 — CA Prepares and Uploads Form 146
Your CA will analyse the DTAA provisions, compute tax liability, verify TDS, prepare Form 146 on the Income Tax portal, and provide you with the acknowledgement reference number. Typical turnaround: 24 to 48 hours.
Step 4 — File Form 145 on the Income Tax Portal
- Log into the Income Tax portal: incometax.gov.in
- Go to e-File → Income Tax Forms → Form 145
- Select Part III
- Enter the Form 146 reference number
- Fill in remittance details and submit
- Download the acknowledgement
Step 5 — Submit to Your Bank
Provide your bank with the Form 145 acknowledgement, Form 146 certificate, purpose of remittance declaration, and KYC documents. Your bank will then process the international transfer.
DTAA Treatment by Country
| Country | DTAA with India | Key Benefit for NRIs |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪 UAE | Yes | No personal income tax in UAE — full Indian tax credit |
| 🇺🇸 USA | Yes | Foreign tax credit available in US return |
| 🇬🇧 UK | Yes | Foreign tax credit available in UK return |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Yes | Foreign tax credit available in Australian return |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Yes | Foreign tax credit available in Canadian return |
Common Mistakes NRIs Make with Form 145 and 146
Mistake 1 — Using old Form 15CA/15CB after April 2026
Banks will reject transfers submitted with old forms. Always confirm your CA is filing Form 145 and Form 146.
Mistake 2 — Filing wrong Part of Form 145
Filing Part I when Part III is required creates compliance issues and can attract notices from the Income Tax Department.
Mistake 3 — Not obtaining TRC before remittance
Without a valid Tax Residency Certificate, DTAA benefits cannot be claimed. Apply for TRC from your local tax authority well in advance.
Mistake 4 — CA not registered with ICAI
Form 146 is only valid if issued by a practising CA registered with ICAI. Certificates from non-ICAI members are invalid and will be rejected by the bank.
Mistake 5 — Not filing Form 10F electronically
Form 10F must now be filed electronically on the Income Tax portal. Paper submissions are no longer accepted.
Mistake 6 — Incorrect remittance purpose code
Banks require a specific RBI purpose code. The wrong purpose code can delay or block the transfer entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Form 146 mandatory for all international remittances from India?
No. Form 146 is required only when the remittance is chargeable to tax in India and Form 145 Part III is being filed. Small remittances below ₹5 lakh that are not taxable can use Form 145 Part I without a CA certificate.
Q: My bank is still asking for Form 15CA/15CB. What should I do?
Inform your bank that Form 15CA and 15CB have been replaced by Form 145 and Form 146 with effect from April 1, 2026 under the Income Tax Act 2025. Show them the Form 145 acknowledgement and Form 146 certificate — these are the legally valid documents from April 2026.
Q: Can I file Form 145 myself without a CA?
Form 145 itself can be filed by the remitter. However, if your remittance requires Part III, you must first obtain Form 146 from a CA — which cannot be self-filed.
Q: How many times can I remit money in a year?
Each remittance requires a separate Form 145 and Form 146. The annual repatriation limit from NRO accounts is USD 1 million per financial year.
Q: What is the penalty for not filing Form 145?
Under the Income Tax Act 2025, failure to file Form 145 when required can attract a penalty of ₹1 lakh. Additionally, the bank will not process the transfer without the required forms.
Q: Does Form 145/146 apply to NRE account transfers?
Generally no. NRE accounts hold foreign income which is freely repatriable. Form 145/146 is primarily required for NRO account remittances which hold Indian-source income.
Q: I remitted money 2 years ago under the old law. Do I use old forms or new forms now?
If you are remitting now (after April 1, 2026), you must use Form 145 and Form 146. The date of the underlying transaction does not matter — what matters is the date of remittance.
Q: Can I get Form 145/146 done online without visiting a CA office?
Yes. The entire process is done online. The CA handles everything over email — document collection, Form 146 preparation, portal filing, and delivery of certificates. No physical visit required.
About NRI Tax CA — The Team Behind Every Filing
NRI Tax CA is a specialised tax practice built exclusively around the needs of Non-Resident Indians. Our team combines Indian CA qualifications, international accounting credentials, and hands-on experience across multiple jurisdictions — so every filing reflects both Indian tax law and the cross-border realities NRIs actually face.
We are not a general accounting firm that handles NRI cases occasionally. NRI taxation — DTAA, FEMA, Form 145/146, cross-border capital gains — is the only work we do. That focus means our team stays current on every regulatory change, including the April 2026 transition to the Income Tax Act 2025.
Our Team Qualifications
| Qualification | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| FCA — Fellow Chartered Accountant (ICAI) | Every Form 146 certificate is signed under full ICAI professional liability. Legally valid at any Indian bank. |
| CPA Australia | Deep understanding of Australian tax treatment of Indian income — essential for NRIs in Australia claiming foreign tax credits. |
| Certified Forensic Auditor | Rigorous documentation standards on every case — complete paper trail, no loose ends. |
| Insurance Surveyor & Loss Assessor | Adds depth to advisory on asset-related NRI cases including property and estate matters. |
| 14+ Years Combined Practice | Our team has handled NRI cases across UAE, UK, USA, Australia, Canada and Singapore. |
How Our Team Works
Every case that comes in is reviewed by our CA team before a quote is sent. Nothing is auto-generated. When you submit your documents, a qualified team member analyses your DTAA position, reviews the TDS computation, and certifies the Form 146 personally. You get a written record of every step.
We work with a limited number of clients each month — by design. When real money and two tax systems are involved, every file deserves full attention.
- ✓ ICAI Registered — Fellow Chartered Accountant
- ✓ CPA Australia qualified team
- ✓ 14+ years combined practice across Indian and international tax
- ✓ NRI clients served across 5+ countries
- ✓ Fixed price quoted before you share any documents
- ✓ 24-48 hour turnaround on all standard cases
- ✓ 100% online — no office visit required
- ✓ All communication documented in writing
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Form 145 only | Starting ₹1,499 |
| Form 146 certificate only | Starting ₹2,999 |
| Form 145 + Form 146 combined | Starting ₹3,999 |
| NRI ITR filing | Starting ₹3,499 |
| Property sale complete package | Starting ₹4,999 |
Ready to get started? Email us at hello@nritaxca.com — we respond within 2 hours with a fixed quote.
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This guide is updated as of April 2026 and reflects the provisions of the Income Tax Act 2025. For personalised advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified Chartered Accountant.