A Complete Guide to Form 15CA: Requirements and Submission Process

Understanding Form 15CA

What is Form 15CA?

Under Section 195 of the Income Tax Act, any individual or entity making payments to Non-Residents (excluding companies) or to a Foreign Company must deduct Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on sums chargeable to Income Tax. The details of these payments must be reported using Form 15CA. Prior to remitting any payment, the responsible party must submit Form 15CA, available for submission both online and offline. In specific situations, a Chartered Accountant's certificate in Form 15CB is required before proceeding with the online submission of Form 15CA.

Which Part of Form 15CA Should I Fill?

Form 15CA is divided into four distinct parts based on the nature of the payment being made to Non-Residents or Foreign Companies:

• PART A: Applicable when the remittance or total remittance does not exceed ₹5 lakh during the financial year.
• PART B: Required when the remittance exceeds ₹5 lakh during the financial year and an order or certificate under Sections 195(2), 195(3), or 197 has been obtained from the Assessing Officer.
• PART C: Necessary when the remittance exceeds ₹5 lakh during the financial year and a certificate in Form 15CB from an accountant has been acquired.
• PART D: For remittances not chargeable to tax under the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Who is Required to File Form 15CA?

According to Rule 37BB, any individual or entity responsible for making payments to Non-Residents (excluding companies) or to Foreign Companies must provide the details in Form 15CA.

Is Submission of Form 15CB Mandatory?

The submission of Form 15CB is not mandatory. It is an event-based form that must be completed only when the remittance or total remittances exceed ₹5 lakh during a financial year, necessitating a certificate from an accountant as defined under Section 288.

Can Form 15CA Be Withdrawn?

Yes, Form 15CA can be withdrawn within seven days of its submission.

When is Form 15CA Not Required?

According to sub-rule (3) of Rule 37BB, Form 15CA is not necessary in the following circumstances:

• The remittance is made by an individual, not requiring prior RBI approval.
• The remittance falls under specific categories outlined by the relevant purpose code as per RBI guidelines.

How to e-Verify Form 15CA?

Form 15CA can be e-Verified using either Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or Electronic Verification Code (EVC). If a DSC is registered, use it for e-Verification. For detailed instructions, refer to the user manual on "How to e-Verify."

Can I File Form 15CA Only Online? When Should I File This Form?

Form 15CA can be filed both online and offline. The Offline Utility service permits filing in offline mode. While there is no strict deadline for submitting this form, it should be completed before making the remittance.