Key takeaways
- India: 12.5% on long-term gains; TDS on the full price unless you get a Form 128 certificate.
- Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain: the gain is generally not taxed there, so Indian tax is final.
- Lower TDS certificate and an Indian return are the main levers.
Quick answer: India taxes the gain (12.5% on long-term gains plus surcharge and cess), and the buyer deducts TDS, usually on the whole price unless you get a lower TDS certificate. The Gulf countries generally don’t tax this gain, so the Indian tax is final. Apply for the certificate before you sign.
The India side (same wherever you live)
| Point | Rule for NRIs (2026-27) |
|---|---|
| Long-term gain (held over 24 months) | 12.5% without indexation, plus surcharge and 4% cess. The 20%-with-indexation option for older property is only for resident individuals. |
| Short-term gain | Taxed at your slab rates |
| TDS | The buyer deducts TDS, normally on the whole sale price, unless you get a lower-deduction certificate first. Surcharge adds 10% above ₹50 lakh and 15% above ₹1 crore |
| Lower TDS certificate | Apply online (TRACES) for a Lower/Nil Deduction Certificate (LDC) in Form 128 (formerly Form 13) before the sale, based on your actual gain |
| Exemptions | Reinvest in a house in India (capped at ₹10 crore) or in specified bonds within 6 months (up to ₹50 lakh, 5-year lock-in) |
| Getting money out | From your NRO account, up to US$1 million a financial year with Forms 15CA and 15CB. If you bought with foreign exchange, that amount can go back for up to two homes |
| Refund | File an Indian return to get back TDS that was more than your actual tax |
Mechanics in detail: TDS on sale of property by NRI, the Form 128 certificate and the property capital gains calculator.
The Gulf side
- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain do not generally tax individuals on a personal capital gain like this, and Qatar generally exempts individuals’ gains on real estate that isn’t part of a business. So the Indian tax is usually your final cost.
- India’s tax treaties with these countries let India tax gains on property in India.
- With nothing to credit the Indian tax against, excess TDS is only recovered through an Indian return. The lower TDS certificate is the biggest saving.
- Keep proof of your Gulf residence (residence permit, iqama or ID card) with your Indian return.
The order that saves the most
- Before you sign: work out the real gain (purchase cost, improvement costs, transfer expenses) and decide on any reinvestment.
- Apply for the lower TDS certificate so the buyer deducts on your gain, not the full price. It takes a few weeks, so start early.
- At the sale: make sure the buyer deposits the TDS correctly and gives you the TDS certificate.
- Move the money: Forms 15CA/15CB and your bank for the transfer abroad.
- File returns: in India (for any refund) and in your country of residence, claiming credit for the Indian tax.
Other countries: UAE · UK · USA · Canada · Australia · Singapore. Handled end to end: NRI property sale service.
Sources
- Income Tax Department e-filing portal
- RBI: FAQs on remittance of assets by NRIs (USD 1 million facility)
Frequently asked questions
Do NRIs in Saudi Arabia pay tax there on selling property in India?
Generally no. Saudi Arabia does not tax individuals on a personal capital gain like the sale of a home in India, so the Indian tax is usually the final cost.
Is the sale of Indian property taxed in Qatar?
Qatar generally exempts individuals' gains on real estate that is not part of a business, so for most NRIs in Qatar the Indian tax is the final cost.
How much TDS does a buyer deduct when an NRI sells property in India?
For long-term property (held over 24 months), 12.5% plus surcharge (10% above ₹50 lakh, 15% above ₹1 crore) and 4% cess, normally on the whole sale price unless the NRI has a lower-deduction certificate.
How much money can an NRI send abroad after selling property in India?
Up to US$1 million per financial year from the NRO account, with Forms 15CA and 15CB. If the property was bought with foreign exchange, that amount can be repatriated for up to two residential properties.
Please note: this guide is general information based on the rules as they stood on the review date above. Regulations and RBI/CBDT procedures change often — please get advice on your specific facts before acting.