Lockdown period not to be counted for determining residency of NRIs: CBDT

Providing a relief to NRIs and foreign nationals stuck in India due to lockdown, the government on Friday said their stay in the country during the period will not be counted for the purpose of determining their residency status for taxation purpose.

The nationwide lockdown since March 25 and cancellation of international flights to contain the spread of COVID-19 has forced non-resident Indians (NRI) and foreign nationals to prolong their stay in India.

There were apprehensions that this extended stay could lead to these individuals becoming Indian residents as per Section 6 of the Income Tax Act.