Form 146: When Is a CA Certificate Required?

30-SECOND ANSWER

Form 146 replaces Form 15CB.

It is an accountant’s certificate used for an applicable taxable payment to a non-resident or foreign company. It supports Part C of Form 145.

When may it be required?

Three questions normally matter

Is the payment taxable in India? Do total applicable payments exceed ₹5 lakh during the tax year? Is the remitter using the CA-certificate route under Part C of Form 145?

When should you not assume it is required?

Amount alone does not decide.

Form 146 is not automatically required merely because the money is in an NRO account, the transfer is above ₹5 lakh, it is going to the NRI’s own overseas account, or it falls within FEMA’s USD 1 million facility. Taxability and the applicable rule must also be checked.

What does the CA check?

✓ Nature and source of the payment
✓ Whether it is taxable in India
✓ Applicable Income Tax and treaty provisions
✓ TDS rate and tax payment
✓ Remitter and recipient details
✓ Supporting documents

A safer order

1. Identify the source of money.

2. Check the FEMA route and limit.

3. Establish taxability and TDS.

4. Obtain Form 146 only if applicable.

5. Complete the correct Part of Form 145 and submit the bank documents.

Start with the NRO source-of-money guide →Understand the four Parts of Form 145 →

Official source

Income Tax e-Filing — Form 146 user manual →Income Tax Department — Form 146 page →