Budget 2026: Nirmala Sitharaman Offers NRIs Bigger Equity Access, Simpler Tax Rules

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled key measures in Budget 2026 to expand investment opportunities and ease compliance for Persons Resident Outside India (PROIs), including NRIs.
• The Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) limits have been expanded: a single PROI can now invest up to 10% in a listed Indian company's equity (up from 5%), and the aggregate cap for all overseas individual investors is raised to 24% (from 10%).
• TDS rules for property transactions involving non-resident sellers are simplified; resident buyers no longer need a separate TAN for one-time deals and can use their PAN-based challan.
• A six-month disclosure window is proposed for small taxpayers, including students, tech professionals, and relocated NRIs, to voluntarily declare foreign assets and regularize tax compliance.
• These measures aim to make India's financial ecosystem more accessible to overseas Indians, encouraging participation while maintaining regulatory safeguards.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 simplifies tax rules and expands equity access for NRIs, boosting foreign participation in India's economy.