NRIs should apply to I-T dept for relief from double taxation: Experts

If they have lost non-resident status because of enforced stay in India, this can bring them some reprieve

With the September 30 deadline for filing income tax returns for 2020-21 (assessment year 2021-22) fast approaching, non-resident Indians (NRIs) who were forced to overstay in India because of the pandemic are worried about whether they should file their tax return as ‘resident’ or ‘non-resident’.

How is residential status determined? 

According to Kapil Rana, foun­der and chairman of HostBooks: “The taxability of a person’s income depends on his residential status in the country.” That in turn depends on the number of days spent in India in the relevant financial year. A person’s residential status is tested every financial year.

A person can fall