One of the most common questions I get in our WhatsApp groups is this:
“Mani, can you recommend a good CA or financial planner who understands NRI taxation?”
I hear you. And I completely understand the anxiety behind this question.
When you’re planning to move back, you’re dealing with cross-border taxes, DTAA claims, RNOR status planning, converting NRE/NRO accounts, repatriating funds, selling property – and the list goes on.
One wrong move with your finances can cost you lakhs. Literally.
Over the past 8 years, through our community of 20,000+ returning NRIs, we’ve collected real feedback on CAs, tax consultants, and financial planners who specialize in helping NRIs.
This isn’t a paid listing. No one has paid to be here.
These are professionals our community members have actually worked with and shared feedback about.
I’m sharing what I know. But please do your own due diligence before engaging anyone.
P.S – We also have a directory of NRI financial service providers here.
Why You Need an NRI-Specialist, Not Just Any CA
This is important. Let me explain why.
A regular CA in India may be excellent at filing taxes for resident Indians. But NRI taxation is a completely different beast.
Here’s what an NRI-specialist handles that a regular CA may not:
- Determining your residential status (NRI vs. RNOR vs. Resident) and its tax impact
- Filing returns under DTAA provisions to avoid double taxation
- FBAR compliance and foreign asset disclosure
- Form 15CA/15CB for repatriation of funds
- Lower TDS certificates when selling property
- 401(k) and retirement account tax planning
- NRE to resident account conversion timing and strategy
If your CA doesn’t understand these topics, you could end up paying way more tax than you need to. Or worse – face penalties for non-compliance.
I’ve seen this happen to members in our community. Don’t let it happen to you.
How We Compiled This List
A few things to keep in mind:
What this list IS: A compilation of NRI-focused financial professionals that community members have used and shared feedback on.
What this list is NOT: A ranked endorsement or a guarantee of service quality. People’s experiences may vary.
We’ve organized this by:
- Pan-India / Online-First Firms – These work remotely with NRIs globally
- City-Wise Listings – For those who prefer a local CA in their destination city
For each listing, I’ve included what they specialize in, how to reach them, and (where available) community feedback.
If you’ve used a CA or financial planner not listed here and had a good experience, please let us know in our WhatsApp community. We’ll verify and add them.
Pan-India / Online-First Firms
These firms work with NRIs remotely. Many of our community members prefer this since they can start working with a consultant even before moving back.
1. S. Lohia & Associates (NRI Tax Service)
Headed by: CA Sulabh Lohia
Location: Head office in New Delhi, with associate offices in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, and other cities
Website: nritaxservice.in | slohia.com
Specialization:
- NRI income tax return filing
- Property sale transactions and capital gains
- Lower TDS certificates (Form 13)
- Repatriation services (Form 15CA/15CB)
- FEMA and RBI compliance
- Returning NRI tax planning (RNOR status)
What the community says: Several members in our groups have worked with the Lohia team, particularly for property sales and fund repatriation. The feedback has generally been positive on responsiveness and knowledge of NRI-specific regulations.
“Lohia team was absolutely on target and on time. My services were executed precisely as promised. In past few years I have dealt with few CA firms in India. All claiming to know how NRI services work but failed to deliver. Lohia team delivered 100% result.” – Community member
Best for: Property sales, fund repatriation, NRI ITR filing
2. Zenify Consultancy Services (CA for NRI)
Website: cafornri.com
Specialization:
- NRI income tax filing and advisory
- Foreign income reporting
- DTAA advisory
- FEMA compliance
- Cross-border tax issues
- Investment and wealth management guidance
What the community says: Zenify focuses exclusively on NRI taxation, which is a good sign. They serve NRIs in the US, UK, UAE, Canada, Australia, and Singapore.
Multiple community members have mentioned clear communication and helpful guidance on residential status determination.
Best for: US-India tax filing, residential status advisory, first-time NRI tax filers
3. Dinesh Aarjav & Associates
Website: dineshaarjav.com
Specialization:
- Strategic NRI tax planning and advisory
- Foreign tax credit claims
- NRE/NRO/FCNR account conversion
- Repatriation of overseas assets
- Investment advisory and compliance
- Estate planning
- DTAA consultancy
- Setting up business in India
What the community says: This is one of the more established firms with over 25 years of experience.
