ITR-2 guide for NRIs: which form, key schedules and filing steps
Most NRIs file ITR-2 — for income from salary, house property, capital gains and other sources, but not business income. ITR-2 includes Schedule FA (foreign assets) and Schedule FSI (foreign income) required for NRIs. Filing is mandatory if India-source income exceeds the basic exemption or you have capital gains.
Most NRIs file ITR-2
NRIs with salary, house property income, capital gains or NRO interest — but no business income — file ITR-2. NRIs with business or professional income file ITR-3. ITR-2 includes Schedule FA for foreign assets (mandatory if any foreign account or investment), Schedule FSI for foreign income and Schedule TR for tax relief under DTAA.
Key points
- ITR-2 for most NRIs — ITR-2 covers salary, house property, capital gains and NRO income. ITR-3 is needed only if you have India business or professional income.
- Schedule FA is mandatory — Even if you have no India income, NRIs who have foreign assets (NRE/NRO accounts, overseas bank accounts) must file Schedule FA if they are filing ITR.
- Deadline: July 31 (basic), Oct 31 (audit) — The standard ITR filing deadline for NRIs is July 31. If audit is required, October 31. Belated returns can be filed until December 31 with a late fee.
Key ITR-2 schedules for NRIs
Schedule S: salary income from Indian employer or globally if you are Indian-resident.
Schedule HP: house property income — rental income from Indian property, annual letting value.
Schedule CG: capital gains — equity, mutual fund, property, gold. Use the applicable sub-schedules for STCG and LTCG.
Schedule OS: other sources — NRO FD interest, dividend income, winnings.
Schedule FA: foreign assets — mandatory for NRIs who hold any foreign bank account, investment, insurance policy or immovable property outside India (even if not taxable in India).
Schedule FSI: foreign income — income earned and received outside India.
Schedule TR: tax relief — DTAA relief claimed, foreign tax paid and credit calculation.
Step-by-step filing for NRIs
Step 1: Collect documents — Form 26AS, AIS, Form 16 (if any), bank statements for NRE/NRO, capital gains statements from broker or mutual fund.
Step 2: Log into the Income Tax e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in) and select ITR-2 for the relevant assessment year.
Step 3: Fill personal details — confirm residential status as 'Non-Resident' and select the applicable tax regime (old or new).
Step 4: Complete all relevant schedules. For NRIs, Schedule FA must be filled even if foreign assets generate no Indian tax liability.
Step 5: Validate, compute tax, pay any outstanding tax or advance tax balance, and e-verify with Aadhaar OTP, net banking or DSC.
Step 6: Download the ITR-V acknowledgement.
Frequently asked questions
Do NRIs need to file ITR even if all income is from NRE interest?
If your only India-source income is NRE interest (which is exempt) and you have no taxable India income, ITR filing is technically not mandatory. However, filing is recommended to claim TDS refunds and as documentary evidence of NRI status.
Is Schedule FA required if I only have an NRE account?
Schedule FA is required if you hold any foreign assets. An NRE account is an Indian account — it does not appear in Schedule FA. Foreign bank accounts (overseas) and investments are what Schedule FA captures.
Can an NRI file ITR online without visiting India?
Yes. ITR-2 can be filed entirely online on the Income Tax e-filing portal. e-verification can be done via net banking, Aadhaar OTP (if registered mobile is active) or by uploading a signed ITR-V to CPC Bengaluru.