What Documents Should NRIs Keep for Tax Filing?

One thing I would add is documentation for capital gains if you've sold shares, mutual funds, property or other investments in India.

I made the mistake of thinking bank statements were enough. They weren't sufficient for reconstructing the purchase price and sale details of some investments.

I now keep contract notes, broker statements, mutual fund statements and purchase/sale records. For property, I keep the purchase deed, sale deed and other transaction records.

If you're an NRI with investments in India, the document list can become much bigger than just PAN + bank statements.

I also keep proof of taxes already deducted and any tax-payment challans if I've paid advance tax or self-assessment tax.

And I agree with the earlier comment about not uploading everything automatically. The documents are often supporting records rather than attachments required with the return itself.

I'd keep everything for the relevant tax year in one folder and retain it after filing. If the Income Tax Department later sends a notice or asks for clarification, having the original records makes responding much easier.

Tax rules can change, so I would use the current ITR instructions and official Income Tax Department guidance for the year you're filing.

I'd separate the documents into two groups: documents needed to prepare the return and documents that support the figures in the return.

For example, if you have salary income from an Indian employer, Form 16 is important. For interest or other income where tax has been deducted, Form 16A can be relevant.

For bank interest, I keep annual interest certificates and bank statements. For property income, I keep rent records, property-tax information and relevant loan-interest documents if applicable.

I also download AIS and check TIS before filing. These can contain information reported by banks, employers, deductors and other reporting entities.

For an NRI, I think the passport is particularly useful because residential status and travel history can matter when determining whether you're resident or non-resident for Indian tax purposes. I keep copies of my passport and relevant travel information.

As for foreign documents, don't assume that you automatically need to attach your US tax return to an Indian ITR. Whether foreign income, assets or tax paid abroad needs to be reported depends on your residential status and the applicable disclosure rules.

I'd keep the records anyway, especially if you're claiming foreign tax credit or dealing with income that has tax implications in both countries.

I’m also an NRI in the US and my income situation is quite similar. I keep a folder every year rather than trying to collect everything when the ITR deadline is approaching.

For my Indian return, I normally keep my PAN, passport, Indian bank statements, interest certificates, Form 16A where applicable, AIS/TIS and my previous ITR.

Since I have rental income, I also keep the rent statements and property-related records showing the rental receipts and expenses relevant to the return.

One thing I learned is that AIS and TIS shouldn't simply be ignored. I compare the information there with my own records before filing. If something doesn't match, it's better to investigate it rather than blindly copying the information into the return.

I also keep copies of my US tax documents because they help me maintain a complete record of my worldwide financial activity, even though my Indian tax return as an NRI doesn't automatically mean that every item of foreign income is taxable in India.

I don't upload every document with the ITR. Most are supporting records that I retain. The exact documents required depend on the type of income and the return form.

That's just my filing routine, so I'd still check the current Income Tax Department instructions for the relevant assessment year.