Do you receive money from parents, siblings, the in-laws, or close relatives in India? Effective 1 April 2026, India’s new income tax rules have reshaped foreign remittance compliance. A major change is that Forms 15CA and 15CB are not valid anymore. Those have been replaced by Form 145 and Form 146, bringing a more structured and transparent approach to how outbound payments are reported and taxed in India.
What are Forms 145 and 146 under Income Tax Rules 2026?
Form 145 and Form 146 are part of the updated framework for furnishing details of remittances from India to a non-resident Indian. The IT Form 145 is a declaration that the person who sends or transfer money abroad from India must submit to furnish details of the remittance and applicable TDS. Form 146 is the CA certificate used in specific cases to verify tax details. These forms apply to anyone sending money outside India, including individuals, NRIs with funds in India, businesses, and companies.
Why Form 145 and 146 matter for foreign remittances
Form 145 and 146 replace the earlier Form 15CA and Form 15CB, making the reporting process more organized and transparent. These forms ensure that:
- Applicable taxes are deducted before money leaves India
- Payments to NRIs or foreign nationals are properly reported
- You avoid penalties or delays from banks
In most cases, banks will not process your transfer without proper compliance.
Understanding Form 145 Parts A, B, C, and D
Form 145 is divided into four parts, and the one you need depends on the nature of the payment, its taxability, and the total amount involved during the financial year.
Part A: Taxable remittances up to ₹5 lakh
Part A applies when the remittance is taxable and the aggregate of such payments to a non-resident during the financial year does not exceed ₹5 lakh. In this case, the process is simple, and only a basic declaration is required without any additional certification.
Part B: When you have an AO certificate
Part B is used when you have obtained a certificate from the Assessing Officer allowing lower or nil tax deduction on the remittance. Since the tax authorities have already reviewed and approved the tax treatment, there is no requirement for a CA certificate in this case.
Part C: Taxable remittances above ₹5 lakh
Part C applies when the remittance is taxable and the aggregate amount exceeds ₹5 lakh during the financial year. In such cases, you must obtain a CA certificate, which is Form 146 before filing Form 145. The Chartered Accountant verifies the taxability, applicable TDS rate, and compliance with tax laws. This is common for larger payments such as professional fees, consultancy charges, or property-related transactions.
Part D: Non-taxable remittances
Part D of Form 145 is used when the remittance is not taxable under the Income Tax Act and falls under specified non-taxable or exempt categories. In such cases, only a declaration is required, and no CA or AO certification is needed.
How and where to file Form 145 and Form 146
Form 145 is filed online through the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal before making any foreign remittance. You need to log in using your PAN, access the e-File section, select the relevant form, and enter details such as the remitter, recipient, amount, purpose of payment, and its taxability. Once submitted, the form must be e-verified, and the acknowledgment is usually required by the bank to process the transfer.
You can submit Form 146 directly. A Chartered Accountant files it online after reviewing the tax details of the transaction. The certificate is then referenced in Form 145, where applicable, to ensure compliance before the remittance is made.
Is Form 145 for both NRIs and foreign citizens?
Yes, but only in outward remittance scenarios. In simple terms, if money is leaving India and is taxable, these rules apply. Applicable when:
- Money is sent from India to an NRI or foreign citizen
- NRIs transfer money abroad from their NRO accounts
Not applicable when:
- Money is coming into India
- NRIs send funds to India
- Foreign citizens transfer or invest money into India
Important rules and penalties for non-compliance
- Form 145 must be filed before each remittance
- A separate form is required for every transaction
- Non-filing or incorrect details can attract a penalty of up to ₹1 lakh
- Banks may block or reject transfers without proper Form 145 compliance
Forms 145 and 146 are designed to make foreign remittances more transparent and tax-compliant. The key is to understand that everything depends on taxability and type of payment, not just the amount.
