India vs Abroad Comparator
Should your next investment go to India or your home market? Model both paths side-by-side — with rupee depreciation, LTCG in both jurisdictions, and DTAA relief approximated.
Your inputs
Adjust assumptionsIndia 12% · US 9.5% · ₹ falls 3.5%/yr
Head-to-head (in USD)
Worldwide income taxed. PFIC (Passive Foreign Investment Company) rules make Indian mutual funds a tax nightmare for US residents — Form 8621 filing required, punitive excess-distribution regime. Consider India-domiciled equity ETFs held directly, or invest via US-domiciled India ETFs (INDA, INDY) instead.. Indian mutual funds are typically classified as PFICs (Passive Foreign Investment Companies) for US tax purposes, which triggers punitive tax rates and Form 8621 filing. Consider India-domiciled equity ETFs held directly or consult a cross-border tax specialist.
India vs Home — how to read the numbers
The most common question NRIs ask on forums is variations of "should I send money back to India to invest, or keep it here?" It rarely gets a straight answer, because the honest answer depends on six independent variables — expected returns in each market, rupee depreciation over the horizon, tax treatment in India, tax treatment in your country of residence, DTAA relief, and remittance friction. This tool lets you set all six and see the head-to-head.
The comparator applies a conservative DTAA approximation: for gains earned in India, the effective total tax equals the higher of the two rates, not the sum — that's what the foreign tax credit is designed to achieve. For US residents, we flag PFIC exposure prominently because Indian mutual funds in a US taxable account are usually a terrible idea unless structured very carefully.
This tool does not recommend any specific investment, fund, stock, or property. It's a scenario modeler. Use it to test your assumptions before you commit real money.
Educational tool — not investment advice
Calculations are based on the assumptions you provide. Tax rules are simplified and change frequently. Verify with a qualified Chartered Accountant or tax professional before acting. Past returns do not guarantee future results. This tool does not recommend any specific investment, fund, stock, or property.