NRI Tax services
Reduce TDS on Property Sale in India
Cut the 12.5% tax deduction at source
legally and before the buyer pays you
NRIs: Stop overpaying tax at closing. Get a lower tax deduction certificate before the buyer deducts.
- NRI selling property
- Buyer needing lower TDS clearance
- Real estate agents for NRIs
- Valuation of inherited property
then plans start at $109
Why succession planning matters for NRIs
The problem most NRIs don't see coming
When an NRI sells property in India, the buyer must legally deduct 12.5% TDS plus surcharge and cess as applicable on the ENTIRE sale price – not just the profit.
Example: Sell for ₹1 crore → Buyer deducts ₹12.5 lakhs TDS. But your actual gain after indexation is only ₹20 lakhs → tax due ~₹2.5 lakhs. You overpay by ₹10 lakhs.
Then you wait months (or years) for a refund from the Income Tax Department.
The solution: Section 197 Lower Deduction Certificate
Apply for a Lower Tax Deduction Certificate before the sale closes. The certificate tells the buyer: “Deduct only X% (sometimes 0%) instead of 12.5%.”
We handle the entire application – Form 13, capital gains computation, CA coordination, and IT department follow-up.
Free consult to check if you qualify.
Estimated time
4–6 weeks
Docs needed
5–7 documents
Authorities
Income Tax Dept (India)
Starting price
$109 (after free consult)
Default vs. Lower Tax Deduction Certificate
Scenario
Default (No Certificate)
With Lower Deduction Certificate
TDS deducted
12.5% on full sale price
As low as 0-5% (based on actual gain)
Cash flow at closing
Money stuck with government
More money in your pocket
Refund wait time
12–24 months
No refund needed
Capital losses considered?
No
Yes – stocks, mutual funds offset gains
Documents Checklist
- Property Documents
- Property purchase deed & agreement to sell
- Cost of improvement bills (renovation/repairs)
- Tax & Identity Documents
- PAN (India) and passport
- Latest Form 26AS and ITR (if filed)
- Last two years India income tax returns
- Financial Context
- TDS computation sheet (if available)
- Broker statement for purchase and sale of shares
- Capital gains statement for shares & mutual funds
- Anticipated bank interest calculations
- Additional (If Applicable)
- Inherited property – will / succession certificate
- Further real estate investment details (if any)
Why more documents = stronger case:
If you have capital losses from stocks, mutual funds, or other assets, we can offset them against your property gains. This can bring your TDS rate down to 0% in some cases. The Income Tax Department needs to see your full financial picture – we help you present it correctly.
Service Highlights
- Avoid unnecessary 20%+ TDS deduction
- Get legal clearance from IT department
- Improve cash flow at time of sale
- Faster execution of property registration
Important timing note:
Apply BEFORE the sale closes. Once the buyer deducts TDS, the money goes to the government. Getting a refund takes months. The lower tax deduction certificate must be issued before the buyer makes the deduction. If your sale is already in progress, contact us immediately we may still be able to help.
- Free consult: 30-min call. Review property, purchase date, improvements, and overall capital gains picture.
- Document collection: Share purchase deed, agreement to sell, tax returns, and any capital loss statements.
- Application preparation : We prepare Form 13 with accurate capital gains computation (including indexation)
- CA coordination : We work with a Chartered Accountant for certification (required in many cases).
- IT department filing : We file your application with the jurisdictional Assessing Officer.
- Certificate delivery : We track, respond to queries, and deliver the final lower TDS certificate.
Typical timeline: 4–6 weeks from application to certificate. Expedited possible in some jurisdictions.
Enquire About Reducing TDS on Property Sale
Pricing
First consultation free (15 min) — then plans start at $399
Standard
$109.00
Simple property sale with clear capital gains
- Form 13 preparation
- Capital gains computation
- Basic IT department follow-up
Complex / Inherited
$199.00
Inherited property, multiple owners, or improvement costs
- Everything in Standard
- Cost basis reconstruction (inherited)
- Indexation benefit calculation
- CA coordination included
With Capital Losses
$299.00
- Everything in Complex
- Full portfolio loss analysis
- Inter-asset gain/loss offsetting
- Aggressive rate reduction strategy
All plans include free consult, document review, and IT department follow-up until certificate is issued.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our services and how we can help you with your NRI Tax needs.
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes. 30 minutes, no obligation. We'll tell you if you qualify for lower tax deduction and what rate you might achieve – before you pay anything.
What's the normal TDS rate for NRIs selling property?
12.5% plus surcharge and cess as applicable on the entire sale consideration – not just the profit.
How low can the tax deduction go?
It depends. If actual gain is very low (or zero), we can get TDS reduced to as low as 0%. Capital losses from stocks or mutual funds can offset gains further.
How long does the certificate last?
Typically valid for one financial year. You can apply again if you have multiple property sales.
What if the sale is urgent?
We can request expedited processing in certain jurisdictions. Not guaranteed, but we've seen certificates issued in 2–3 weeks.
Does this work for inherited property?
Yes. Your cost basis is the original owner's purchase price (with indexation). We'll compute this correctly using historical data.
What if TDS was already deducted?
You can still file your income tax return to claim a refund. But getting a certificate beforehand is always better for cash flow.
Do I need to be in India for this?
No. We handle everything remotely – filing, follow-up, and certificate delivery via email/WhatsApp.