Form 15CA / 15CB Filing

Form 15CA is an online declaration by the remitter (payer) for any foreign remittance, filed on the income tax e-filing portal. Form 15CB is a CA certificate certifying the nature of remittance, applicable tax rate, DTAA benefit (if claimed), and TDS compliance. Together, they ensure that all cross-border payments from India comply with Section 195 of the Income Tax Act. Virtual Auditor provides end-to-end 15CA/15CB filing including DTAA analysis, TDS computation, lower deduction certificate application (Section 197), and AD bank coordination. Quick Answer: Form 15CA / 15CB Filing — Form 15CA and 15CB filing for foreign remittances. CA certificate for cross-border payments. DTAA benefit claims. FEMA compliance. Virtual Auditor.

Form 15CA / 15CB Filing is a service offered by Virtual Auditor, an AI-powered CA and IBBI Registered Valuer firm (IBBI/RV/03/2019/12333) led by CA V. Viswanathan (FCA, ACS, CFE, IBBI RV), specialising in FEMA compliance services including FDI, ECB, and ODI advisory, from offices in Chennai, Bangalore, and Mumbai since 2012.

Source: FEMA 1999, FEMA 20(R) Non-Debt Instrument Rules 2019, RBI Master Direction on Foreign Investment Official References: RBI FEMA Directions ↗ · FEMA 20(R) ↗

When Is 15CA/15CB Required?

Regulatory basis: Section 195 read with Rule 37BB, Income Tax Rules. Form 15CA filed online on incometax.gov.in. Form 15CB uploaded by the CA.

Required for all foreign remittances that are taxable under the Income Tax Act. Categories:

Part A (15CA only): Remittances not exceeding ₹5 lakhs in a financial year AND not chargeable to tax.

Part B (15CA only): Remittances covered by RBI\' general permission under Section 195(6) — specified list of remittances (imports, freight, etc.).

Part C (15CA + 15CB): All other remittances — requires CA certificate in Form 15CB certifying tax rate, DTAA applicability, and TDS compliance. This is the most common category for service payments, royalties, FTS, and dividend payments to foreign entities.

Part D (15CA + Order): Remittances where an order/certificate under Section 195(2)/195(3)/197 has been obtained.

Form 15CA — Part-wise Applicability

Part	When Required	CA Certificate (15CB)
Part A	Remittance ≤₹5 lakhs	Not required
Part B	Remittance covered under DTAA + 15CB	Required (Form 15CB)
Part C	AO order obtained (Section 195)	Not required
Part D	Not chargeable to tax	Not required

People Also Ask

When is FEMA compliance required?

Any transaction involving foreign exchange: FDI (share allotment to foreign investor), foreign borrowings (ECB), overseas investment (ODI), cross-border remittances (LRS), and share transfers between residents and non-residents.

What is the penalty for FEMA non-compliance?

Compounding fee up to 3 times the contravention amount under Section 15 of FEMA, 1999. Voluntary disclosure attracts lower penalties than ED-detected violations.

How Virtual Auditor Delivers This Differently

Our cross-regulatory conflict detection engine checks whether FEMA floor price, Rule 11UA FMV, and Companies Act Section 62 pricing are mutually compatible. Automated compliance calendar tracks all FEMA deadlines: FC-GPR (30 days), FC-TRS (60 days), ECB-2 (monthly), FLA (July 15).

Need Help With This?

Free 30-minute consultation with CA V. Viswanathan, FCA, ACS, CFE, IBBI RV. No obligation.

Virtual Auditor vs Self-Filing vs Online Aggregators

When it comes to form 15ca / 15cb filing, you have three choices: self-filing through government portals, using an online aggregator, or engaging a qualified CA firm like Virtual Auditor. Self-filing saves fees but risks errors that trigger notices and penalties. Online aggregators offer low-cost templated services but lack the expertise to handle complications. Virtual Auditor provides practitioner-level expertise with personalised attention — every engagement is supervised by CA V. Viswanathan (FCA, ACS, CFE, IBBI RV), ensuring accuracy, regulatory compliance, and strategic advisory that goes beyond mere filing.

What You Will Receive

Upon completion, you will receive: CA Certificate in Form 15CB with DTAA benefit computation, Form 15CA (Part A/B/C as applicable) filed on the Income Tax portal, remittance documentation for the AD bank, TDS computation under applicable DTAA rate, withholding tax deposit challan, and Form 27Q quarterly TDS return filing for non-resident payments. Documentation completed within 24-48 hours of payment details receipt to avoid remittance delays.

Documents You Will Need

To initiate this engagement, please keep the following documents ready: PAN card of the entity or individual, Aadhaar card of the authorised signatory, proof of business address (rent agreement with NOC or ownership document with latest utility bill), bank account details or cancelled cheque, and any existing registrations or approvals relevant to the engagement. A detailed personalised document checklist will be provided after the initial consultation.

