Management Consulting (US-based)
NRI Services
NRI Property Tax Filing for a US-Based Consultant with Rental Income
How WizBiz helped a US-based NRI file 3 years of belated Indian tax returns, claim DTAA benefits, and reduce TDS on rental income from 30% to 10%.
NRI Property Tax Filing | US-Based Consultant | Case Study | WizBiz
NRI, USA, DTAA, Rental Income, TDS, Belated Return, Ahmedabad, FBAR, FATCA
WizBiz Team
Challenge
Meera Patel, a management consultant working in New York since 2021, owned two residential properties in Ahmedabad that generated rental income of ₹6 lakh per year. She had not filed Indian income tax returns since moving to the US, believing her income was below the taxable threshold. In June 2025, her tenant's CA informed her that TDS of 30% was being deducted on the rent payments because she hadn't provided her PAN or filed returns. She was also confused about her tax obligations under the India-US Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) and was worried about being taxed twice on the same income.
Solution
Our NRI tax team conducted a comprehensive analysis: (1) Determined her residential status — she was a 'Non-Resident Indian' as she had spent less than 60 days in India in each of the last 3 years; (2) Filed 3 years of belated returns under Section 139(4) reporting only Indian-sourced income; (3) Claimed DTAA benefits — as a US tax resident, her US-sourced income was not taxable in India; (4) Guided her on Form 15CA/15CB for lower TDS on rental income going forward; (5) Helped her obtain a Lower TDS Certificate under Section 197 to reduce TDS from 30% to 10%; (6) Advised on foreign asset disclosure in US tax returns and Form 8938 compliance; (7) Recommended NRE account for rental income to facilitate tax-free repatriation.
RESULTS
All 3 belated returns were filed with zero additional tax liability (rental income was below the basic exemption limit after standard deduction). The TDS rate on future rent payments was reduced from 30% to 10%, saving ₹48,000 per year in blocked TDS. Form 15CA/15B was set up for the current year. Meera now files her Indian returns annually within the deadline. She also received guidance on reporting Indian assets to the IRS under FBAR and FATCA requirements.
Key Metrics
Returns Filed: 3 Years (Belated)
Rental Income: ₹6 Lakh/Year
TDS Rate Reduced: 30% → 10%
TDS Saving: ₹48,000/Year
DTAA Benefit: Claimed
US Compliance: FBAR, FATCA guidance given
Testimonial
As an NRI living in the US, Indian taxes seemed like a completely different world. WizBiz explained everything in simple terms, handled all the paperwork, and got my TDS reduced from 30% to 10%. They even guided me on my US tax reporting obligations for Indian assets. Truly a one-stop solution for NRI tax needs.
