Chartered Accountant · ICAI M.No. 153926 · FRN 136869W
When the CA certificate is needed
A chartered accountant’s Form 15CB is required when the money you are sending abroad is chargeable to tax and exceeds ₹5 lakh in the financial year. The CA certifies the nature of the payment, whether tax/TDS applies, and any DTAA relief — which gives the bank comfort to release the funds.
When it isn't
For smaller amounts, or for payments on the RBI’s specified list that are not taxable, you may need only Form 15CA (your own declaration), or nothing at all. The threshold and exempt list can change — confirm the current rules.
A worked example
Example: repatriating ₹40 lakh of NRO funds, the CA reviews the source and tax, issues Form 15CB, and you file Form 15CA Part C — the bank then remits. By contrast, transferring ₹2 lakh of already-taxed savings might need only a simpler declaration. Getting the CA certificate right avoids the bank bouncing the request. The certificate is not a rubber stamp — the CA is certifying that the correct tax and any treaty position have been applied, so they will want to see the source of the funds and proof that tax was paid or is not due. Building in a day or two for the CA to review, rather than asking for 15CB on the spot, makes the remittance smoother. Our NRI repatriation & FEMA service issues 15CB and files 15CA.