Recent Engagement — How We Helped

Context: a salaried professional who received a demand notice under Section 143(1) for Rs 3.2 lakhs due to mismatch between Form 26AS and ITR.

Challenge: The assessee had claimed TDS credit for Rs 4.8 lakhs but Form 26AS showed only Rs 1.6 lakhs. The shortfall resulted in an automatic demand with interest under Section 234B/C. The individual was confused and worried about potential prosecution.

Our approach: We obtained TDS certificates from the employer and verified them against Form 26AS. The gap was caused by the employer filing a revised TDS return (26Q) that was not yet reflected in 26AS. We filed an online rectification request under Section 154 with supporting TDS certificates and the employer's revised 26Q acknowledgment.

Outcome: The demand was fully withdrawn within 45 days of rectification filing. No interest or penalty applied. We also helped the assessee set up a system to verify 26AS reconciliation before filing future returns.

This engagement illustrates Virtual Auditor's approach to form 15ca / 15cb filing — combining regulatory expertise with practical execution to deliver results within the client's timeline.

When Is Form 15CA / 15CB Filing Not Required?

Form 15CA/15CB may not be required when: (a) the remittance falls under exempted categories in Rule 37BB (personal remittances, education fees below Rs 7 lakhs, medical treatment below Rs 7 lakhs), (b) the remittance amount does not exceed Rs 5 lakhs in a financial year (Form 15CA Part A — self-declaration, no CA certificate needed), (c) the remittance is to a foreign government or specified international organisations, or (d) the payment is not chargeable to tax in India. For amounts exceeding Rs 5 lakhs on taxable payments, CA certificate in Form 15CB is mandatory.

If you are unsure whether your situation requires form 15ca / 15cb filing, contact us for a free preliminary assessment. We will advise you honestly — including telling you if you do not need our services.

Updated for FY 2025-26

This service page reflects the latest regulatory requirements as of March 2026, incorporating changes from the Union Budget 2025, recent MCA notifications, CBDT/CBIC circulars, and RBI master directions applicable to form 15ca / 15cb filing. Virtual Auditor continuously monitors regulatory updates to ensure all advice and filings are current.

Why Choose a CA Firm Over Self-Filing or Aggregators?

Self-filing through government portals is an option for straightforward cases, but it carries risks — incorrect classification, missed deductions, or procedural errors that can trigger notices and penalties. Online aggregators offer low prices but use templated approaches without understanding your specific regulatory situation. Virtual Auditor provides practitioner-grade expertise: every engagement is handled by qualified professionals (FCA, ACS, CFE, IBBI RV) who understand the regulatory nuances, anticipate complications, and provide ongoing support beyond the filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 15CB needed for all foreign payments?

No. Only for Part C remittances (taxable payments exceeding ₹5 lakhs not covered by RBI general permission). Imports of goods and certain specified payments require only 15CA Part A or B.

What is the DTAA benefit?

Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements between India and other countries may provide lower tax rates or exemptions for specific types of income (royalties, FTS, dividends, interest). We analyse the applicable DTAA and claim benefits in Form 15CB to reduce withholding tax.

How quickly can you file 15CA/15CB?

Standard: 2-3 working days. Express (urgent payment): same-day for straightforward remittances. Requires: invoice, agreement, PAN of payee (if available), TRC (Tax Residency Certificate) for DTAA claims.

When is Form 15CA/15CB required?

Required for all foreign remittances (except specified exemptions like imports, embassy payments, student fees up to threshold). 15CA is the remittance information form. 15CB is the CA certificate certifying taxability and applicable DTAA.

Who signs Form 15CB?

A practicing Chartered Accountant (not the assessee themselves even if they are a CA). The CA certifies the nature of remittance, applicable TDS rate, DTAA benefit claimed, and tax deposited. It is a professional certification under Section 195(6).

What are the different parts of Form 15CA?

Part A: remittance below ₹5 lakhs (no 15CB needed). Part B: remittance covered under Section 195(2)/195(3)/197 order. Part C: remittance where 15CB is required (above ₹5 lakhs, taxable). Part D: remittance not taxable under IT Act.

What is the penalty for not filing 15CA/15CB?

Bank cannot process the remittance without 15CA acknowledgment. Penalty under Section 271-I: ₹1 lakh for failure to furnish information. Tax demand on remitter if TDS obligation not complied with.

How long does 15CA/15CB processing take?

CA can issue 15CB within 1-2 working days if documents are ready. 15CA filed online on Income Tax portal — instant acknowledgment. Bank processes remittance within 1-2 days of receiving 15CA acknowledgment number.