Author: Mani Karthik

  • What is Form 1099? Complete Guide for NRIs

    Let me tell you about my first encounter with Form 1099. It was 2011, my second year at Citrix in the US. I had just started some freelance consulting work on weekends to earn extra money. Come tax season, I was expecting my usual W2 from Citrix. But then I got this mysterious form called…

  • PPF for NRIs: Complete Guide

    Let me tell you about one of my biggest financial mistakes when I moved to the US back in 2010. I had a PPF account that I completely forgot about. For seven years, I didn’t make a single contribution. When I came back to India in 2017 to take care of my mom, I discovered…

  • Dividend Stocks in India: Guide for NRI Investors

    Hey there! Mani here. Back in 2018, a year after I moved back to India, my wife asked me a question that changed our investment strategy completely. “Can we get regular income from our Indian investments like we used to get from our US dividend stocks?” I was stumped. We had built a nice dividend…

  • ITR for NRIs: The Complete Guide That Saved Me ₹45,000 in Penalties

    Picture this. March 2018. I had just moved back to India from the US with Priya and our two boys. Dhruv was asking me why we had to file taxes in two countries now. Good question, beta. That’s when I realized most NRIs are completely lost when it comes to ITR filing in India. The…

  • How OCI Holders Can Get Aadhaar Card: The Complete Guide

    Last month, my friend Raj called me from California. He’s been an OCI holder since 2015. His voice was frustrated. “Mani, I’m tired of this Aadhaar mess. Every time I come to India, I face problems. Banks want Aadhaar. Mobile connections need Aadhaar. Even my apartment rental guy is asking for it!” Raj had been…

  • Section 80D Tax Deductions for NRIs: How I Saved on Health Insurance

    Remember when I was in the US and my mom called me one day? She had slipped in the bathroom. Needed surgery. The hospital bill was ₹3 lakhs. That’s when I realized something. I was so focused on US health insurance for my family. But I had completely ignored health coverage for my parents back…

  • Tax Exemption Under Section 54 and Section 54F for NRIs

    I know how confusing Indian tax laws can get, especially when you’re managing investments from abroad. When I first learned about Section 54 and Section 54F, I thought they were the same thing – boy, was I wrong! These two sections can save you literally crores in capital gains tax if you play your cards…

  • PayPal in India: The Complete Guide for NRIs

    I know exactly what you’re going through. When I was abroad, I kept wondering – can I actually use PayPal properly in India? The short answer is: yes, but with some serious limitations that might surprise you. After years of helping fellow NRIs navigate this, I’ve put together everything you need to know about using…

  • Income Tax on Retirement Benefits in India: Guide for NRIs and Returning Families

    Hey, Let me share a conversation that changed how I think about retirement planning in India. It was December 2019. I was visiting my mom in Chennai during the holidays. She was 67 then. We were sitting on the terrace, watching the sunset, when she suddenly said, “Mani, I’m worried about my pension taxes.” I…

  • How To Apply For Lost Or Damaged PAN Card

    Let me tell you about one of the most stressful days during our move back from California in 2017. Picture this. We’ve just landed in Bangalore after 8 years in the US. I’m trying to open a bank account at HDFC the next day. The relationship manager asks for my PAN card. I confidently reach…