by Resident and Ordinarily Resident (ROR) is an individual who satisfies the conditions for being treated as resident in India and also satisfies the additional conditions for being ordinarily resident. Under the Income tax Act, 2025, an individual is generally treated as ROR when the prescribed conditions relating to residence in India and past residential status are satisfied. An ROR is subject to the widest scope of taxation in India. Generally, income received or accrued in India as well as income accruing or arising outside India may be included in the taxable income, subject to the provisions of the Act and applicable tax treaties. Therefore, ROR status is important for determining the taxability of foreign income.
Basic Conditions for Determining Residential Status:
1. Stay in India for 182 Days or More
An individual is treated as resident in India if he or she stays in India for 182 days or more during the relevant tax year. This is one of the two basic conditions under the Income tax Act, 2025. If the individual satisfies this condition, there is generally no need to satisfy the alternative 60 day condition. The period of stay includes the total number of days spent in India during the relevant tax year. The condition is based on physical presence in India and is applied subject to the special rules provided for Indian citizens, persons of Indian origin and certain other individuals.
2. Stay in India for 60 Days and 365 Days
An individual is generally treated as resident in India if he or she stays in India for 60 days or more during the relevant tax year and has stayed in India for 365 days or more during the four preceding tax years. Both conditions must be satisfied. However, the law provides special modifications to the 60 day requirement for certain Indian citizens and persons of Indian origin, including individuals leaving India for employment abroad and certain visiting individuals. Therefore, while determining residential status, the individual’s circumstances must first be examined to identify whether any special rule applies to the normal 60 day condition.
Residential Status of an Individual under Section 6:
1. Resident and Ordinarily Resident (ROR)
An individual is classified as Resident and Ordinarily Resident (ROR) when the prescribed conditions for residence in India are satisfied and the additional conditions relating to past residence are also fulfilled. An ROR has the widest scope of taxation under the Income tax Act, 2025. Generally, income received or accrued in India is taxable, and foreign income may also be taxable in India, subject to the provisions of the Act and applicable tax treaties. ROR status is therefore important for individuals who have substantial residential and economic connections with India. The classification is determined separately for each tax year.
2. Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR)
An individual is classified as Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR) when the individual is resident in India but satisfies the prescribed conditions for being treated as not ordinarily resident. This category generally applies to certain individuals who have recently become resident in India or have limited past residential connections with India. The scope of taxation for an RNOR is narrower than that of an ROR. Generally, foreign income is not taxable merely because it accrues outside India, subject to the specific conditions relating to income from a business controlled in or a profession set up in India. RNOR status is determined separately for each tax year.
3. Non Resident (NR)
An individual is classified as a Non Resident (NR) when the individual does not satisfy any of the applicable conditions for becoming resident in India under Section 6. A non resident is generally taxable in India on income received in India or income that accrues or arises in India, subject to the specific provisions of the Income tax Act, 2025. Foreign income that is received and accrues outside India is generally outside the Indian tax scope for an NR, subject to applicable provisions. Residential status is determined independently for every tax year based on the individual’s circumstances and prescribed conditions.
Scope of Total Income of a Resident and Ordinarily Resident:
1. Income Received or Deemed to be Received in India
For a Resident and Ordinarily Resident (ROR), income that is received or deemed to be received in India is generally included in total income. The place of receipt is important for determining the taxability of such income. This may include salary received in an Indian bank account, business receipts collected in India, rent received in India or other income received within India. Such income is considered while computing the total income of the ROR under the applicable provisions of the Income tax Act, 2025. The tax treatment may also depend upon specific exemptions, deductions and other provisions.
2. Income Accruing or Arising in India
Income that accrues or arises in India is generally taxable in the hands of a Resident and Ordinarily Resident. Accrual refers to the point at which the taxpayer obtains a right to receive the income, even if the actual payment is received later. Examples may include salary earned for services rendered in India, business income arising from Indian operations, rent from property situated in India and interest arising from Indian sources. Such income is included while determining the total income of the ROR, subject to applicable exemptions, deductions and other provisions of the Income tax Act, 2025.
3. Income Accruing or Arising Outside India
A major feature of ROR status is that foreign income is generally included in the total income. Therefore, income that accrues or arises outside India may be taxable in India even when it is received outside India. For example, foreign salary, foreign business income, foreign rent or foreign investment income may fall within the scope of total income of an ROR. This is different from the general tax treatment applicable to an RNOR or NR. However, the actual tax liability may be affected by provisions relating to foreign tax credit, double taxation relief and applicable tax treaties.
4. Income Received Outside India
Income received outside India may also be included in the total income of a Resident and Ordinarily Resident because the ROR is generally taxable on global income. For example, if an ROR receives interest from a foreign bank account in another country, such income may be considered while computing total income in India. Similarly, foreign dividends, rent or business receipts may fall within the Indian tax scope. The place where the income is received does not by itself exclude it from Indian taxation for an ROR. Applicable exemptions, deductions, foreign tax credit and treaty provisions must also be considered.
5. Income from Business Controlled from India
Income arising outside India from a business controlled from India is included in the total income of an ROR. The location of the business activity may be outside India, but if the business is controlled from India, the income may have Indian tax implications. For example, an ROR may operate a business through an overseas establishment while important management and control functions are carried out from India. The resulting foreign business income may therefore be taxable in India. The actual facts, applicable provisions and any relief available under a tax treaty must be considered while determining the final tax liability.
6. Income from Profession Set Up in India
Income arising outside India from a profession set up in India may also be included in the total income of an ROR. For example, a professional may establish a profession in India and provide services to clients located outside India. The resulting income may accrue outside India but can have tax implications in India under the applicable provisions. Since an ROR is generally taxable on global income, foreign professional income may be included in total income. The nature of the professional activity, place of accrual, applicable deductions and any relief available under a tax treaty should be examined.
7. Global Income
The most important feature of the scope of total income of an ROR is the global income principle. An ROR is generally taxable in India on income earned both within India and outside India. This may include Indian salary, business income, rent and interest as well as foreign salary, foreign business income, foreign dividends, interest and rent. Therefore, becoming an ROR can have significant tax implications for individuals having overseas income or assets. However, the final tax payable may be reduced through eligible deductions, foreign tax credit or relief available under applicable Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements.
8. Income Deemed to Accrue or Arise in India
Income that is deemed to accrue or arise in India is also included in the total income of an ROR according to the applicable provisions. The Income tax Act contains specific rules under which certain income may be treated as arising in India even when the actual transaction or receipt occurs outside India. Examples can include certain income connected with property, assets, business activities or sources located in India. Therefore, an ROR must consider not only income actually accruing in India but also income that the law specifically deems to accrue or arise in India while computing total income.
