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 \u20b95 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.

Step-by-Step Process

• 1

Step 1

Determine Part (A/B/C/D) based on remittance type

• 2

Step 2

CA examines DTAA applicability and TDS compliance

• 3

Step 3

CA issues Form 15CB certification

• 4

Step 4

Remitter files Form 15CA online

• 5

Step 5

Submit 15CA acknowledgment to bank

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 of this engagement, you will receive: a comprehensive final report or certificate (as applicable), copies of all filed forms with official acknowledgment receipts, a detailed advisory note highlighting key observations and recommendations, and a compliance calendar outlining upcoming due dates and filing requirements. All deliverables are reviewed by CA V. Viswanathan before release.

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?

This filing/compliance may not be required when: (a) the income falls below the basic exemption limit (Rs 3 lakhs for individuals, Rs 3 lakhs for senior citizens under the new tax regime), (b) the transaction is specifically exempt under the relevant section of the Income Tax Act, (c) the TDS/TCS provision does not apply due to the nature of payment or the threshold not being crossed, or (d) the assessee has obtained a nil/lower deduction certificate under Section 197.

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.