« Top Headlines » Open DEMAT Account in 24 hrs  Budget 2024 makes new income tax regime more attractive: See how much taxes you can now save  ITR filing 2024: New vs old income tax regimes, 6 key things to consider while filing your tax return  These five technical glitches may impact your Income tax return (ITR) filing. Know here  ITR filing 2023-24: How to optimise Section 80D deductions at the time of filing tax returns  ITR filing 2023-24: Top 7 mistakes to avoid for hassle-free income-tax return filing this year  Income tax returns for FY 2023-24: Keep these 8 tax law changes in mind while filing ITR this year  ITR Filing 2024: Know who can and cannot file income tax returns using ITR-1 this year  Income Tax Filing: 10 necessary guidelines that you must be aware of  Why you should file your income tax returns before July 31  What is Form 26AS? How to download Form 26AS to file Income Tax Return (ITR)  Income Tax Return: What are the alternatives to Form 16 that can be used while filing ITR? «  I-T returns to help you work from home... NRIs may get to send home more money... » Passport to hassle-free deals October, 27th 2006 Non-resident Indians (NRIs) are investing big time in India. However, a majority of NRIs is unaware about the laws regarding taxation and repatriation of funds. One of the key requirement for a hassle-free financial transaction is to have a PAN card. Till recently, the few NRIs who bothered to apply for PAN cards had to go through a cumbersome process. It meant applying for a card with the help of an Indian representative (a tax consultant or CA in most cases) on Form 49 A. However, considering the problems and also the fact that very few cards were issued, the Income Tax Department has recently simplified the process. It now allows NRIs and even foreign citizens to directly apply for a PAN card, without any reference to a representative. The Form 49 A is similar to that of anybody seeking a PAN card. NRIs can download the forms from the websites of two designated PAN service providers — UTI Technology Services and National Securities Depositories — and send the filled-up form to their offices. The application form requires NRIs to attach a photocopy of their passport and a photocopy of their bank account in India. In case the application is made by NRIs when visiting India, they need to furnish a photocopy of the their resident-country bank account. The services providers can charge for the processing of PAN card application and courier charges for sending the PAN card.Given that e-filing of tax returns has also been facilitated now, NRIs can file returns on basis of their PAN card from overseas.