They have offices across five countries. Several members have mentioned them for comprehensive returning-NRI advisory, especially for complex financial situations involving multiple countries.
Best for: Complex multi-country tax planning, starting a business in India, high-net-worth NRI advisory
4. NRI CA Services (CA Ushma Jain)
Website: nricaservices.com
Specialization:
- NRI tax return filing
- DTAA consultancy
- Form 15CA/15CB for fund repatriation
- Company incorporation
- GST registration
What the community says: CA Ushma Jain has been specifically mentioned by community members for property-related transactions and repatriation.
Known for being responsive and patient with explaining processes.
“I had to repatriate funds after sale of inherited property. It was very difficult to find CAs who could give the right advice. After months of searching, Ushma Jain handled everything professionally. It felt like a big burden was lifted.” – Community member
Best for: Property sale repatriation, 15CA/15CB filing, NRIs who want a dedicated individual CA
5. KDP Accountants
Website: kdpaccountants.com
Specialization:
- NRI tax filing (50+ years of experience)
- FEMA consultancy
- Company setup in India
- Property management for NRIs
- Transfer pricing
- Business advisory
What the community says: KDP is one of the older firms in this space. They offer a wide range of services beyond just tax filing – including company setup, which is helpful if you’re planning to start a business after returning.
Best for: NRIs with business setup plans, comprehensive compliance needs
6. PravasiTax
Website: pravasitax.com
Location: Online-first, with in-person consultations available at their Kochi office
Specialization:
- NRI income tax planning and filing
- FEMA-related consulting
- Secure digital platform for document exchange
- Tax insights simplified for NRIs
What the community says: PravasiTax is relatively newer but has built a good reputation for making NRI tax compliance simple through their online platform.
Their team of CAs has over 25 years of combined experience. Good option for NRIs who prefer everything digital.
Best for: Tech-savvy NRIs who want a fully online experience, Kerala-based NRIs
SEBI-Registered Financial Planners for NRIs
Tax filing is one thing. But if you need help with overall financial planning for your return – investments, retirement, insurance, wealth management – you want a SEBI-registered investment adviser (RIA).
Why SEBI-registered?
Because they operate under a fiduciary duty.
They charge you a fee for advice rather than earning commissions from products they sell. This means their advice is aligned with YOUR interest, not the mutual fund company’s.
Here are some NRI-focused financial planners worth considering:
7. K. Akshay Nayak (Fee-Only Financial Planner)
SEBI Registration: INA200014672
Location: Bangalore
Website: akshaynayakria.com
Specialization:
- Comprehensive financial planning for flat annual fee
- Serves resident Indians and NRIs with investments in India
- Member of Fee-Only India (FOI) community
Note: Does not currently work with NRIs in Canada and the Eastern time zone in the USA. Check his website for current availability.
Best for: NRIs looking for unbiased, fee-only investment advice without commission conflicts
8. Moneyvesta
Website: moneyvesta.com
Specialization:
- SEBI-registered, fee-only investment advisory
- NRI financial planning
- Cross-border wealth structuring
- No commissions or product-linked incentives
Best for: NRIs who want structured, long-term financial planning aligned purely to their goals
9. INSIGHTFUL (Vikram)
SEBI Registered RIA
Location: Coimbatore (but serves clients across India and NRIs globally)
Website: insightful.in
Specialization:
- Comprehensive financial planning
- Investment advisory
- Wealth management
- NRI financial planning
- Member of Fee-Only India (FOI)
What the community says: Despite being based in Coimbatore, 95% of their clients are from other cities and NRIs abroad.
They’ve been practicing since 2014. Good option for NRIs who want a long-term financial planning relationship.
Best for: Holistic financial planning, NRIs from Tamil Nadu/South India
10. NRI Money Clinic (Dr. Chandrakanth Bhat)
Website: nrimoneyclinic.com
Specialization:
- Retirement planning
- Wealth building
- Tax planning
- Insurance advisory
- Estate management
- Mutual fund investments
What the community says: Dr. Chandrakanth Bhat has been mentioned by multiple community members for his personalized approach.
