NRI Tax Compliance Calendar: Every Deadline You Need (FY 2026-27)
Missing a tax deadline as an NRI does not just mean a late fee. It can mean losing the right to carry forward losses, paying interest on tax you did not know you owed, or having your repatriation held up because Form 145/146 was not filed in time. Here is every deadline that matters for NRIs in FY 2026-27.
The Calendar
| Date | What | Who |
|---|---|---|
| June 15, 2026 | Advance tax - 1st instalment (15%) | NRIs with tax liability above Rs 10,000 after TDS |
| July 15, 2026 | TDS return Form 144 (earlier 27Q) - Q1 (Apr-Jun) | Buyers/tenants who deducted TDS on NRI payments |
| July 31, 2026 | Form 131 (earlier 16A) Q1 issuance deadline | Buyers/tenants to NRI sellers/landlords |
| July 31, 2027 | ITR filing deadline (non-audit) | NRIs with Indian income above Rs 3 lakh or claiming refund |
| September 15, 2026 | Advance tax - 2nd instalment (45% cumulative) | NRIs with advance tax obligation |
| October 15, 2026 | TDS return Form 144 - Q2 (Jul-Sep) | Buyers/tenants |
| October 31, 2027 | ITR filing deadline (audit cases) | NRIs with business income requiring audit |
| October 31, 2026 | Form 131 (Q2) issuance deadline | Buyers/tenants |
| December 15, 2026 | Advance tax - 3rd instalment (75% cumulative) | NRIs with advance tax obligation |
| December 31, 2027 | Belated ITR filing deadline | NRIs who missed July 31 (Rs 5,000 late fee applies) |
| January 15, 2027 | Form 131 (Q3) issuance deadline | Buyers/tenants |
| January 31, 2027 | TDS return Form 144 - Q3 (Oct-Dec) | Buyers/tenants |
| March 15, 2027 | Advance tax - final instalment (100%) | NRIs with advance tax obligation |
| March 31, 2027 | End of financial year | Residential status determined for full year |
| May 31, 2027 | TDS return Form 144 - Q4 (Jan-Mar) | Buyers/tenants |
| Before remittance | Form 145 (ex-15CA) filing | NRI initiating any taxable foreign remittance |
| Before remittance | Form 146 (ex-15CB) CA certificate | For remittances above Rs 5 lakh (CA issues) |
| Before ITR due date | Form 67 for foreign tax credit | Residents/RNOR claiming DTAA credit |
Key Notes
- Advance tax: Most NRIs whose income is covered by TDS (rent, interest, property gains) do not need to pay advance tax since TDS covers the liability. Advance tax is relevant when there is income without TDS (e.g., capital gains on stocks sold through a broker where TDS was not deducted on the gain).
- Form 144 (earlier Form 27Q): This is the tenant's or buyer's responsibility, not the NRI's. But the NRI should ensure it is filed, because their TDS credit in Form 26AS depends on it. See our 26QB vs 27Q guide.
- Form 145/146: Unlike other deadlines, these are event-driven - they must be filed before the remittance, not by a fixed date. See our Form 15CA/15CB guide.
- Residential status is determined at year-end (March 31) based on total days in India during the year. Track your days throughout the year, not just at filing time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do NRIs need to pay advance tax?
Yes, if the total tax liability for the year exceeds Rs 10,000 after TDS credits. Advance tax is payable in quarterly instalments: 15% by June 15, 45% by September 15, 75% by December 15, and 100% by March 15. Failure to pay attracts interest under Sections 234B and 234C. In practice, most NRIs whose income is limited to TDS-covered sources (rent, interest, property gains) do not need advance tax because TDS covers their liability.
What is the penalty for late ITR filing by NRIs?
Filing after July 31 but before December 31 attracts a late fee of Rs 5,000 under Section 234F (Rs 1,000 if total income is below Rs 5 lakh). Filing after December 31 is not permitted for the original return. Additionally, interest under Section 234A accrues at 1% per month on unpaid tax from the due date until filing. Losses (except house property loss) cannot be carried forward if the return is filed late.
When is the FLA return due?
The Annual FLA (Foreign Liabilities and Assets) return is due by July 15 of each year and must be filed by Indian entities that have received foreign direct investment (FDI) or made overseas direct investment (ODI). This applies to companies and LLPs, not individual NRIs. Individual NRIs disclose foreign assets through Schedule FA in their ITR, not the FLA return.