The US is one of the most complex countries for NRI tax compliance — the IRS taxes based on citizenship and residency, meaning your worldwide income is always on the radar. NRIWallah helps you navigate the cross-border maze.
Key things US NRIs need to know
- Worldwide income reporting — the US taxes residents and citizens on all global income, including Indian rental income, FD interest, and capital gains.
- DTAA relief — the India-US DTAA prevents double taxation. Use our
US NRI tax calculator
to estimate your position.
- FATCA complications — many Indian mutual fund houses and banks restrict services for US-based NRIs. Check before investing.
- FBAR filing — if your aggregate foreign (Indian) account balances exceed USD 10,000 at any point during the year, file FinCEN Form 114.
Getting started
- File Indian taxes first — India’s deadline (July 31) comes before the US extended deadline for expats. See our
US tax guide
.
- Open NRE/NRO accounts — convert your resident accounts. Our
banking guide
explains the difference.
- Compare remittance rates — the USD-INR corridor has competitive options. Use our
INR converter
.
Key US NRI facts
- Tax year: Calendar year (January to December)
- Filing deadline: April 15 (automatic 2-month extension to June 15 for expats)
- 401(k) / IRA: Tax-advantaged retirement accounts — always max employer match first
- FBAR threshold: USD 10,000 aggregate in foreign accounts
- FATCA Form 8938: Required if foreign assets exceed USD 50,000 (USD 200,000 for joint filers abroad)
- Indian mutual funds: PFIC rules may apply, making US tax treatment unfavourable — consult a cross-border tax adviser