He focuses on understanding each client’s unique needs before recommending solutions.
Best for: Retirement planning, NRIs who prefer personalized one-on-one guidance
City-Wise Recommendations
For those who want a local CA or financial planner in the city they’re moving to.
Bangalore
Bangalore is where most tech NRIs move back to. No surprise – the demand for NRI-specialist CAs here is high.
| Professional / Firm | Specialization | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Balakrishna & Co. | NRI taxation, RNOR planning, business setup, capital gains, ITR filing | balakrishnaandco.com |
| K. Akshay Nayak (SEBI RIA) | Fee-only financial planning | akshaynayakria.com |
| S. Lohia & Associates (Branch) | Property transactions, repatriation, ITR | slohia.com |
Balakrishna & Co. specifically offers guidance on transitioning from NRI to Resident status and RNOR benefits – which is critical in the first 2-3 years after your return.
If you’re moving to Bangalore, also check out our guide on the city.
Mumbai
Mumbai has several established CA firms with deep NRI expertise, especially around property and investment transactions.
| Professional / Firm | Specialization | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Siddharth Sinkar & Associates | NRI taxation, capital gains, property tax | ssa-india.in |
| S. Lohia & Associates (Branch) | NRI ITR, repatriation, property sale | slohia.com |
| KDP Accountants | NRI tax filing, FEMA, business advisory | kdpaccountants.com |
Mumbai NRIs often need help with property transactions and rental income taxation.
Make sure your CA understands the city’s high-value property market and related TDS implications.
Hyderabad
Hyderabad is quickly becoming a major destination for returning NRIs, especially from the US.
| Professional / Firm | Specialization | Website |
|---|---|---|
| S. Lohia & Associates (Branch) | NRI tax services, property sales, repatriation | slohia.com |
| Zenify Consultancy | NRI income tax, DTAA, FEMA | cafornri.com |
| Dinesh Aarjav & Associates | Comprehensive NRI advisory | dineshaarjav.com |
If you’re considering Hyderabad, our community has several active members in the city who can share their personal CA recommendations. Join the WhatsApp group and ask directly.
Delhi NCR
Delhi NCR has some of the most experienced NRI-specialist CA firms, which makes sense given many of these firms started here.
| Professional / Firm | Specialization | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Ajay Sawhney & Associates | NRI taxation, home loans, PAN services | nonresidents.in |
| S. Lohia & Associates (Head Office) | Full-service NRI CA | slohia.com |
| NRI Tax Service (Head Office) | ITR, repatriation, property, litigation | nritaxservice.in |
Chennai
| Professional / Firm | Specialization | Website |
|---|---|---|
| S. Lohia & Associates (Branch) | NRI tax services | slohia.com |
| INSIGHTFUL (Coimbatore, serves Chennai) | Fee-only financial planning | insightful.in |
| PravasiTax (Kochi, serves South India) | Digital-first NRI tax filing | pravasitax.com |
Other Cities (Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad)
Most of the pan-India firms listed above have associate offices or serve clients remotely in these cities.
If you need a city-specific recommendation for Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, or any other city – ask in our community groups.
Chances are, someone has already been through this and can help.
What to Look For When Choosing a CA or Financial Planner
Based on what I’ve learned from 8 years of running this community, here’s my checklist:
For Tax Consultants / CAs:
- Do they specialize in NRI taxation? (Not just general tax filing)
- Do they understand DTAA provisions for your specific country?
- Can they handle FEMA/RBI compliance?
- Do they know about RNOR status and how to maximize its benefits?
- Are they responsive on email/WhatsApp? (Critical when you’re in a different timezone)
- Do they provide a written scope of work and fee structure upfront?
- Can they handle both Indian AND US/UK/UAE tax implications?
For Financial Planners:
- Are they SEBI-registered? (Check on SEBI’s website)
- Are they fee-only or commission-based? (Fee-only is generally better for unbiased advice)
- Do they have experience with NRI-to-resident transitions?
