Power of attorney for Indian tax matters — can I handle this myself?
Some of it, yes — and we will say so on the call if that is the honest answer. The parts that are worth paying for are the ones where a missed election, a missed deadline or an unverified threshold costs more than the fee: the instrument must be executed and attested in a form Indian registrars, banks and tax authorities will accept, with the specific powers enumerated.
What if I have already filed and got it wrong?
That is a common starting point. We re-derive the position, identify whether an amendment or a disclosure route is the right vehicle, and tell you which one preserves the relief that is still available. The order matters more than the speed.
How long will it take?
It depends on the documents rather than on us. Once the pack is complete most filings turn around inside a fortnight; anything that needs a certificate from a tax authority runs on that authority's timetable, which we tell you at the start rather than at the end.
Can a power of attorney be used for Indian tax filings?
A power of attorney can authorise a representative to file returns, respond to notices, and handle other tax matters in India on someone's behalf, which is particularly useful for a person who is not physically present to sign documents or attend proceedings. The document needs to specify tax matters clearly rather than relying on a general grant of authority, since tax authorities and banks often ask to see the specific powers covered before accepting it.
What should a power of attorney for tax matters actually cover?
It should name the specific tax functions the representative can carry out, such as filing returns, corresponding with the tax department, receiving and responding to notices, and operating relevant bank accounts for tax purposes, rather than a vague general authorisation. Leaving any of these out can mean the representative is turned away at the exact moment they need to act. We review the wording against the client's expected needs before it is executed.
Does the power of attorney need to be registered to work in India?
Whether registration is required depends on where the document is executed and what it authorises; a power of attorney signed outside India for use there often needs to be notarised and, in some cases, further authenticated before Indian authorities will accept it. Skipping this step is a common reason a document is rejected when it is actually needed. We confirm the execution and authentication steps required for a client's situation before the document is signed.
How do I get a refund of TCS collected on a foreign remittance?
You claim it on your Indian return for that year. The collected amount is credited against your total tax, and if it exceeds the tax due the balance is refunded like any excess payment. Two practical conditions: the collector must have filed its statement so the credit appears in your annual tax statement, and your PAN must be correctly recorded on the remittance. A salaried remitter can also ask their employer to account for it against salary withholding. See LRS limits and TCS.
Is money received in India from abroad taxable?
Receiving your own money is not income, and a gift from a specified relative is exempt however large. Two things do bite. A gift from someone outside that relative list is taxable to the recipient once the year's receipts pass the threshold in the gift provisions. And money that is really payment for something — fees, rent, interest, a share of profit — is taxed as that income whatever the bank narration says. The paperwork should match the substance. See gifting money to family in India.
