In a major compliance-relief step under Budget 2026-27, the government has introduced a one-time, six-month Foreign Asset Disclosure Scheme aimed at helping small taxpayers who unintentionally failed to declare overseas assets or income in earlier years. The Finance Minister noted that students, young professionals, tech employees, relocated NRIs, and others with small-value foreign holdings often faced practical challenges in meeting stringent foreign-asset reporting requirements. The new scheme is designed to offer an accessible, penalty-protected pathway for regularising such disclosures.
The amnesty applies to two specific groups:
- Category A: Taxpayers Who Never Declared Foreign Assets or Income
Small taxpayers with undisclosed foreign income or assets worth up to Rs 1 crore may declare them during the six-month window. The tax payable will be 30% of the fair market value or undisclosed income, along with an additional 30% as tax in lieu of penalty, granting them full immunity from prosecution.
- Category B: Taxpayers Who Paid Tax Earlier but Forgot to Declare the Asset
For individuals who disclosed the income earlier-or paid applicable tax-but omitted reporting the underlying asset, the scheme allows regularisation for assets up to Rs 5 crore with a flat fee of Rs 1 lakh, and immunity from both penalty and prosecution.
Aimed at Reducing Litigation and Simplifying Compliance
The new disclosure mechanism acknowledges the complexities that many first-time global earners face, particularly those who acquired small assets such as foreign bank accounts, ESOPs, or small investment products while abroad. By offering a clear, time-bound process without the harsh consequences usually associated with foreign-asset omissions, the government aims to reduce litigation, unclog assessment pipelines, and bring taxpayers into compliance without fear of retrospective penal action.
A Broader Effort to Streamline Tax Administration
This scheme forms part of a wider set of reforms unveiled in the Budget to modernise tax administration and enhance ease of living. These include extended timelines for revised returns, simplified TDS procedures, and rationalised prosecution frameworks. Together, they reflect a shift toward a more taxpayer-friendly ecosystem, especially for individuals with small foreign financial footprints.
Officials believe the Foreign Asset Amnesty Scheme will encourage voluntary compliance among lakhs of taxpayers who inadvertently fell afoul of foreign-asset disclosure norms. By combining limited tax cost, time-bound clarity, and guaranteed immunity, the scheme provides a clean slate for individuals to regularise their foreign holdings while strengthening overall transparency in India's tax system.
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