LRS is an RBI scheme that allows Indian
resident individuals to send up to USD 250,000 per financial year abroad — for
education, medical treatment, travel, gifts, investments, and more — without needing prior RBI
approval.
Key Points:
- Available ONLY to resident individuals (not companies, NRIs, or HUFs)
- USD 250,000 is a combined limit across ALL purposes per FY
- PAN is mandatory; Form A2 must be submitted to your bank
- TCS applies above ₹10 Lakh per FY
- TCS is refundable or adjustable when filing your income tax return
LRS does NOT cover:
- NRI repatriation from NRO accounts (governed by separate ₹1M limit rules)
- Remittances to FATF-blacklisted or high-risk countries
- Margin calls or speculative triggers to overseas exchanges
- Transactions prohibited under FEMA Schedule I
Why does my bank
insist on Form 15CA/CB?
Banks (Authorised Dealers) operate under TWO regulatory regimes simultaneously:
1. FEMA / RBI: Master Directions explicitly state that Authorised Dealers
must ensure tax compliance before processing remittances.
2. Income Tax Act: Section 195 requires TDS on
payments to non-residents, and Rule 37BB mandates form reporting.
Banks face penalties under BOTH regimes if either is violated, so they apply the
MOST RESTRICTIVE interpretation. It is safer to comply than argue to avoid blocking
the workflow.