Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are generally not exempt from GST in India and must pay it on taxable goods and services, such as purchasing under-construction property, renting, or consulting. While some sources indicate potential, specific, and often contested, refunds or waivers for insurance premiums, NRIs acting as Non-Resident Taxable Persons (NRTPs) often face mandatory registration.
Non-resident Indians have the same rights as Indian citizens when it comes to Goods and Services Tax (GST) exemptions. If a Non-Resident Indian meets the criteria set out in the applicable law, he/she can avail of this benefit.
GST paid in India by NRIs is eligible for a refund. However, the eligibility primarily depends on the following factors: Mode of payment: An NRI should ensure that all payments for the purchase are made from an NRE (Non-Resident External) account.
This exemption applies based on the type of supply, not the supplier. Example: Healthcare services, educational services, and public utility services (e.g., water supply) are exempt from GST. This exemption is unconditional, meaning the supply is fully exempt from GST without any terms or conditions attached.
According to income tax rules for NRIs, you can enjoy tax exemptions on the following income types: Interest from a foreign currency non-resident rupee (FCNR) account or non-resident external (NRE) account. Interest on 'NRI Bonds 1988' and 'NRI Bonds' (Second Series), issued by SBI purchased in foreign exchange.
New rules for NRIs in India focus on stricter tax residency criteria from April 2026, increasing the stay threshold to 120 days for high-income NRIs (over ₹15 lakh Indian income) to become Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR) and introducing "deemed residency" for high-income Indians in tax havens; also, higher TCS thresholds for LRS remittances (to ₹10L) and removal of TCS for education loans are recent changes from Budget 2025-26, alongside increased reporting of foreign assets.
The GST/HST break includes certain qualifying goods, such as:
But persons who are engaged exclusively in the business of supplying goods or services or both that are not liable to tax or wholly exempt from tax or an agriculturist, to the extent of supply of produce out of cultivation of land are not liable to register under GST.
The credit is designed to assist Canadians with low-to-moderate incomes. Single individuals making $52,255 or more (before tax) are not entitled to the credit. A married couple with four children cannot exceed an annual net income of $69,015.
Most NRIs pay income tax in the foreign country where they reside. For them, paying GST on their health insurance policy in India is no less than a burden. But by opting for a GST refund, they can claim a GST of 18% paid at the time of buying a medical insurance policy from India.
As the non-resident vendor is generally not considered to be carrying on business in Canada, they are not required to register for GST/HST purposes and, as a result would not be required or permitted to charge GST/HST on the supply of digital goods and services to Canadian customers.
In most cases, income earned in India is taxed in India first, and a foreign tax credit is provided in the US against the taxes paid in India. For instance, if a US-based NRI earns rental income in India and pays tax on it as per Indian slabs, that income still needs to be reported in their US tax return.
Maximum marginal rate is the highest rate of tax at any income level. This means for those with incomes between Rs 2 crore and Rs 5 crore, 39% will be the highest applicable tax rate, and for those with incomes above Rs 5 crore, it will be 42.74% — the highest tax rate since 1992.
Here's the deal: GST is built into almost everything you buy in India, from a hotel room in Mumbai to a fancy saree from Delhi. If you're a foreign tourist, you can't avoid it at the cash counter. There's no exception just because your passport comes from a different country.
In Australia, certain supplies of goods and services to non-residents can be treated as GST-free, meaning no Goods and Services Tax (GST) is charged. This treatment helps keep Australian businesses competitive in international markets and avoids double taxation for overseas customers.
Businesses dealing in goods are exempt from GST if their annual aggregate turnover is below INR 40 lakhs. For businesses in hilly and northeastern states, this threshold is reduced to INR 20 lakhs to address regional challenges. Service providers are exempt from GST if their turnover is under INR 20 lakhs annually.
If your GST turnover is below the $75,000 threshold, you may choose to register. But if you do, regardless of your turnover, you must: include GST in the price of most goods and services you sell. claim GST credits for most business purchases you make.
GST is leviable only if aggregate turnover is more than 20 lacs. (Rs. 10 lacs in 11 special category States). For computing aggregate supplies turnover of all supplies made by you would be added.
The GST exemption essentially allows the earmarking of transfers, made during lifetime or at death, that either skip a generation or are made in trust for multiple generations.
Small businesses with turnover below the GST registration threshold are not required to register for GST and therefore do not charge GST. GST exemptions also apply to the sale of a business as a going concern or when exporting goods and services under Australian export rules.
Common Examples of GST Exempt Transactions:
Financial services – Most banking services, interest payments, and insurance premiums. Residential rent – Rental income from residential properties. Donated goods and services – Items or services that are given away without payment.
New rules for NRIs in India focus on stricter tax residency criteria from April 2026, increasing the stay threshold to 120 days for high-income NRIs (over ₹15 lakh Indian income) to become Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR) and introducing "deemed residency" for high-income Indians in tax havens; also, higher TCS thresholds for LRS remittances (to ₹10L) and removal of TCS for education loans are recent changes from Budget 2025-26, alongside increased reporting of foreign assets.
You can use an NRE bank account to store foreign currency converted to Indian rupees, while an NRO account is used to keep both foreign income and money earned in India. NRO accounts have a limit for repatriation up to USD 1 million per financial year, but NRE accounts have no such limit.
NRIs can send tax-free gifts to relatives in India, but gifts to non-relatives over ₹50,000 annually may be taxable for the recipient under Indian tax law. This makes inward remittance a tax-efficient way to manage your overseas earnings.