Liberalised Remittance Scheme(LRS)

LRS

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) on February 4, 2004. Under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, all resident individuals, including minors, are allowed to freely remit up to USD 2,50,000 per financial for any permissible current or capital account transaction or a combination of both. The Scheme was introduced on February 4, 2004, with a limit of USD 25,000. The LRS limit has been revised in stages consistent with prevailing macro and micro economic conditions. The Scheme is not available to corporates, partnership firms, HUF, Trusts etc. Some negative list prescribed for which remittances cannot be made under LRS. There are do’s and don’ts under LRS. We narrated some common questions and aspects of LRS and it should kept in mind while doing investments under LRS.

1. Can a company invests outside India under LRS?

No, under LRS, all resident individuals, including minors, are allowed to freely remit up to USD 2,50,000 per financial year.

2. Can remittances under the LRS facility be consolidated in respect of family members for purchase of immovable property?

Yes, Remittances under the facility can be consolidated in respect of family members  subject to the individual family members complying with the terms and conditions of the Scheme.

3. One year limit is not sufficient to purchase property outside India under LRS ($250000). So, Can we accumulate fund over multiple years under LRS for high value immovable properties?

No, Unused/ unspent foreign exchange shall be repatriated/ surrendered within 180 days. So, accumulation of fund is not possible. However, one can go with other planning and compliances.

4. Are there any restrictions on the frequency of the remittance?

There are no restrictions on the frequency of remittances under LRS. However, the total amount of foreign exchange purchased from or remitted through, all sources in India during a financial year should be within the cumulative limit of USD 2,50,000.

5. Limit crossed under LRS i.e. $250000 used. Some investments sold and brought back, whether it will reduce the limit already used?

No, not be eligible to make any further remittances under this scheme, even if the  proceeds of the investments have been brought back into the country.

6. Can remittances be made only in US Dollars?

The remittances can be made in any freely convertible foreign currency.

7. What are the sources of funds under LRS?

Remittances under LRS has to be made out of own funds.

8. Can we use borrowed funds to remit under LRS?

No, borrowed funds cannot be used to remit abroad under LRS for CAPITAL A/C  Transactions.