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A Simple Guide to Form 15CB and the Role of a Chartered Accountant

1. What is Form 15CB?

Form 15CB is a certificate issued by a Chartered Accountant (CA) when someone in India makes a payment of more than ₹5 lakh in a financial year to a Non-Resident or Foreign Company, and no certificate has been obtained from the Income Tax Department under Section 195 or 197.
 The form includes details like:

  • The amount and purpose of payment

  • Applicable TDS rate

  • Whether tax needs to be deducted

It acts as a tax determination certificate, helping ensure the remittance is as per Indian tax rules.

A Simple Guide to Form 15CB and the Role of a Chartered Accountant

2. Who Can Issue Form 15CB?

Only a CA who is registered on the income tax e-Filing portal can issue Form 15CB. The taxpayer must first assign the form to that CA through the portal.

3. Purpose of Form 15CB

The main aim of Form 15CB is to confirm whether tax needs to be deducted on the foreign payment, based on the provisions of the Income Tax Act (especially Sections 5 and 9) and any Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), if applicable.

4. Is Form 15CB Required Before Filing Form 15CA (Part C)?

Yes. If you are filing Part C of Form 15CA, Form 15CB must be submitted first. Details from Form 15CB are automatically filled into Form 15CA using the acknowledgment number.

5. How to File Form 15CB

Form 15CB can be filed online through the income tax e-Filing portal or offline using the available utility provided by the Income Tax Department.

A Simple Guide to Form 15CB and the Role of a Chartered Accountant

6. Verification and Timing

Form 15CB must be verified using the CA’s Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), which should be registered on the e-Filing portal.
 Although there’s no official deadline, it must be filed before the foreign payment is made.

7. When is Form 15CB Required?

Form 15CB is required when:

  • The total remittance in a financial year is more than ₹5 lakh

  • The payment is taxable in India

  • No certificate under Section 195 or 197 has been obtained

Each such payment needs a separate Form 15CB.

8. What is Needed to Use Form 15CB?

To file Form 15CB, the following must be in place:

  • The CA must be registered on the income tax e-Filing portal

  • The CA’s PAN must be valid and active

  • The CA must have a valid DSC

  • The taxpayer must assign the form to the CA from their account

9. Key Parts of Form 15CB

The form includes six main sections:

  1. Certification – Confirmation by the CA

  2. Remittee Details – Information about the person receiving the money

  3. Remittance Details – Amount, purpose, and bank details

  4. Taxability Without DTAA – Whether tax applies as per Indian law

  5. Taxability With DTAA – Details if DTAA benefits apply

  6. Accountant Details – Name, firm name, membership number, and contact details of the CA

A Simple Guide to Form 15CB and the Role of a Chartered Accountant

10. Steps to Submit Form 15CB Online

  1. Log in to the income tax e-Filing portal with the CA’s login ID

  2. Go to: e-File > Income Tax Forms > File Income Tax Forms

  3. Select Form 15CB and choose the financial year

  4. Enter the taxpayer’s PAN

  5. Fill in the required details in the form

  6. Preview the form and verify using the CA’s DSC

  7. Enter or update the UDIN (Unique Document Identification Number)

  8. Submit the form
     You will get a confirmation message with a Transaction ID and Acknowledgement Number.

11. Summary

Form 15CB is important for taxpayers making payments to foreign parties. It helps ensure tax compliance and avoids issues with international transactions. A Chartered Accountant plays a key role by reviewing and certifying the tax details of each such payment. Filing the form correctly and on time is necessary before making the remittance.

How a Chartered Accountant (CA) Can Help with Form 15CA and 15CB Filing

When making payments to non-residents or foreign entities, proper documentation is essential. This is where a Chartered Accountant (CA) plays a key role in ensuring compliance with Indian tax laws, especially when filing Form 15CA and 15CB.

Form 15CB is a certificate issued by a CA. It confirms the nature of the payment, applicable TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) rate, and the provisions of the Income Tax Act and DTAA (Double Tax Avoidance Agreement), if applicable. The CA verifies whether the payment is taxable in India and ensures all deductions are accurate before remittance.

Form 15CA is an online declaration submitted by the remitter. The CA helps in prefilling this form using the acknowledgement number of Form 15CB and ensures that all details match. They also guide you in submitting it correctly through the Income Tax e-Filing portal.

For complex international transactions or where DTAA benefits apply, a CA ensures that the proper tax treatment is followed. They also handle offline filing using the utility provided and digitally sign the forms using a DSC (Digital Signature Certificate).

Consulting a CA ensures accurate filing, avoids tax penalties, and provides peace of mind when handling foreign remittances.

Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Please consult qualified experts before acting on any information. K M GATECHA & CO LLP accepts no liability for errors, omissions, or outcomes from the use of this content. This site is not an advertisement or solicitation.

A Simple Guide to Form 15CB and the Role of a Chartered AccountantDisclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Please consult qualified experts before acting on any information. K M GATECHA & CO LLP accepts no liability for errors, omissions, or outcomes from the use of this content. This site is not an advertisement or solicitation.

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FAQs

Form 15CB is a certificate issued by a Chartered Accountant (CA) that confirms the tax liability on a payment made to a non-resident. It includes details such as the nature of the payment, applicable TDS rate, and compliance with Indian tax laws and DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement).

Form 15CB is generally required when the remittance to a non-resident exceeds ₹5 lakh in a financial year and is taxable in India. It must be obtained before filing Part C of Form 15CA.

A CA verifies the transaction, checks its taxability under Indian laws and DTAA provisions, calculates the TDS, and certifies all relevant payment details in Form 15CB. This helps ensure compliance and prevents errors in tax deductions.

No. Form 15CB is not required if the payment is not chargeable to tax under the Income Tax Act or if it falls under the threshold limit of ₹5 lakh. For such cases, only Form 15CA (Part A or B) may be required.

The CA helps you fill Form 15CA based on the certified information in Form 15CB. They ensure all details are accurate, help generate the acknowledgment, and guide you through the submission on the Income Tax e-Filing portal.

Incorrect or missing forms can lead to penalties and delays in remittance. The bank may also reject the transaction. A CA ensures proper filing and helps avoid such issues.

Yes. A CA applies relevant DTAA provisions to determine the correct tax treatment and TDS rate, ensuring you don’t pay more tax than required on international payments.