NRIs Guide to Buying Property in India the Easy Way
An NRI or a Non-Resident Indian can buy, property in
India with ease. It’s not as complex and time-consuming as it used to be
earlier, now with the help of Nimmadhi you can get all that you need doing
within a few days! First, you get an insight into what property an NRI can buy,
what documents are needed, how to fund the purchase, how joint ownership works,
taxes for NRI property in India, POA, and all the services Nimmahi provides
NRI customers who are looking to buy property in India.
What property can
an NRI buy in India
To buy residential
or commercial property in India is pretty easy once you have your funds sorted
out. But it’s important to note that an NRI has to get special permission from
the RBI and the government if they are looking to buy agricultural land,
plantation property or a farm house in India.
Documentation that
an NRI needs to buy property in India
The good part is that you don’t need to show too many
documents when you are looking to buy property, you’ll need a valid passport,
address proof, a Permanent Account Number (PAN card) and a recent photograph.
How NRIs can pay
for the property they buy in India
If an NRI does not
have the funds with them ready, it’s possible to get a home loan. The RBI has
now granted permission to banks and housing finance institutions that are
registered with the National Housing Bank to provide home loans for NRIs to buy
residential property in India. All transactions have to be made in Indian
currency. The loan, however, cannot be credited directly to the bank account of
an NRI. It will be disbursed to either the seller’s or the developer’s bank
account directly. The loan can be repaid using funds in an NRI’s
NRO(Non-Residential Ordinary) /NRE(Non-Resident External) account or FCNR
(Fixed Deposit Foreign Currency account) deposits.
If an NRI is
making a part or full payment without a home loan, then they can do so by
remitting the money through authorised banking channels from abroad. They can
also use money in their NRE/NRO or FCNR accounts. Traveller’s cheques or
foreign currency is not an acceptable means of payment.
Home loans can be
paid by using the funds in the NRO account, remitting money through banking
channels, or even from the rent earned after subletting the property.
Joint ownership of
property in India
An NRI can buy
property in their own name or jointly with any other NRI. The property cannot
be in joint ownership with a resident Indian or with those who are otherwise
not allowed to buy property in India.
NRI property tax
for Indian Property
NRIs and resident
Indians have different tax systems they have to follow. So, NRIs who buy
property have to deduct Income Tax at 1% if the value of the property is more
than 50 lakhs and this amount has to be paid to the Income Tax Department. But,
if you’re buying this property from another NRI this rate is much higher. If
the property is for self-use and is financed through a home loan, the interest
paid on the loan is deductible from the NRI’s total taxable income. The
deductible amount is capped at Rs.1.5 lakhs and NRIs can also get tax deduction
benefits on the repayment of the loan.
If the property is
not for self-use but to earn rental income, then also NRIs can deduct the
interest on the loan from their taxable income but with no maximum limit of
Rs.1.5 lakhs. NRIs can also use house tax as a deduction on their taxes. It’s
also important to note that 30% of rental income is allowed as a standard
deduction for repairs, irrespective if the repairs were carried out.
POA For Buying
Property in India
For those NRIs who
can’t be physically present in India to buy property, there is such a thing
known as Power of Attorney or POA. This means that you as an NRI can choose
someone close to you such as a trusted relative, friend or even colleague and
allow them (legally) to complete the transaction on your behalf. They will be
signing agreements and other official documents on your behalf.
To get a valid POA
you have to visit the Indian Embassy of the city and country where you are
located and sign the document in front of the consulate officer. The documents
also requires a photograph, your left thumb impression and your signature; if
it is to be considered as valid. Once this is done, you can send this POA
document to India, where it has to be adjudicated. Ask your POA to maintain all
the required documents for you and send it to you.
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