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Microlesson · 5-min read

Special Provision (120 days + ₹15 lakh) & Deemed Resident [s.6(1)/6(1A)]

# Special Residential Provisions — 120-Day Rule & Deemed Resident

## A. Special Provision for High-Income Visiting Indians [s.6(1)]

An Indian citizen or PIO visiting India is treated as Resident if BOTH are satisfied:

Condition on Stay (any ONE):

  • Stay ≥ 182 days in the relevant PY, OR
  • Stay ≥ 120 days in the relevant PY AND ≥ 365 days in the 4 preceding PYs, AND

Condition on Income:

  • Total income (other than income from foreign sources) exceeds ₹15 lakh during the relevant PY.

Key consequence: If a person becomes resident via the 120 days + ₹15 lakh route, he is ALWAYS RNOR (this differs from the 182-day route).

## B. Deemed Resident [s.6(1A)]

Notwithstanding s.6(1): an individual is deemed resident if:

  • He is an Indian citizen, AND
  • Total income (other than income from foreign sources) exceeds ₹15 lakh in the relevant PY, AND
  • He is not liable to tax in any other country/territory by reason of domicile, residence or similar criteria.

## Meaning of 'Income from Foreign Sources'

  • Income accruing/arising outside Indiaexcept income from a business controlled in India or a profession set up in India; and
  • Income not deemed to accrue or arise in India.

## Meaning of 'Liable to Tax'

  • Refers to an income-tax liability under the laws of a specific country.
  • Includes persons subsequently exempted from such liability under that country's laws.

## Observations on Deemed Resident

  • Only an Indian citizen can be a deemed resident.
  • A PIO (non-citizen) can NOT be a deemed resident u/s 6(1A).
  • Stay in India is NOT necessary to be a deemed resident.
  • A deemed resident is always RNOR.

Worked example

### Example 1

120-day route → RNOR: A PIO visiting India stays 130 days in PY 2025-26 and had 400 days in the prior 4 years. His Indian-source income is ₹18 lakh (> ₹15 lakh). He satisfies 120 days + ₹15 lakh → Resident, but by rule he is RNOR.

### Example 2

Deemed resident: An Indian citizen with no stay in India, Indian-source income of ₹20 lakh, who is not liable to tax in any country, is a deemed resident u/s 6(1A) and is treated as RNOR — despite zero days in India.

### Example 3

PIO cannot be deemed resident: A person of Indian origin (not an Indian citizen) with ₹25 lakh Indian income and not liable to tax abroad is NOT covered by s.6(1A) — deemed residence applies only to Indian citizens.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Applying the 120-day + ₹15 lakh special provision to ordinary residents — it applies only to a visiting Indian citizen/PIO.
  • Treating a person who became resident via the 120-day route as ROR — he is always RNOR.
  • Treating a PIO (non-citizen) as a deemed resident — only Indian citizens qualify u/s 6(1A).
  • Requiring physical stay in India for deemed residence — stay is irrelevant for s.6(1A).
  • Including business-controlled-in-India / profession-set-up-in-India income within 'foreign sources' — these are excluded from foreign sources.
  • Treating someone exempted from tax abroad as 'liable to tax' there — exemption does not mean liable; for deemed residence the person must be NOT liable to tax in any other country.
Reference: 6(1), 6(1A)
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