Indian expatriates in the UAE are being urged to prepare documents early for FY2025-26 Income Tax Return (ITR) filing, as delays could lead to penalties, refund issues and loss of tax benefits. Experts also warned that upcoming changes under the proposed Income-tax Rules, 2026 may create confusion for overseas Indians with investments, rental income or assets in India.
Documents Indian expats should prepare early:
Bank statements for NRO, NRE and resident accounts from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026
Rental agreements and rent receipts
Interest certificates for fixed deposits, FCNR deposits and bonds
Property ownership documents and sale deeds
Capital gains statements for shares, mutual funds and property sales
Home loan interest certificates for Section 24 deductions
Investment proofs under Sections 80C, 80D and NPS
Copies of Aadhaar, PAN, passport, visa and Emirates ID
Records of days spent in India during FY2025-26 and the previous four years
Details of unlisted shareholdings, if applicable
Tax consultants noted that many expats face delays because they wait until the last moment to collect capital gains reports, rental records and overseas-linked financial documents.
Major tax form changes from April 2026:
Form 16 → Form 130
Form 26AS → Form 168
Forms 15G and 15H → Form 121
Form 15CA → Form 145
Form 15CB → Form 146
The proposed rules are expected to align tax filing with digital systems such as Annual Information Statements (AIS), pre-filled returns and automated compliance platforms. Draft proposals also include additional disclosure requirements for some non-residents, including Tax Identification Numbers (TINs), foreign remittance details and stricter verification procedures.
