Blog

  • PayPal in India: The Complete Guide for NRIs

    Let me be upfront with you – PayPal in India is not the same PayPal you’ve been using in the US, UK, or anywhere else. I’ve had countless NRIs in our community confused about this. They set up a PayPal account expecting it to work like it did abroad, only to hit wall after wall.…

  • 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…

  • Top Credit Cards for Returning NRIs: The Ultimate Guide

    Hey there! Mani here. When I moved back from SuperMoney in California in 2017, one of the most frustrating things wasn’t the reverse culture shock or finding good Mexican food in Bangalore. It was getting a decent credit card. Picture this. I’m back in India after 8 years in the US. I have a stellar…

  • Complete Guide to FATCA for NRIs: Everything You Need to Know

    When I was wrapping up my time at SuperMoney in California back in 2017, preparing for our move back to India, one thing kept me up at night. It wasn’t the job search or school admissions for the boys. It was FATCA. My accountant in San Francisco had mentioned it casually during our final tax…

  • Renew Indian Driving License For NRIs: The Ultimate Guide

    Hey! Mani here. When I moved back from California in 2017, my expired driving license was one of those small but super annoying problems I hadn’t thought about. Picture this. I’m at the Bangalore airport after 8 years in the US. My mom picks me up in her old Maruti. She hands me the keys…

  • Overseas Citizen of India (OCI): Meaning, Types, Eligibility and Benefits

    Let’s talk about OCIs. The full thing! When I moved back from the US in 2017 with my family, getting our OCI cards was one of the first things on my checklist. My wife and I had been planning this move for months. My mom was alone in India after dad passed away during my…

  • What is Form W-2 For NRIs While Filing US Taxes?

    2016. I’m sitting in my Santa Barbara office at Citrix, staring at this official looking document my HR team just handed me. Form W-2. I thought, “Great, another tax form to confuse me.” Back then, I had no clue how crucial this little piece of paper would become for my US tax filing journey. Fast…

  • What is FBAR? A Complete Guide for NRIs

    I still remember the panic in Ravi’s voice when he called me at 11 PM from California. “Mani, I just found out about something called FBAR. My colleague got hit with a $30,000 penalty for not filing it. I’ve had my NRE and NRO accounts in India for six years and never heard of this…

  • Gold ETF vs Gold Mutual Fund – Which is Better for NRIs

    Remember when I was working at Citrix back in 2016? My wife constantly worried about our savings being too dependent on US markets. That’s when I first started exploring gold investments seriously. After losing my dad early during college, I learned the importance of financial security. When mom was alone in India and we decided…