- Can they help with investment planning specific to your return timeline?
- Do they understand cross-border retirement accounts?
Common Services You’ll Need and Approximate Costs
This is based on what community members have reported. Actual costs will vary.
| Service | Typical Fee Range |
|---|---|
| NRI ITR Filing (Simple) | Rs 5,000 – Rs 15,000 |
| NRI ITR Filing (Complex – multiple income sources) | Rs 15,000 – Rs 50,000 |
| Form 15CA/15CB (Repatriation) | Rs 5,000 – Rs 15,000 per transaction |
| Lower TDS Certificate (Form 13) | Rs 10,000 – Rs 25,000 |
| DTAA Advisory | Rs 10,000 – Rs 30,000 |
| Comprehensive Return-to-India Tax Planning | Rs 25,000 – Rs 75,000+ |
| SEBI RIA Financial Planning (Annual) | Rs 15,000 – Rs 75,000+ per year |
These are ballpark figures. Always ask for a detailed fee quote before engaging.
A Few Warnings From the Community
Some things I’ve seen go wrong over the years:
1. Don’t go with the cheapest option.
A CA who charges Rs 3,000 for NRI ITR filing likely doesn’t understand the complexity involved. You’ll end up paying more later to fix mistakes.
2. Watch out for CAs who promise “zero tax.”
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. NRI taxation has genuine benefits (like RNOR status), but no one can ethically promise zero tax.
3. Get everything in writing.
Scope of work, timelines, fees – all of it. This has saved many community members from disputes later.
4. Don’t wait until March to start.
If you’re planning your return, start working with a tax consultant 6-12 months before your move. Planning ahead can save you significant money through proper tax-saving strategies.
5. Beware of “NRI services” that are actually just lead generation.
Some websites collect your details and pass them to random CAs. Always verify who you’re actually working with.
Help Us Grow This List
This is a living document. We want to make it the most comprehensive, community-verified list of NRI financial professionals in India.
If you’ve worked with a CA, tax consultant, or financial planner and had a genuinely good experience, please share the details in our community.
We especially need more verified recommendations for:
- Hyderabad
- Pune
- Ahmedabad
- Kolkata
- Tier-2 cities
Your input will help thousands of returning NRIs find the right professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a CA in India AND in the US?
Yes, ideally. Your Indian CA handles Indian income tax compliance. Your US CPA handles your US tax returns (which you may still need to file if you’re a US citizen, green card holder, or had US-source income). Some firms can handle both, but verify their expertise on each side.
Q: When should I start working with a tax consultant?
At least 6 months before your planned return date. Tax planning works best when you have time to structure things properly – RNOR status, account conversions, investment restructuring, etc.
Q: Can my regular CA in India handle NRI taxation?
They can try, but NRI taxation is a specialization. The rules around residential status, DTAA, FEMA, foreign asset disclosure, and repatriation are complex. It’s like going to a general doctor for a heart issue – you want a specialist.
Q: How do I verify if a financial planner is SEBI-registered?
Visit the SEBI website and search their intermediary database. Every registered investment adviser has a unique registration number. If they can’t provide one – walk away.
Q: Can I work with these consultants remotely from abroad?
Yes. Almost all the firms listed here work with NRIs remotely through video calls, email, and secure document sharing. You don’t need to be in India to start.
Q: What about US-based CPAs who understand Indian taxation?
There are a few, but they’re rare and expensive. Most community members find it more practical (and affordable) to work with an India-based CA who understands US-India DTAA provisions, along with a US-based CPA for the American side.
Disclaimer: This list is for informational purposes only. BacktoIndia.com does not endorse, guarantee, or take responsibility for the services of any professional listed here. Always conduct your own research, verify credentials, ask for references, and ensure you’re comfortable before engaging any consultant. Tax and financial planning decisions have significant consequences – consider seeking multiple opinions for complex situations.
If you’re planning your move back, join our WhatsApp community at https://backtoindia.com/groups – 20,000+ NRIs helping each other with real, lived experience. It’s free and volunteer-run.
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