Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can claim GST refunds in India, primarily on health and life insurance premiums paid via their NRE accounts. This exemption requires the NRI to be the policyholder, reside abroad for over 180 days, and submit documents like a Tax Residency Certificate (TRC).
Ans: If you are an NRI, you can claim a tax refund from your health insurance provider by raising a GST refund request and sharing the required documents, including a Tax Residency Certificate (TRC), a declaration, the last 6 months NRE account's bank statement, address proof abroad and KYC documents.
GST refund can be claimed by registered taxpayers as well as the unregistered taxpayers like international tourists can claim a tax refund while leaving the country.
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.
Tourists buying goods from retailers who participate in the electronic Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS) may claim a refund of the GST paid on purchases made in Singapore.
The Australian Government's Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) allows international travellers to claim a refund on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET). The government pays this on eligible purchases you make in Australia and take offshore when you meet certain conditions.
How to Avoid GST on Overseas Purchases Legally
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.
You must present the purchased items, original receipts, and your passport at the GST Refund Counter before check-in at the airport. ⚠️ Not all retailers allow receipts to be combined, and some may not offer refunds on both general and consumable goods. Always check in advance to avoid disappointment.
Tax on Repatriation From NRE Account
Only GST is applicable; 1. GST on INR to Foreign Currency Conversion – When repatriating money from your NRE account, the INR in the account is converted to foreign currency. For this, GST is applicable.
You are eligible for this credit if you are a resident of Canada for income tax purposes at the end of the month before and at the beginning of the month in which the CRA makes a payment (read When your GST/HST credit is paid). In the month before the CRA makes a quarterly payment, you must be at least 19 years old.
Yes, NRIs can claim refunds for TDS deducted on fixed deposits if the total tax liability is lower than the TDS deducted. The refund can be claimed by filing an ITR and ensuring that all TDS entries from banks are correctly reflected.
GST Refund for Tourists Visiting India
The person's stay in India should not exceed 6 months. Refunds can be claimed only when the tourist is leaving India and taking the goods out of the country. The goods must remain 'unconsumed' while leaving India.
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 claim GST credits if: you intend to use your purchase solely or partly for your business, and the purchase does not relate to making input-taxed supplies. the purchase price included GST. you provide or are liable to provide payment for the item you purchased.
The United States Government does not refund sales tax to foreign visitors. The foreign country in which you paid the Value Added Tax (VAT) is responsible for refunding the tax.
With the recent changes in the Indian Income Tax Act, it's now possible to pay zero tax on a salary of up to Rs. 7 lakhs. To pay zero tax on a 7 lakh salary using the old tax regime, maximize deductions: Claim Tax Rebate under Section 87A.
Include necessary documentation:
GST For NRIs
NRIs may be subject to GST on certain services or financial products they use in India, but they are not directly responsible for paying GST on their foreign income.
The "90-day rule" for non-residents typically refers to two different concepts: in U.S. immigration, it's a guideline for determining if a non-immigrant misrepresented their intent by engaging in certain activities (like unauthorized work or immediate marriage) within 90 days of arrival, leading to visa fraud or inadmissibility. In Canadian tax law, the 90% rule allows non-residents to claim full federal tax credits if 90% or more of their world income is from Canadian sources, otherwise, credits are prorated.
Visitors to Canada
Use this form if you are a non-resident visitor to Canada who paid goods and services tax / harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) on eligible short-term accommodation or goods. Except for Quebec sales tax (TVQ), as explained below, sales taxes from other provinces are not eligible for this refund.
Specific individuals and businesses are exempt from GST registration, including: Agriculturists (Also read - GST Exemption for Farmers) Individuals and businesses with an annual turnover below INR 40 lakhs for goods and INR 20 lakhs for services (INR 20 lakhs and INR 10 lakhs for specified categories)
If you didn't declare something, and an officer finds it in your luggage or on your person, they can take it away from you. Sometimes that's the end of it – you lose the item forever (it's confiscated and usually destroyed or auctioned off if it's legal goods).
In a word, yes. Declaring luxury goods to US Customs is always a good idea. All of your purchases abroad are subject to declaration by US Customs, and luxury goods have the highest likelihood of being inspected.