You can repatriate up to USD 1 million per financial year from your NRO account, and money in an NRE account has no cap at all. Before the bank sends it, you file Form 145 (formerly 15CA), plus a CA certificate on Form 146 (formerly 15CB) when the taxable remittance is above ₹5 lakh. This applies whether the money came from selling a flat, an inheritance or a growing NRO balance.
The USD 1 million rule
From your NRO account, you can repatriate up to USD 1 million per financial year (April–March), covering sale proceeds, inheritance, and NRO balances. Money in an NRE account is freely repatriable with no such cap, which is why foreign earnings belong in NRE.
The paperwork: Form 145 and Form 146 (formerly 15CA and 15CB)
- Form 146: (Form 146 since 1 April 2026) a certificate from a Chartered Accountant confirming the nature of the funds and that taxes have been paid. It is needed only when the taxable remittance exceeds ₹5 lakh in the financial year. It is needed only when the taxable remittance exceeds ₹5 lakh in the financial year.
- Form 145: your declaration filed online with the Income Tax Department, based on the CA certificate where one is required.
- The bank needs the online declaration, plus the CA certificate for taxable remittances above ₹5 lakh, before it will process the outward remittance.
Common scenarios
- Property sale: proceeds go to your NRO account first; repatriate within the $1M limit after paying capital gains tax. Holding period determines the rate: for NRIs, long-term gains (held over 24 months) are taxed at 12.5% without indexation, because the indexation option is only for resident sellers.
- Inheritance: repatriable up to the $1M limit with proof of source (will, succession) and a CA certificate.
- Rent/dividends: this is current income, so it can usually be sent abroad from the NRO account once tax has been paid and the Form 145 declaration (with a CA certificate where required) is filed.
Plan the timing
If you need to move more than $1M (e.g., after selling a large property), you may need to spread it across financial years. Planning the sale date and the remittance calendar together can save you a year of waiting.
This article is educational and not tax, legal, or investment advice. Cross-border rules change and depend on your specific residency and country. Confirm your situation with a qualified cross-border CA/CPA before acting.
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Frequently asked
Is there a limit on NRE repatriation? No. NRE funds (foreign earnings) are freely repatriable. The $1M/year cap applies to NRO.
Do I need a CA to repatriate? Only for larger ones. A CA certificate (Form 146) is required when the taxable remittance exceeds ₹5 lakh in the year; below that, the online declaration (Form 145) is usually enough.