When you are working in UAE, then the matter of paying tax in India may not even come to mind. But if you are Indian and even while living here, you have some relationship with India like there is a flat, bank account or someone has made an investment, then this year you may have to file tax returns in India this year.
Even if you do not have any tax, you can still be beneficial to fill the return. So let us understand it in very easy language, who should fill the return, what is the benefit of it and how can you do it online by sitting in Dubai.
Do I really want to file India’s tax return?
If your earnings are only from UAE and there is no income in India, then you do not have to file tax.
But even if you have anything of these, yes you should fill the return:
India is earning from rent
NRO account is getting interest
You have sold property, share or mutual funds
There is a tax deducted in India and you want to withdraw his money
You want to save the losses in investment for next year
You have shares of an Indian company or you are its director
You have been so many days in India that you can be considered a ‘resident’
The direct rule is: If your income of your India is more than ₹ 2.5 lakh, then it is necessary to fill tax returns.
And if you have sold something and have made profits (eg shares or land), then you have to fill the return, even if the profit is less than ₹ 2.5 lakh.
Which income is taxed in India for NRI?
Which is not taxed:
UAE salary
Interest from NRE and FCNR account
Money sent from abroad from abroad
Which is taxed in India:
House rent in India
Interest from NRO account
Profit from selling property, share or gold in India
Earning from any service done in India
Earning from any business running in India
If you have to pay tax, how much has to be paid?
Money is deducted according to tax slabs in India:
₹ 2.5 Lakh – ₹ 5 Lakh: 5% Tax
₹ 5 Lakh – ₹ 10 Lakh: 20%
Over ₹ 10 lakh: 30%
If you have sold something (eg shares, property):
Keep in mind: NRIs do not get a discount of ₹ 2.5 lakh on capital gains (profits). That is, small profits will also come under tax.
Even if there is no earning in India this year?
Even then, filling a ‘zero return’ is a sense of understanding. Why?
Tax record will be clear
It will be easy to take a loan in India
If you want to come back to India, then this evidence will be useful
If there is a loss in investment, you can save it next time
If the money is to be sent back to UAE, it will help
Understand this – as the passport renewed on time, it will not be necessary yet but later it will work.
What is the last date for filing returns this year?
The last date for most NRIs is 15 September 2025. If there is an audit in your case or a particular rule applies, the date may be different. But this is the deadline for most people. The government may extend the date, but do not trust it already fill it.
How to fill tax returns from Dubai?
Now everything is online, there is no need to come to India.
Step-by-step method:
Inometax.gov.in Go to
Log in or register from PAN number
Click ‘File Income Tax Return’
If you do not understand the form, choose ‘Help Me Choose My ITR Form’
Fill your income information (some information is already filled)
If you want to pay tax then pay
Premit and submit the returns
E-Verify-Aadhaar OTP, Bank Account or Net Banking
If these methods do not work, you can print the ITR-V form and send it to Bangalore.
An important thing about TDS…
If the TDS has been deducted on your earnings from the fare, dividend or mutual fund, it does not mean that you are released from filing tax returns.
Many NRIs do not take refunds just because they do not fill the returns, you can lose your money!
A checklist for NRIS living in UAE:
Is your annual earning in India more than ₹ 2.5 lakh?
Have you sold a property or shares in India?
Do you want to forward tax refund or investment deficit?
Are you thinking of taking a loan in India in future?
Is there a residency status confuse because of your India-UAE trip?
If the answer of any of these is “yes”, then definitely fill the return. Nowadays it has become very easy – and you will thank yourself later.
Staying tax returns of India by staying in UAE is no longer a big deal, there is another online work in your financial list.
Whether you are investing in India, sending money there or want to keep your document clear, filling a simple return will benefit you in many ways. Do a little hard work now, so that there is no trouble further.
