In the case of a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), income earned outside India is not taxable. If a resident has income earned outside India, it is taxable in India and must be reported in ITR. In most cases, the foreign country also imposes a tax on such foreign income. To avoid the same income getting taxed in two different countries, the taxpayer can avail the benefit of DTAA. Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement is an agreement between two countries to avoid double taxation for the taxpayer. Under this article, we shall read more about the DTAA between India and the USA to avoid double taxation in India and USA.
Rahul, a resident of India works in the USA and pays Federal Income Tax levied by the USA government. Since he is a resident in India, such foreign income would be taxable in India too. To avoid double taxation of the same income in two different countries, India has entered into DTAA with USA.
The government of both countries entered into a DTAA with the intention of providing either of the following:
DTAA between India and USA is applicable to individual, trust, partnership firm, company or other entity having income in both countries. The DTAA covers the following taxes:
For any taxpayer having source of income in two countries, it is important to determine residential status in each country.
Enter Number of Days of your stay, citizenship and Person of Origin detials to check your residence status.
Enter Number of Days of your stay, citizenship and Person of Origin detials to check your residence status.
A resident is a person who as per the relevant law of each country is liable to pay tax because of residence, citizenship, domicile, place of management, place of incorporation, or similar criteria. If a taxpayer is a resident of both the countries i.e. India & USA, residence should be determined as follows:
If a resident has earned income from immovable property, they should pay tax in the country in which such immovable property is located. Following are the types of income from immovable property:
If a resident company pays a dividend to a resident of another country, the dividend income is taxable in the country in which it is received.
For example: If a US company pays a dividend to a shareholder who is an Indian resident, such a dividend would be taxable in India.
However, the dividend may also be taxed in the paying country and if the taxpayer is a resident of receiving country, then the tax on the dividend cannot exceed the following:
For example: The dividend paid by an Indian company to a USA resident is taxable in the USA. If such dividend is received in India, it is taxable in India too. However, the tax on such dividends should not exceed the above-specified limits.
If interest income arises in a country and is paid to a resident of another country, it is taxable in the country in which the receiver is a resident.
For example: If a US resident earns interest income in India, it is taxable in the USA.
However, the interest may also be taxed in the country in which it arises and if the taxpayer is a resident of receiving country, then the tax on the dividend cannot exceed the following:
For example: If such interest income is taxable in India also, then the tax in India should not exceed the above-mentioned limits.
The income of a professor, teacher or research scholar who moves to another country is exempt from tax if they fulfill the following conditions:
For example: Shreya (resident in India) moves to the USA for an exchange program as a teacher in a recognized college. The income she earns in the USA would be exempt from tax up to 2 years.
If a resident in India earns an income that is taxed in the USA, the taxpayer can claim a deduction of an amount equal to income tax paid in the USA. However, such deduction should not exceed income tax in India on such foreign income. Thus, the resident earning foreign income can claim relief of the tax paid on foreign income.
Resident in USA can claim credit against the USA tax for the amount of:
Non-Resident in India need to report and pay tax on any income earned outside India i.e. foreign income.
Resident in India earning a foreign income should report such income and foreign assets in the Income Tax Return.
The taxpayer should add details of foreign income i.e. income earned outside India. Enter the following details:
Once the taxpayer adds details of Foreign Income in Schedule FSI, the details in Schedule TR (Tax Relief) get populated. The double taxation relief is reduced from the tax calculation.
If the taxpayer holds any foreign assets outside India, they must report it under Schedule FA i.e. Foreign Assets.
To claim the foreign tax credit, the taxpayer should file Form 67 online on the income tax website before filing the Income Tax Return. Form 67 comprises details of foreign income and tax relief on such income.
