Real recoveries.
Real numbers. Real people.
Anonymized case studies from actual TrustNRI clients. These are not projections, these are refunds that landed in bank accounts.
Individual results vary based on country of residence, investment type, TRC validity, and treaty eligibility. These cases are shown to illustrate what's possible — they are not guarantees of similar outcomes. TrustNRI is a technology platform, not a licensed tax advisor; all filings are handled by ICAI-registered CAs.
A.K. — Gulf NRI, Engineer in Dubai
5 Assessment Years recovered · Investments: ₹25L FD + ₹15L NRO
+₹2,85,000
recovered in 4 months
The problem
Bank deducted 30% TDS on FD and NRO interest for 5+ years. CA filed ITR at default rates. Never mentioned DTAA.
What we did
Filed condonation under Section 119(2)(b) for 5 past Assessment Years (CBDT Circular 11/2024). Claimed 12.5% treaty rate on all interest income. Filed amended ITR for current year with TRC + Form 10F.
“I had no idea I was overpaying for years. The condonation filing alone got me ₹2.85 lakhs including Section 244A interest.”
M.N. — Singapore NRI, Tech Lead at Grab
5 years recovered · Investments: ₹30L NRO FD + ₹15L corporate bonds
+₹3,15,000
recovered in 6 months
The problem
Bank deducted 30% TDS on NRO FD interest and bond coupons for 5 years. India-Singapore DTAA caps interest at 15%. CA never filed a treaty claim, never filed Form 10F.
What we did
Filed Section 119(2)(b) condonation for 5 past years. Claimed 15% treaty rate on interest and coupon income. IRAS TRC obtained. Section 244A interest added to every past-year refund.
“I assumed 30% was just what NRIs paid. Nobody told me Article 11 capped it at 15%. Five years of refunds plus interest added up to more than I made on my first ₹10L FD.”
P.S. — American NRI, PM at Microsoft
3 years recovered · Investments: ₹30L FD + ₹50L MF
+₹1,45,000
recovered in 5 months (IRS TRC took 10 weeks)
The problem
PFIC nightmare on MF side plus 30% TDS on FD interest when treaty says 15%. CA focused only on US filing, ignored India DTAA.
What we did
Recovered FD interest TDS differential (30% to 15%) for 3 years. Filed Form 8802 for IRS TRC. Claimed Foreign Tax Credit on US return.
“My US CPA knew about PFIC but had never heard of DTAA. TrustNRI fixed the India side. The FTC on my 1040 was a bonus.”
V.P. — British Indian, NHS Consultant
4 years recovered · Investments: ₹20L FD + ₹30L MF
+₹2,40,000
recovered in 7 months
The problem
HMRC TRC took 8 weeks. Bank kept deducting 30% on NRO FD interest where the India-UK DTAA caps it at 15% (Article 12). RTA also withheld 20% on every Indian dividend; treaty cap is 10% (Article 11(2)(b) general; 15% only for property-vehicle / REIT dividends).
What we did
Filed HMRC TRC application early. Recovered FD interest TDS differential (30% → 15% under Article 12) and dividend TDS differential (20% → 10% under Article 11) for 4 years. AMC equity-MF withholding was at the correct Section 112A 12.5% / Section 111A 20% rates and required no recovery. Filed UK Self Assessment with Foreign Tax Credit on India TDS.
“My bank was deducting 30% on every NRO interest credit and the registrar 20% on every dividend, when the India-UK treaty caps them at 15% (Article 12) and 10% (Article 11) respectively. Across 4 years that gap, plus Section 244A interest, was the bulk of the refund. My London CA didn't know. My bank in Mumbai definitely didn't.”
A.R. — German NRI, Engineer at SAP
3 years recovered · Investments: ₹15L FD + ₹25L MF
+₹1,68,000
recovered in 5 months
The problem
45% German tax + 30% Indian TDS. Finanzamt TRC process unclear. CA filed at default rates.
What we did
Navigated Finanzamt TRC (varies by Bundesland). Filed ITR with 10% treaty rate on interest. Claimed Anrechnung on German return.
“The Finanzamt process was the bottleneck. TrustNRI knew exactly which office in Baden-Wurttemberg to contact. Saved me months.”
D.F. — Kenyan Indian, Business Owner in Nairobi
5 years recovered · Investments: ₹30L FD + ₹40L MF
+₹4,20,000
recovered in 8 months
The problem
CA filed Indian ITR at default TDS rates for 20 years. India-Kenya DTAA caps interest at 10%, nobody ever claimed it. Property sale in Kochi the next year was about to add another 12.5% TDS to the pile.
What we did
Filed condonation under Section 119(2)(b) for 5 past years, claimed 10% treaty rate on interest. Handled the upcoming property sale with Form 13 (Section 197) lower-TDS certificate. Section 244A interest added to every past refund.
“Twenty years of filing at default rates and nobody told me about DTAA or Form 13. The past-year recovery plus the Form 13 on the property sale saved me more than I made that year.”
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